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[steve6367]

I thought I would try a new post as think this may got lost tacked onto the end of my 'strange codes' post.

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=122236.msg1556147#msg1556147

I got the new radiator fitted, but it still runs rough and there are wisps of exhaust gas (based on smell) coming from the expansion tank.

https://www.dropbox.com/sc/o70sbysv77ybtzz/_N52u0sVlh

I assume this is HG? Are there any other tests I should do to be sure before I try and take it apart?

Are there any OOF mechanics down South as not sure the HG is actually within my ability.

Many thanks

Steve

[JamesV6CDX]

Yep, I've done a couple of these HGs lately

Exhaust fumes in header tank is conclusive. Seen this on four 2.2 omegas this year, one being my own!!

It's not a bad job to do, doable in a day leisurely

Where are you located?

[steve6367]

I am in Bournemouth, in Dorset.

Tempted to give it a go, but don't want to just end up with a pile of bits! I have exhaust manifold gaskets and bolts and timing belt kit here.

From your experience should I be getting the head skimed? Or is that ott?

Steve

[steve6367]

Any thoughts on the skim? Some post say you must some say no, but how do I tell once it's off?

[JamesV6CDX]

If its not overheated I've never had to skim one yet

[steve6367]

I've never seen the temp rise over 90c - did about 2 miles after it stopped so hope not 

Assume sunny Bournemouth is too far for you James?

[JamesV6CDX]

Not at all subject to a suitable date, but I would urge you to have a go DIY

[steve6367]

Ok James, I shall attempt to man up and give it a go!

Is this VX only for the parts? Or are there known good others?

Steve

[steve6367]

Any takers on where to get the HG kit from? I've got a couple of days this week so would like to order something today, any of the ebay options any good? Or should I be going to VX with my money?

Many thanks

Steve

[plym ian]

I've always ordered from eBay can't remember how much kits are, but make sure you change head bolts as well or if feeling flush go Vauxhall. Also could be a good time to change cam belt and water pump if it's due

[cd 2.2]

If its not overheated I've never had to skim one yet

I have had experience of 2 HG repairs now, BOTH times the head was warped ... First was 16 thousandths of an inch warped (my own car) and second was 12 thousandths of an inch warped! It's extremely unlikely that an alloy head of any kind would have 0 warp after a HGF due to the nature of the the stresses involved ... My advice is ALWAYS take the head to a good machine shop to get it tested, A full head skim should cost no more than £30 at any reputable place to get done if you strip the head yourself first! !DO NOT HAVE MORE THAN 1MM OF MATERIAL REMOVED!

If a person said to me that they were changing my head gasket but their opinion was that it had no warp, I would seriously worry about how long the job would last and not let them near it  You just can't reliably tell if it is or isn't warped without precision equipment ... "it's not warped I will change the gasket" is just a lazy, corner cutting exercise IMHO   

As much as people will hate me for saying this ... The Elring headset from Euro car parts is quite good (it's what's on my 2.2 that I did in january), Also the head bolts from the same place are good (again fitted to mine and came in an Elring box)! Prices are not to bad I think the head set was around the £45 mark and the head bolts were maybe £25 mark! I used a circoli water pump also from ecp (no issues as of yet with it) around £35 ish??  and a Gates Powergrip timing belt kit from a local independent factors for around £96.50!

It's a straight forward job really but the head bolts are a pain and I would suggest a 2ft breaker bar for taking them out and re-fitting on the angular torque stages (trust me they are tight)! I threw this together when I did the job, It may be of some use to you http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=121234.msg1542242#msg1542242
Take your time with it and it will take no more than 3 days (should only require 2 to be fair) and when you strip your head down don't forget to remove the valve spring seats before you take it in to have it skimmed (They are like small steel washers that sit under the valve springs to stop them eating the alloy head  )

It's a job well worth doing if you intend to keep the car ... loads of 2.2's see the scrappy just because of HGF which is a shame, also don't be surprised if your manifold has a crack in it, this seems to happen when the head gasket goes

[JamesV6CDX]

On the subject of cutting corners, the  circoli water pump is the brand that has by and large been failing on v6 models. And on yours it's Cambelt driven.

Out of interest did you measure the heads alleged distortion yourself, or take the word of a machine shop who have an interest in doing the skimming work?

I have changed numerous v6 and 4 pot head gaskets (which have not overheated) and every one is still going strong.

The mode of failure is through poor coolant maintenance rotting the composite material. This causes corrosion and pitting, but not "stresses" and a failure due to poor coolant maintenance will not cause warpage. (The gasket is the weakest point thus takes any stresses"

How many of these have you done bar your own? Look through my posts and see how many head gaskets I've changed since 2007 on GM engines of many varieties. Many on my own projects.

Incidentally, none to my knowledge have failed again.

[cd 2.2]

Checked for warp myself first (as you do) and the machine shop I use is one I personally trust and have used for years .. It was 100% warped and you could barely tell when you checked it !
If you have had very high success rate of non warped heads then I guess you're lucky, very lucky! I have also changed a head gasket on an Austin princess very recently and in the past many of my own cars including a daewoo nexia 1.5 (made of butter Gm derived engine) .. Several metro's and other rover K series junk (I hate working on those engines), a couple of escort 1.4's and rebuilt an entire fiesta 1.1 pushrod engine! Not to mention the SD1 2600 SE I had about 13 years ago that needed major head work to get it going again and the austin A40 Farina that I rebuilt and got an ancient austin A series engine un seized and running again!
As far as I'm concerned it's "normal" procedure to have a machine shop test and check any cylinder head for warps/cracks when you change the head gasket ... It's how I was taught (and would have been shot if I did otherwise)! I have had very few instances when the head wasn't warped (and this has happened), Just always best to be safe rather than wing it and hope for the best ... How are you checking for warp ?? I would use an engineers rule and feeler gauges on a stripped head myself before sending it to the shop 

[JamesV6CDX]

I'm not disagreeing in terms of checking by a shop is best. Just sharing my experience

If nothing else, we agree re K series!!!

[cd 2.2]

I'm not disagreeing in terms of checking by a shop is best. Just sharing my experience

If nothing else, we agree re K series!!!

Oh yes, wet liners and all. They truly are great when they are good but terrible at every other time 

It's now worrying me about the circoli water pump I fitted  What mileage do they tend to fail at? I have only 2500 on it so far with no upset
I would say along with others (hopefully) that the 2.2 16v is a simple engine to take apart and reassemble, once you get through the electrical gubbins