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91

General Car Chat / Astra 56 plate timing chain

« on: 20 November 2020, 17:25:05 »

Step-daughter's Astra 2006 engine failed yesterday - got recovered to a garage who have said the timing chain has gone. They're not prepared to quote yet, but any investigative work is going to cost. Not really enough info to go on so far, so just looking for any advice ATM.

Is this an interference engine? IOW would a timing chain failure result in damage to valves / pistons? For the initial price paid (and its age) it wouldn't surprise me to result in this being a scrapper.

92

Car Parts, bits For Sale & Wanted / Re: For sale, my Aladdins Cave of Parts no longer required.

« on: 20 November 2020, 16:17:07 »

PM sent / incoming

93

General Car Chat / Re: Clean Bill Of Health

« on: 13 November 2020, 17:26:05 »

Nice one

There's been quite a few member's Omegas passing their test this year, now getting to that age where the decent ones are being looked after. I'll keep mine going for as long as I'm physically able to, with as much preventative maintenance as possible. Previous years of anti-corrosion work will pay dividends, as it's the tin worm that gets them in the end - isn't that right Terry?

94

General Car Chat / Re: Cam cover & trunking modifications

« on: 14 October 2020, 18:51:26 »

Quote from: Nick W on 14 October 2020, 18:40:31

I think you're making mountains out of molehills, and are still not addressing the 'fault'.

I've owned and maintained Omegas for many years, so I'm familiar with the problems that the V6 engine has. I have great respect for your knowledge of things automotive Nick, and your response came as no surprise to me. Just pulling ONE plug lead doesn't give you any indication as to what's going on under those covers. This modification allows easy inspection of everything between the inlet and exhaust banks, so that can't be a bad thing surely.

The expansion differential between plastic and aluminium is perhaps something also worth considering.

95

General Car Chat / Cam cover & trunking modifications

« on: 14 October 2020, 18:18:08 »

I thought this may be of interest to some, either to frown or smile about.

The thinking behind the idea is for easy inspection and monitoring of potential leaking gaskets (or ingress of water) into the plug wells. The usual signs of gasket failure result in oil seeping down the front of the engine (behind the cam cover backplate), sometimes misdiagnosed as a leaking oil pressure switch, because let's face it, we don't or sometimes can't get to the plug leads / caps easily to pull a plug and have a look.... then of course it's too late before the messy business starts. Also on the rare occasion that the cam cover gaskets require replacement, this modification doesn't require multiple gasket changes - just exhaust or inlet covers as required.

There's also the issue of access, hereby addressed by removal of the plastic trunking, with all wiring grouped together and easily shifted a few inches either way for even better viewing. Two vacuum pipes have been re-routed on the 135 side of the engine to reduce congestion on the 246 side.

It goes without saying that it may not be such an easy modification on DBW engines, but for the 2.5 / 3.0 - I consider weekly engine bay checks to be a breeze compared to previously.

Some comparison pics between an unmodified engine and one modified, as well as pics of the separation process.

As original 246 side.

Modified 246 side.

As original 135 side.

Modified 135 side.

Note to avoid any confusion - one (original is a CDX with cruise control) and other (modified is a CD without cruise).

96

General Discussion Area / Re: Word Association.

« on: 14 October 2020, 16:57:43 »

Twelve

97

General Discussion Area / Re: Word Association.

« on: 10 October 2020, 19:01:35 »

Seven

98

General Discussion Area / You know when Autumn has arrived, when....

« on: 25 September 2020, 17:32:20 »

.... the struts can no longer hold the tailgate up, and it falls down on your head. They were on their way out a few years ago, but the warmer weather gave them an extended lease of life.