Head gaskets or change engine.

[RobG]

Cant paperclip as no eml bulb, but no codes if I plug in a reader.

As RobG says, 3.0 are NOT OBDII compliant 

Neither is the 2.5, what the OP is referring to

[jtypecav]

I'm in Bath and have a variety of cheapo readers as I had to get my 2.5 Cavalier / Omega mish-mash talking reliably from a field in somerset!

As others have said, I'd be very surprised if it wasn't lit up like an xmas tree with at least something!

[tunnie]

I'm in Bath and have a variety of cheapo readers as I had to get my 2.5 Cavalier / Omega mish-mash talking reliably from a field in somerset!

As others have said, I'd be very surprised if it wasn't lit up like an xmas tree with at least something!

Indeed, there will be loads of codes 

It needs a bulb put back in the dash and paper-clip test done. 

[Andy B]

Cant paperclip as no eml bulb, but no codes if I plug in a reader.

As RobG says, 3.0 are NOT OBDII compliant 

Neither is the 2.5, what the OP is referring to

 

[martin42]

Ask yourself why the bulb was removed from dashboard,because it has problems the seller was hiding from you 

[MadMark73]

Ask yourself why the bulb was removed from dashboard,because it has problems the seller was hiding from you 

Beginning to look that way.

[MadMark73]

I am now being told by SWMBO (her car), that she dreads having to put fuel in as it doesnt always want to start if the engine is hot.

[tunnie]

To be honest we are going to go around and around in circles, until you get the codes read.

Hot starting could be crank sensor, or number of issues. But you are pishing in the wind without codes 

[RobG]

I am now being told by SWMBO (her car), that she dreads having to put fuel in as it doesnt always want to start if the engine is hot.

Sounds like crank sensor issues as well. As said, whack a bulb in and clip for codes

[MadMark73]

Will take dash out over the weekend and post codes after.

[RobG]

Will take dash out over the weekend and post codes after.

[dbug]

As others have said - poor hot starting likely to be failing crank sensor.

Misfire likely to be due to the oil in the plug wells, caused by failed cam cover gaskets probably due to bunged up breather system.

Water loss probably failed HBV - feel for wetness drivers side down behind plenum.

Failed head gasket on a 2.5 V6 is extremely rare - the other causes listed above are common

[chrisgixer]

Don't trust that garages diagnosis. If we all had a pound for every miss diagnosed head gasket we see on here TB would of had a new server years ago.

As said, add up all the usual common faults on this engine and its easy to end up right where we are now.

Pressure test the system to find the coolant leak, if its not the hbv which is fairly easy test with ac on or off.

[MadMark73]

As others have said - poor hot starting likely to be failing crank sensor.

Misfire likely to be due to the oil in the plug wells, caused by failed cam cover gaskets probably due to bunged up breather system.

Water loss probably failed HBV - feel for wetness drivers side down behind plenum.

Failed head gasket on a 2.5 V6 is extremely rare - the other causes listed above are common

What and where?

[MadMark73]

Don't trust that garages diagnosis. If we all had a pound for every miss diagnosed head gasket we see on here TB would of had a new server years ago.

As said, add up all the usual common faults on this engine and its easy to end up right where we are now.

Pressure test the system to find the coolant leak, if its not the hbv which is fairly easy test with ac on or off.

How do I pressure test the system?