Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: CoolHand on 14 January 2010, 06:54:28

Title: Strange smells and readings
Post by: CoolHand on 14 January 2010, 06:54:28
Morning all, I hope someone can help.
I have just driven home from work and noticed a strange smell inside the car, it smelt a little bit like hot dirty water (don't hold me to that though) and around 5 mins later my battery light came on, the power steering failed and the temp gauge was at the top on the red.
I limped home and upon checking under the bonnet the engine wasn't over hot...
I have no idea what has happened, hopefully the wealth of knowledge on here may prove helpful.
The battery is only 4 weeks old and is the correct one... The car has anti-freeze in it... oil level ok... auto choke working fine... heater working fine. The car is a 3ltr elite (facelift) auto. Hopefully these symptoms may ring a bell and come up with some suggestions.
Thanks in advance  :(
Title: Re: Strange smells and readings
Post by: johnnycboy on 14 January 2010, 07:29:49
Alternator. Belt hasn't snapped as it, pulley also may have seized. HTH
Title: Re: Strange smells and readings
Post by: johnnycboy on 14 January 2010, 07:31:59
That runs everything that as just failed including water pump. As for the smell that may be where crap or stagnant water has just burned up from the overheating
Title: Re: Strange smells and readings
Post by: devonkev on 14 January 2010, 07:44:04
Water pump will be on the cambelt!
Title: Re: Strange smells and readings
Post by: johnnycboy on 14 January 2010, 07:45:45
Quote
Water pump will be on the cambelt!

not on a v6
Title: Re: Strange smells and readings
Post by: The Red Baron on 14 January 2010, 07:48:31
as john says, it sounds like aux belt &/or tensioner failure :y
Title: Re: Strange smells and readings
Post by: Andy B on 14 January 2010, 08:29:29
Quote
Water pump will be on the cambelt!

Yours does though on a 4 pot.  :y
Title: Re: Strange smells and readings
Post by: CoolHand on 14 January 2010, 08:37:28
Had a new water pump about 8 months ago as well as new cam belt and HBV. I'll have a look at the belts now and get back to you.
Title: Re: Strange smells and readings
Post by: CoolHand on 14 January 2010, 08:42:43
Jesus christ! All belts snapped or off the pullies... Joy!! Didn't see it earlier as it was dark. Looking forward to the bill for this one. Thanks fellas for your help  :'(
Title: Re: Strange smells and readings
Post by: Andy B on 14 January 2010, 08:45:50
Quote
Jesus christ! All belts snapped or off the pullies... Joy!! Didn't see it earlier as it was dark. Looking forward to the bill for this one. Thanks fellas for your help  :'(

ALL belts?  :-? Hopefully you mean just the one long 'fan belt' (auxillary belt if you want to be correct) has snapped!  :y
A belt is around £20 on Trade Club

Omega
Part Number Retail Price Normal Trade Trade Club
2.5/2.6/3.0/3.2 with air con. 3181720 £31.65 £26.90 £19.22
Title: Re: Strange smells and readings
Post by: CoolHand on 14 January 2010, 09:05:17
Thanks Andy, yes it is just the one long aux belt. I got a bit excited (in a bad mood way) when I saw the remnants of the belt. Just ordered one from 'my parts man' and with discount £18 and got a mate fitting it tonight.
Thanks for all the help and advice, much appreciated  :y
Title: Re: Strange smells and readings
Post by: Andy B on 14 January 2010, 09:16:17
Quote
Thanks Andy, yes it is just the one long aux belt. I got a bit excited (in a bad mood way) when I saw the remnants of the belt. Just ordered one from 'my parts man' and with discount £18 and got a mate fitting it tonight.
Thanks for all the help and advice, much appreciated  :y


No idea of what make of belt you've bought, but there were some pattern belts about that were  bit short. Easy to fit though, hardest bit is trying to remember what goes where.
Title: Re: Strange smells and readings
Post by: Shackeng on 14 January 2010, 09:19:08
Quote
Morning all, I hope someone can help.
I have just driven home from work and noticed a strange smell inside the car, it smelt a little bit like hot dirty water (don't hold me to that though) and around 5 mins later my battery light came on, the power steering failed and the temp gauge was at the top on the red.
I limped home and upon checking under the bonnet the engine wasn't over hot...
I have no idea what has happened, hopefully the wealth of knowledge on here may prove helpful.
The battery is only 4 weeks old and is the correct one... The car has anti-freeze in it... oil level ok... auto choke working fine... heater working fine. The car is a 3ltr elite (facelift) auto. Hopefully these symptoms may ring a bell and come up with some suggestions.
Thanks in advance  :(

Hope this wasn't for too long. :-?
Title: Re: Strange smells and readings
Post by: Elite Pete on 14 January 2010, 09:59:11
Quote
Morning all, I hope someone can help.
I have just driven home from work and noticed a strange smell inside the car, it smelt a little bit like hot dirty water (don't hold me to that though) and around 5 mins later my battery light came on, the power steering failed and the temp gauge was at the top on the red.
I limped home and upon checking under the bonnet the engine wasn't over hot...
I have no idea what has happened, hopefully the wealth of knowledge on here may prove helpful.
The battery is only 4 weeks old and is the correct one... The car has anti-freeze in it... oil level ok... auto choke working fine... heater working fine. The car is a 3ltr elite (facelift) auto. Hopefully these symptoms may ring a bell and come up with some suggestions.
Thanks in advance  :(
I hope this hasn't caused any more damage :(
Title: Re: Strange smells and readings
Post by: ffcgary1 on 14 January 2010, 10:24:11
This is a good time to replace the AUX belt tensioner as well as these are often the cause of belt failure or oil contaimination too.
Title: Re: Strange smells and readings
Post by: CoolHand on 16 January 2010, 12:36:38
Nah it was only on the red for about 3 mins Pete, luckily it happened close to home.
Thanks to everyone for their help and advice, just fitting the new belt now - VX part  :y