Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Chopsdad on 24 December 2007, 16:44:59
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Forget the Tale of Two Cities and all that cobblers, here's an on going saga that is The Tale of my Wife's Meriva.
I last posted on this topic in late October - breathers were cleaned again, new hose fitted, new steering bits and new radiator after they broke the mounts...... :(
Well I had a look today and this is what I saw......
(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o317/chopsdad/IMG_2162.jpg)
Throttle body :(
(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o317/chopsdad/IMG_2163.jpg)
Inside of disconnected breather hose :(
(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o317/chopsdad/IMG_2164.jpg)
Filler cap :(
(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o317/chopsdad/IMG_2165.jpg)
Dipstick - sludge evident on the end :(
Rocker cover gasket replaced 25 October to fix the problem ::)
Water level low, oil level ok, no oil in water.
Needs to go back into the garage for them to clean the breathers, change the oil and Forte flush the engine again (done April 07) - what do I need to get them to replace this time? (http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o317/chopsdad/confused0024.gif)
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THE WHOLE CAR MATE ;D ;D ;D
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THE WHOLE CAR MATE ;D ;D ;D
I'm getting there Gary ;D
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Looks like an head gasket problem doesnt it
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clean it all out and get rid bud looks like big probs on way ::)
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clean it all out and get rid bud looks like big probs on way ::)
I seem to recall it's under warranty?
Either way, it does seem like a HG problem
Get the head removed, checked out, skimmed if needsbe, and replaced....
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We have been saying head related problems for some time havn't we.....gasket or cracked/porous head.
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We have been saying head related problems for some time havn't we.....gasket or cracked/porous head.
Wow. That's the nicest way I've seen that particular sentiment put. Nice :y
Jim
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We have been saying head related problems for some time havn't we.....gasket or cracked/porous head.
It is still under warranty until next March and it appears they are still following the Vx flowchart.
Even though it's an ecotec engine, it does seem to me to keep pointing back to HGF.
I'll get iy booked in for early Jan and we'll see how it fairs this time - I had to arrange for it to be booked in 3 times last time. Once for a look, then back when the parts arrived, then back again cos they never ordered them in the first place.
This time I'll take the car up, show the pics and get the HG ordered in - just in case :-/
If it is the HG and it is replaced, it will have new rocker cover gasket, new radiator, steering rack/column, and umpteen engine flushes and oil services free of charge.
Is it likely to cause any medium term damage that I should worry about - ie next 2 years or so?
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Only to your wallet mate.
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:)If such a god awful car needs so much replacing at what i guess is a low mileage & if you replace all said items you'll almost have done as Gary said & replaced the car anyway. That sounds ok all under warranty but it'll probably last 'til just after warranty expires & do it again at your expense.
Get it done now then offload it like a dose. Seems you got a bad one.
Only possible problem,does Mrs Chops love or hate the car? Could influence your decision. :-/
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All 4 pot Ecotecs suffer from HGF unfortunately
At lower mileage, I suspect gasket rather than head, but one cannot be sure...
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Sorry to hear this Mark. Personally I would get it fixed and trade it, quick. :(
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After all the trouble you have had I would be asking for either a replacement vehicle or money back as the one you have is "Not Fit for Purpose" under the Sale of Goods Act.
And it is the SUPPLIER who is responsible .. NOT the MANUFACTURER
http://www.dti.gov.uk/consumers/fact-sheets/page38311.html
Have a go at them .. what have you got to lose ?
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Nice idea Entwood, but the supplier was a firm in Sheffield, I bought the 6m old demo and I've been getting it fixed locally by Vx in Carlisle.
Also the warranty stamps are missing.........but I do have confirmation of the oil changes etc done by Vx.
A nearly 3 year old car, with 25,000 miles is likely to get swapped for another similar car with unknown history even if I were successful.
I'll let them treat me to a new HG and run it for another 2m - check regularly in the meantime - and whizz it back in for a check up at least 1m before the warranty runs out.
It has 4 new tyres, sweet gearbox and apart from all the engine work, that's been free so far, it actually runs well. :-/
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mines a late 2002 same model and has had 2 HG since i bought it from a dealer near stansted.
First one done under dealers own warranty and the garage used double glazing sealant on the rocker cover gasket :-X
Second time under a warranty i bought separately at Nationwide Auto Centre in Cambridge.
Both times the head was skimmed (apparently)
Nationwide would have charged me just over £500 if i had of been paying.
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mines a late 2002 same model and has had 2 HG since i bought it from a dealer near stansted.
First one done under dealers own warranty and the garage used double glazing sealant on the rocker cover gasket :-X
Second time under a warranty i bought separately at Nationwide Auto Centre in Cambridge.
Both times the head was skimmed (apparently)
Nationwide would have charged me just over £500 if i had of been paying.
My dads HG failed at 95k due to crap dealer servicing.
My 2.2 is on 106k and its orginal HG.
Some garages too easily jump to HG when its other issues....
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mines a late 2002 same model and has had 2 HG since i bought it from a dealer near stansted.
First one done under dealers own warranty and the garage used double glazing sealant on the rocker cover gasket :-X
Second time under a warranty i bought separately at Nationwide Auto Centre in Cambridge.
Both times the head was skimmed (apparently)
Nationwide would have charged me just over £500 if i had of been paying.
My dads HG failed at 95k due to crap dealer servicing.
My 2.2 is on 106k and its orginal HG.
Some garages too easily jump to HG when its other issues....
Not mine Tunnie - they seem to either want to leave it till last or don't know how to diagnose problems.
The first time I simply went to clean the breathers and they were full of snot - way more than there should have been so in it went to Vx. They cleaned them out, flushed the oil and ran the car for over an hour and felt HG was ok. It then went back in 5/6m later as it was full again. Cleaned again and new rocker cover gasket given as likely cause. Now just 2m later and it's worse than ever - never had any on filler cap before and I'm starting to get concerned - I may have to take the kids out in mine :o
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mines a late 2002 same model and has had 2 HG since i bought it from a dealer near stansted.
First one done under dealers own warranty and the garage used double glazing sealant on the rocker cover gasket :-X
Second time under a warranty i bought separately at Nationwide Auto Centre in Cambridge.
Both times the head was skimmed (apparently)
Nationwide would have charged me just over £500 if i had of been paying.
My dads HG failed at 95k due to crap dealer servicing.
My 2.2 is on 106k and its orginal HG.
Some garages too easily jump to HG when its other issues....
Not mine Tunnie - they seem to either want to leave it till last or don't know how to diagnose problems.
The first time I simply went to clean the breathers and they were full of snot - way more than there should have been so in it went to Vx. They cleaned them out, flushed the oil and ran the car for over an hour and felt HG was ok. It then went back in 5/6m later as it was full again. Cleaned again and new rocker cover gasket given as likely cause. Now just 2m later and it's worse than ever - never had any on filler cap before and I'm starting to get concerned - I may have to take the kids out in mine :o
Cash in the Meriva, and get Mrs Chopsdad an Omega Estate ;)