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[6cylinderman]

I've just purchased a 2002 3.2 MV6 Omega with 50k miles on the clock.  It is an ex-police car and as such should've been well maintained.  I'm waiting on the print out of what work has been carried out to the car and when.  However, the chap who was selling it was straight up and told me that the head gaskets would need replaced as they were "on their way out".  The car starts from stone cold and runs sweet as a nut.  I didn't see any sign of blue smoke.  I'll provide more info on the service history as I get it.

In terms of diagnosis, I'm only going on what the seller has told me.  I've read on this forum that there are other factors which give the symtoms of head gasket failure.  However, it was a police mechanic who told me this and I assume he knows what he's talking about.

I am not a very advanced mechanic, so I'll be taking the car to a garage.  I've read in the FAQ and Maintenance Guide sections of this forum that it would be advisable to replace the cambelt, tensioner and water pump whilst doing this job.  I was wondering what else should be done (apart from fluids & filters) that you guys would reccommend as part of a good thorough baseline service?  And where do most of you buy your parts?  Does anyone have any reccommendations for brands and suppliers of the above?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

TR

[Kevin Wood]

I would run the car for a while and see what happens. Garages are notoriously bad for mis-diagnosing head gasket failures on these engines and it'll be a very costly job for nothing if they do. I find it hard to believe that they would fail at that mileage.

My advice would be to run if for some time and look for signs of contamination or loss of coolant and oil and any other odd symptoms then post them here. Often oil cooler failure is mis-diagnosed as head gasket failure on these engines and it's much easier and cheaper to fix.

Kevin

[Kevin Wood]

To add some general info. The cam belt and tensioner pullies should have been replaced at 40k / 4 years. If you get the service history and this isn't mentioned, it needs to be done ASAP. Water pump replacement is easy while this is done, although at only 50k miles I personally might be inclined to leave it until the next cam belt is due.

Best place for parts is Vauxhall in most cases. Joing autobahnstormers and get a trade club card and for most parts it's not worth looking elsewhere. One or two parts that are very expensive at Vauxhall are easily source on ebay. Best policy is to ask here for recommendations as and when you need things.

We would recommend you forget the 20k service intervals specified by Vauxhall and change the oil and filter at least every 6k at the most.

Cleaning the breathers is important on these engines to prevent other problems developing. An annual check to ensure they are clear is probably a good policy.

These engines also suffer if the coolant is allowed to get old, so use the Vauxhall red long life coolant and change it regularly. Every 2 years is probably sensible although the red coolant is actually specified for 5 years life.

Automatic gearboxes (if you've got one) suffer from problems if the fluid is neglected so this should probably be changed around 60k as a preventative measure.

Kevin

[6cylinderman]

Thanks for the advice, Kevin.  I'm in the process of trying to find out more about the car's history.  The gentleman that I bought it off will deliver it for me and offered to take it straight to a mechanic to get the work done.  I'm tempted to just tell him to take it to my house so that I can examine things more in depth and give you better info of the problems.

[TheBoy]

ex-plod with 50k  

When (If!) that history turns up, that would warrant double checking!

[Kevin Wood]

ex-plod with 50k

Does seem odd, that, although in NI you run out of road quicker than on the mainland!

Is the car currently a runner?

Depends on your capabilities, of course, but I would certainly not get it delivered direct to a garage. Give it a once-over and post what you find here and I'm sure you'll get plenty of advice that will give you a more cost-effective fix than a garage poking around and changing things left right and centre.

Kevin

[psnimv6]

ex-plod with 50k  

When (If!) that history turns up, that would warrant double checking!

police  with very low mileage are often sold in n ireland my omega had 20400 and a few weels later the same man sold a 03 3.2 with only 17000 miles,saying that some of the cars i have seen him advertise have 100000 miles +,i know the dealer very well and he does nothing to any of the cars he does not even wash them to help sell them he sells them as he gets them from the plod not a auction he is contracted direct to n ireland police and anybody wanting a police car with low mileage then he is your man. i was recently talking to him about selling his cars on ebay and he said he might start and said he would deliver to the mainland no problem . since i bought my omega last christmas 2006 i would say he has sold at least 4- 6 omegas with less than 50k and all omegas in n reland are manuals,

[Kevin Wood]

He sounds like a useful chap to know...

Kevin

[TheBoy]

OK, sounds like lower mileage for plod cars in NI

I only query, as Omega is very easy to clock, as it wears well.  And current stats put 1 in 4 UK cars have false mileage....

Seen it a few times over here where people have bought low mileage, ex-cop cars, and 'the history is in the post', which obviously never turns up, as the mileage is incorrect!

[psnimv6]

these cars are bought direct from the plod and i when he collected mine from the transport division i was waiting in the mans yard so he had not got time to even take it of the lorry never mind clock it and i don,t think he would be so spupid to risk losing such a good contract that he has had for at least 15 years if some one double checked the mileage with the plod, if he was at that he would have being found out by now i would have thought

[6cylinderman]

ex-plod with 50k

Does seem odd, that, although in NI you run out of road quicker than on the mainland!

Is the car currently a runner?

Depends on your capabilities, of course, but I would certainly not get it delivered direct to a garage. Give it a once-over and post what you find here and I'm sure you'll get plenty of advice that will give you a more cost-effective fix than a garage poking around and changing things left right and centre.

Kevin

The car is a runner.  I just need to charge/replace the battery, and fit a power steering resevoir otherwise it will run.  I've decided to get it delivered straight to my house.  I will have her on Saturday morning, all being well.  Rest assured, I'll be straight on here with my findings!  The more I read, the more I reckon it's not the head gasket.  Fingers crossed!
As psnimv6 says,  the guy who we bought our cars off is genuine.  I know people seem to have their opinions on ex-plod cars, but these are worth the risk.  I bought mine for £2250.  I'm sure it would be worth you guys on the mainland bringing one over.  I've had quotes of £250 for pretty much anywhere in the UK.  I'm sure psnimv6 or myself would be happy to give the car a once over for you and take a few snaps if anyone on this forum is interested.  I only live about 10 miles away from this guy.