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31

Omega General Help / Breather hoses: what if you leave them off?

« on: 07 December 2009, 00:06:01 »

There's a lot of talk about breather hoses on here and the implication of not cleaning them. I'm still not entirely sure why we need them other than the obvious answer (that they let the engine breathe) which kind of brings me to my question: what would happen if I just disconnected them and left them open to the atmosphere?

Presumably I'd lose some of the oil that is present as a mist in the crankcase cover. But how much and how fast? If it just means adding a bit of oil once a month, isn't that less hassle? Or do they do something else?

Mention it because I bought the current car nearly five months ago and have yet to find the time to get around to this job. Struggle to find time to sleep!

J

32

Omega General Help / Inside the oil filter housing - how is it held on?

« on: 01 November 2009, 12:04:28 »

Got a 51 plate CDX.

Managed to finally get the oil filter cap off. Seems the last person to do the oil had poor eyesight and read 15Nm as 15k Nm.

Anyway, finally off but housing loose and cannot see a nut or anything to tighten. There's a round silver bit it sits on but cannot see what is in it. Allen key? How do I tighten the housing back on?

Chucking down with rain this morning and now wet through and covered in oil. How I love home mechanicking ...

33

Omega General Help / Breather hoses

« on: 01 November 2009, 21:30:57 »

1) My new miggie has just gone past 40k and can see no record of the breather system being cleaned. presumably now overdue?

2) Maintenance guide here shows engine out and quite a long way down the back. Horrible memories of trying to get to my old Omega dispack coming crashing back! How easy is it to clean the breathers out with the engine in situ?

34

Omega General Help / Advice required: buying exhaust

« on: 01 October 2007, 18:20:15 »

Greetings all.

BACKGROUND: I own a 1994 (one of the first!) Omegas. Great workhorse, 2.5V6 manual (CD). However, the other day I cogged it down a couple to overtake on the motorway and blew the wadding clean out of the silencer and blocked the tailpipe exit. Obviously this caused a little back-pressure and I blew the top of one of my centre boxes clean out. Needless to say I now need to get a new exhaust from the cats back.

QUESTION: did a quick google and came up with the following site:

http://www.onlineautomotive.co.uk/product_details.php?system_id=6104&type=system&manufacturer=54&model=411&model_type=6104&product_cat=1&product_type=Any&keywords=&startpos=0&max=10

Looks too good to be true. Anyone know if these people are safe or are there some hidden charges somewhere? Has anyone tried the parts? Are they somewhat substandard, perhaps?

Any advice welcome. Embarrassing driving at the moment with the racket coming from underneath my seat!

J.

35

Car Parts, bits For Sale & Wanted / Wing mirror parts - please move to wanted section

« on: 24 April 2010, 11:57:48 »

Some little scrotes decided to vandalise my near-side wing mirror during the week. I think I can get away with just new glass and the plastic casing at the back. Question is: is there anyone near Aylesbury who might have some spare parts kicking around for a 2001 facelift CDX saloon?

Unfortunately don't have enough posts to put this in the parts section.

Cheers.

J

PS. For those wanting a laugh. The local Vauxhall stealers have just quoted £78 for the plastic back and the replacement glass plus a further £17 for a can of paint. Unbelievable.

36

General Car Chat / Monaro (again)

« on: 13 May 2011, 21:07:44 »

Took a 6 litre Monaro VXR for a test drive last Friday. What a car! Drives like a dream. Not savage but quick when you floor it. Ride quality superb; no idea how they make it so smooth with such skinny tyres. Went round corners like it was on rails.

Downside: boot was absolutely miniscule. Someone's moved the fuel tank into it. Anyone know why? Euro regulations or something? Weight distribution? Looks a pretty mickey mouse job.

Also, steering was heavy a fck to park. Is that usual or has the part that tells it to lighten up the steering when not moving bust?

Here's where some intelligence would be useful: dealer stated the suspension setup etc is completely different on the 6.0L opposed to the 5.7L. Said it was a completely different car and the 5.7L was a heap. Anyone know how true this is?

Cheers,

J

37

General Car Chat / Monaro parts

« on: 30 March 2011, 21:14:33 »

Looking at the way petrol is going if I don't get a Monaro soon, I never will. So, seriously considering an upgrade, or maybe keep my miggy and get a Monaro for weekend fun.

