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[Lordmpl]

Could someone help me with a question here, how hard is it to change a head gasket on a 2.5 V6, I am reasonably mechanically minded, would have a go myself.

If it is too much for me, how much roughly would the bill be to get it done.

Thanks, mark.

[hotel21]

Howdoo Mark

First things first - why change the gaskets?  They rarely fail.

Search on here for oil cooler failure and see if it answers your query better.  Its probably this.....

[Lordmpl]

The reason is I have seen an Omega for sale, its 2 years newer than mine, and is the 2.5, mine is 2.0 16v.

This is what the guy has said about it........ However, sadly the head gasket has got a leak and its running rather rough. Its not totally gone, and some rad weld (free bottle included in sale) will according to the AA sort out the leak. An alternative would be to get a new top end gasket kit.

This is why i was asking.

Thanks, mark.

[hotel21]

Check these threads out....

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1178965550/5#5

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1178273549/0#0

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1177505870/6#6

They should give you some hints and tips on what to ask the seller and at the same time, not give your game away!!

Hope you get a bargain.  

[Lordmpl]

Hi, Thanks for your help, i have asked him some questions, i will see what he comes back with, then let you know. Thanks Again, Mark.  

[ians]

.. 2 years newer than yours.. are you sure?   There is one on ebay which is a 1995 and uses your exact words.  He sounds an honest chap so you may have a bargain.

[Markie]

cylinder heads are not hard to remove or refit......but obviously require a timing belt change afterwards.....a weekend would do it.

Torqueing the head back up is vitally important though....

Id be dubious about a head going on an omega v6 though......as Broocie says oil coolers normally are the weak point

[ians]

does that go for near side as well as offside Markie?  I know access for eg exhaust manifold is nigh on impossible down there.

[Lordmpl]

Yeah, thats the one on ebay......

Yeah its a year newer, and alot cleaner mine is an L, aint had it long, but its done 160,000 now, and is running really bad, idles up and down, engine really tappety, i have done 20,000 in it, since i got it, only paid £200 for it, so has paid its dues. Gonna let the missus have mine, take it to the garage get it running sweet for her, have spent alot on it since i got it, front wishbones, disks and pads, new computer screen, remote locking did not work, so got new one, albeit a cheap version, but works fine.

Will see how it goes with the auction...

Mark.  

[Auto Addict]

Yeah, thats the one on ebay......

Yeah its a year newer, and alot cleaner mine is an L, aint had it long, but its done 160,000 now, and is running really bad, idles up and down, engine really tappety, i have done 20,000 in it, since i got it, only paid £200 for it, so has paid its dues. Gonna let the missus have mine, take it to the garage get it running sweet for her, have spent alot on it since i got it, front wishbones, disks and pads, new computer screen, remote locking did not work, so got new one, albeit a cheap version, but works fine.

Will see how it goes with the auction...

Mark.  

If it's idling badly, the simple solution is to clean out the ICV and breathers, will make a world of difference.

[Lordmpl]

HI AGAIN,
 I Have had a reply from the fella with the car, this is what he wrote......

Its deffo the head gasket Mark. I know a thing or two about engines, but am rubbish with a spanner. The AA concurred with the diagnosis, and the dropping coolant level, but no external leaks points the finger of blame. It was caught pretty quick, so it hasn't run for any length of time with the problem. No white gunk has appeared in the oil yet.

So what you think, you think it's the HG?

I would have to get this done, i dont have the tools for the job, huw much you reckon at a reasonable back stret garage?

Thanks, Mark.  

[Lordmpl]

I have also cleaned out the breathers and idle control valve, i did the throttle body too, as i read on here about idling probs, on of the breathers to the rocker cover had gone all mushy, so i replaced that too, before it would not idle at all, used to cut out at junctions and lights, but now its alot better, but not steady, you think it could be down to the tappet noise, it is quite heavy. The car itself runs well, pulls like a train, no smoke, or rattles, has a bit of a petrol smell in the cab sometimes after running for a while, then stopping at junctions, I posted re this on here, got some response, like checking fuel pipes and rails for leaks, checked the little valve thing under the tyre valve cap, this is all ok. but hey, i am not a quitter, i will get it working. lol.
If i get the newer one, i will still keep this one, and as i said before, let her indoors have it, she has a Calibra at the mo, but getting the car seat in and out the back seats is becoming a chore.

Thanks for all your help so far, Mark.

[gizza]

I have also cleaned out the breathers and idle control valve, i did the throttle body too, as i read on here about idling probs, on of the breathers to the rocker cover had gone all mushy, so i replaced that too, before it would not idle at all, used to cut out at junctions and lights, but now its alot better, but not steady, you think it could be down to the tappet noise, it is quite heavy. The car itself runs well, pulls like a train, no smoke, or rattles, has a bit of a petrol smell in the cab sometimes after running for a while, then stopping at junctions, I posted re this on here, got some response, like checking fuel pipes and rails for leaks, checked the little valve thing under the tyre valve cap, this is all ok. but hey, i am not a quitter, i will get it working. lol.
If i get the newer one, i will still keep this one, and as i said before, let her indoors have it, she has a Calibra at the mo, but getting the car seat in and out the back seats is becoming a chore.

Thanks for all your help so far, Mark.

try some wynns hydralic lifter oil cleaner or it could be the exhaust gasket does the noise go away when its warm that useually points to exhaust gasket, but the wynss stuff you can get from halfrauds about £6 put it in the oil when its hot drive the car for 500 miles then do a filter and oil change for the vauxhall stuff worked a treat on my 2ltr no more rattly tappets

[Markie]

does that go for near side as well as offside Markie?  I know access for eg exhaust manifold is nigh on impossible down there.

agreed - well corrected- yep it can be more complicated but if your nimble....can be done but its tighter than a fat fingered bloke removing a dispack....


As for head gasket is it or isnt it.....All i will say is its rare / almost unheard off. Sniffer test anyone?

[Lordmpl]

I will get some wynns stuff today and give it a go, will let you know how it goes, i do 100 miles a day, so not long to wait. Thanks for all your help, you guys know your stuff.

Thanks, mark.