Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: t5frankie on 30 October 2011, 13:15:22

Title: gearbox issue
Post by: t5frankie on 30 October 2011, 13:15:22
Hi after travelling 150 miles to pick up my first omega a nice 3.0 elite w reg facelift model, it test drove ok (cold engine)  however on the way home the auto box developed a problem and the oil smelled burnt, it would lose power and the gear changing got erratic especially in 3rd changing up to 4th, i've looked into this and apparantly the box is sealed and the fluid used is actually discontinued, it drove round the block this morning fine (cold engine) so leads me to suspect it may be not too late if the oil gets changed asap, what is the fluid now that would work the auto box now if dexron iiig is now not available? thanks
Title: Re: gearbox issue
Post by: Shackeng on 30 October 2011, 13:21:20
Sounds like an ATF change is required. As per here:-http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90664.0  :y
Title: Re: gearbox issue
Post by: t5frankie on 30 October 2011, 13:27:29
i know but what is the best fluid to use? as i've heard if you use the wrong type can be detrimental and make it worse
Title: Re: gearbox issue
Post by: Jimbob on 30 October 2011, 13:30:45
Most of us recommend Fuchs Titan 4000 ATF, we get a clun discount from OPIE oils (see parts section)

It may be the fluid is low, or needs changing, there may be something more serious about.

If it was only fluid related, I would expect any change to be dodgy, as its only 3-4? then it could be that solenoid wants changing.

What are the exact symptoms?
High revving?
clunking?
noisy?
Title: Re: gearbox issue
Post by: t5frankie on 30 October 2011, 13:35:21
What are the exact symptoms?
High revving?
clunking?
noisy?

as i said earlier the first thing you notice is the burnt smell when hot, it struggled mostly from 3-4th gear wanted to go into 3rd too early when light on the throttle, uphill it would struggle and 3rd gear was noisy, by the end of the trip back it felt like it hardly had any power at all struggling from idle, but as i said this morning on a cold engine it drove fine round the block
Title: Re: gearbox issue
Post by: Andy H on 30 October 2011, 13:50:45
Chances are that the burning oil smell is from leaking cam cover gaskets dripping oil onto the exhaust manifolds and totally unrelated to the gearbox problem.

A bit of TLC and you should have a motor to be proud of.

The seller will have been aware of the leaking cam covers and poor gear change. They probably got scared by horror stories about the cost of repair. Now might be a good time to renegotiate the price you paid for it?
Title: Re: gearbox issue
Post by: Andy H on 30 October 2011, 13:54:42
If you are not equipped to do the work yourself I would recommend contacting one of the excellent mobile mechanics who post regularly on the forum (or get yourself to one of the weekend meets)
Title: Re: gearbox issue
Post by: tunnie on 30 October 2011, 13:56:21
almost sounds its in limp mode...

Generally the gearbox's are tough, other faults cause them to go into limp
Title: Re: gearbox issue
Post by: t5frankie on 30 October 2011, 14:07:50
he did mention that the cam covers were changed form a different model and now the oil filler cap is at the back on the left hand side, to be honest i paid a good price  for it, there are no warning light that have appeared though to think it was in limp mode
Title: Re: gearbox issue
Post by: RobG on 30 October 2011, 14:30:58
he did mention that the cam covers were changed form a different model and now the oil filler cap is at the back on the left hand side, to be honest i paid a good price  for it, there are no warning light that have appeared though to think it was in limp mode
Hazard a guess that you`ve got metal covers off a Vectra. Would be advisable to replace with the correct Omega covers and do a breather clean at the same time.
Title: Re: gearbox issue
Post by: t5frankie on 30 October 2011, 15:01:22
he said this was a good idea to replace the originals???
Title: Re: gearbox issue
Post by: tunnie on 30 October 2011, 15:06:39
he said this was a good idea to replace the originals???

He's a moron....

Its better to have a blown cam cover gasket, than crank seal  ;)
Title: Re: gearbox issue
Post by: t5frankie on 30 October 2011, 15:10:21
so what would these different cam covers be doing? and what car are they from a v6 vectra?
Title: Re: gearbox issue
Post by: RobG on 30 October 2011, 15:11:13
he said this was a good idea to replace the originals???
The Omega V6 has a different crankcase breather system to the Vectra V6. If you have a blockage of any type in your breather system the camgasket/s will start to leak if fitted with the correct camcovers. If you have a blockage and Vectra metal covers are fitted you are more than likely to blow the front crankshaft seal. I know what`s easier to replace ;)
Title: Re: gearbox issue
Post by: t5frankie on 30 October 2011, 15:24:23
so all i need is the cam covers to convert back to how it was?
Title: Re: gearbox issue
Post by: tunnie on 30 October 2011, 15:26:06
so all i need is the cam covers to convert back to how it was?

... and the gaskets. Only use genuine GM as per the guide and black sealant.
Title: Re: gearbox issue
Post by: t5frankie on 30 October 2011, 15:31:12
ok thanks mate still got the gearbox issue to sort, you think a full fluid change would help as it runs fine when cold and then crap when hot and thats when you can smell burnt oil too
Title: Re: gearbox issue
Post by: tunnie on 30 October 2011, 15:33:44
As discussed earlier, the burnt smell you get is unlikely to be gearbox related. Thats more cam covers, oil in the engine bay heating up and entering the cabin. Gearbox could be in limp mode due to some other sensor fault.

Paperclip the codes as per guide in maintenance section.

Post up your results :)
Title: Re: gearbox issue
Post by: RobG on 30 October 2011, 15:38:46
so all i need is the cam covers to convert back to how it was?
PM sent
Title: Re: gearbox issue
Post by: noel on 30 October 2011, 17:39:05
this may be worth a read for your auto box  ;)
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90664.msg1155631#msg1155631