Question is: how much will it cost me to service? Anyone any idea where you can get oil filters and how much they are? Air filters?

Went up my local parts shop and it was on their computer system but no parts listed so no prices!

Guessing some guys here have probably played or worked with one?

38

General Car Chat / Cleaning out breather hoses

« on: 30 March 2011, 20:10:53 »

Thought I'd share a little home inspiration.

Was giving my breathers a good clean out yesterday when my eye fell upon an oil suction pump and a can of petrol. The connection was made and a suck of petrol later I was pumping petrol straight down the black plastic (forgotten what the bit in the centre is called) holes. Did the job a treat.

Not sure what it'll do to the rubber on my suction pump but I left it to dry thoroughly before a quick layer of oil was applied so hopefully OK.

J

39

General Car Chat / Miggy

« on: 30 March 2011, 20:31:37 »

Saw a £500 miggy estate for sale in Aylesbury at the side of the Elmhurst Road (ring road round from the A418) on Monday night. Looked pretty clean as I swept by. Not sure what spec but looked like a 2.6. Might be worth a look if anyone is in the area or looking.

40

General Car Chat / Modeo radio code

« on: 02 January 2011, 12:57:44 »

Missus has a Mondeo but the code that came with it clearly isn't right! About to be locked out permanently if I mess up much more.

Anyone know a way round this or know anyone near Aylesbury who could unlock it?

41

General Car Chat / Astra drivers manual

« on: 02 January 2011, 13:48:24 »

Having a bit of a clear out and just found a drivers manual for a mk iii Astra.

Free to anyone in the area!

42

General Car Chat / Thanks to TheBoy - tech 2 upgrade

« on: 13 April 2010, 22:55:50 »

Many thanks to TheBoy for the tech 2 upgrade. Top notch job at a VERY reasonable price!

Journey back down the 413 averaged 30mpg - never had that from the auto before. Almost back to what I had with the old manual. It will be interesting to see how it gets on tomorrow with a real journey.

Definitely smoother gear changes (less whiplash) and seems to change up earlier (presumably helping the mpg.) Overall a much better drive.

I'll give the breathers another clear out with the next oil change. I'm guessing I probably give it a bit more pedal work than the previous owners.

Many thanks,

J

43

General Discussion Area / Review: Omega 2.5 CDX Manual for sale

« on: 04 May 2009, 00:12:20 »

Saw this car http://www.autoexposure.co.uk/vehicle.cfm?Id=AETV19545764

In case anyone else is thinking of looking here's my assessment.

1) bad rust on rear offside wheel arches plus osme other scuffs and odd rust patches.
2) Searching on tick over - air flow meter?
3) Near side front tyre worn way more than off-side although one may have been replaced.
4) Pulls to left on braking although maybe fluid just need replacing.
5) After a run when I pulled up it stalled and didn't want to restart.
6) Bit milky under oil cap and when I got back from 5 minute run it actually had water droplet on the oil cap.
7) Coolant pretty much boiled dry.

Strong smell of oil and smoke rising from engine after 5 minute drive - rocker covers need replacing?

He's asking £1500. Reckon he'll be lucky to get £500. Engine pulls OK though and gearbox was good.

44

General Discussion Area / How much is it worth?

« on: 25 April 2009, 14:20:53 »

Speaking in a hypothetical scenario. How much could I expect to get for my CD?

L plate (1994)
105k miles (geniune!)
2.5 CD
Only rust is a blemish at the bottom corner of a few of the doors.
1 rear light lens has a crack with epoxy on it to keep the rain out.
Exhuast pretty new, 2 new tires on the back, did the discs and pads last December... or was it November? 6 months ago anyway. Upholstery good although leather around the gear knob is a little scuffed.

Ideas?

Looking for a new car and wondering whether to trade in or give someone here first dibs when I'm ready to see the old girl go. Sad really, I've changed the oil every 4k miles and looked after her.

45

General Discussion Area / 3l MV6 in autotrader

« on: 24 April 2009, 12:08:12 »

Just seen a 3l MV6 in autotrader. mint, apparently with 130k on the clock.

Asking £2.2k. Sounds rather a lot, doesn't it?

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