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[Mark_J]

I do a 160 mile run twice a week and I have noticed that the car never gets passed 80 deg C.

The consumption has dropped from c26.5 to 27mpg to 24.5mpg and the car seems down on power.

On the weekend check before the commute today (Sunday) inside the oil filler cap is 'mayonaise', caused I guess by the cold running.

I have started to turn the heater down to try not to 'rob' the engine of heat.

Is there anything I can do to get the operating temp higher when normal running (motorways) is this relatively (?) cold spell?

Or is this the sign of something more sinister??

Thanks

MJ

[Craig_R]

if your worried by mayonaise check the dipstick if its on there worry but with yours being a V6 i would be surprised if the dipstick has any on it

[NickA]

I do a 160 mile run twice a week and I have noticed that the car never gets passed 80 deg C.

The consumption has dropped from c26.5 to 27mpg to 24.5mpg and the car seems down on power.

On the weekend check before the commute today (Sunday) inside the oil filler cap is 'mayonaise', caused I guess by the cold running.

I have started to turn the heater down to try not to 'rob' the engine of heat.

Is there anything I can do to get the operating temp higher when normal running (motorways) is this relatively (?) cold spell?

Or is this the sign of something more sinister??

Thanks

MJ

What you're describing is pretty much want's happening with my omega at the moment. I'm almost certain it's the thermostat that's either jammed open or opening too soon. It makes a difference if I run the car with the climate control set to Eco as this switches off the front fans.

I'm going to have a crack at it next weekend

[Mark_J]

Dip stick is fine, as is the coolent, I am guessing its that the car is running too cold.

Is there an easy way of checking the timing (like in the old days with a strobe!) cause it sounds rough like a small misfire in mid range revs when parked.

thanks

MJ

[Craig_R]

easy to check timing put you have to pull your bagpipes out on other bits and bobs.

Remove camcover and rotate the engine clockwise untill the cam markers line up with the marks if any are out its easy to spot.

Heres the cam marks on my 4 pot which this is soooooo easy to do as its 2/3 and engine as they say on here.

[Mark_J]

Thanks SirCraigR and NickA, its too late for me to look at the timing pulleys now, I am off 5am tomorrow!

I will do next week end though.

NickA, I left my car runnning stationary on tickover until the fans kicked in (c95 deg c) so I think the thermostat is working ok.  Mind you, it hasnt reached this operating temp for a while so maybe this has forced the thermostat to start working again!  I will find out tomorrow on the run back to work (groan!)

MJ

[Mike Collins]

A similar thing happened to my 2.6 this time last year. Bit the bullet and changed the thermostat.

No visible defect on the old one but it restored normal temperature, I think you will have to do it.

[ians]

Dip stick is fine, as is the coolent, I am guessing its that the car is running too cold.

Is there an easy way of checking the timing (like in the old days with a strobe!) cause it sounds rough like a small misfire in mid range revs when parked.

thanks

MJ

Check your plug wells are not full of oil - this can lead to break down of the ht leads and hence misfire.  Its a common problem caused by blocked breathers which lead to camcover seals blowing - there are guides in the maintenance section for doing these jobs.   Also note that much of the strip down for changing the thermostat is the same as changing the cam cover seals.

A sure sign of a stuck stat is if you feel the top radiator hose after starting the car from cold.   Should be cold for a few minutes and then suddenly get warm as the stat opens.  If it gradually warms up it means your stat is stuck open.   Your engine will then take ages to warm up and in this weather probably never get to proper operating temp.

[NickA]

NickA, I left my car runnning stationary on tickover until the fans kicked in (c95 deg c) so I think the thermostat is working ok.  Mind you, it hasnt reached this operating temp for a while so maybe this has forced the thermostat to start working again!  I will find out tomorrow on the run back to work (groan!)

MJ

If it heats up OK when stationary e.g. when there's no air being forced throught the radiator I'd definatly suspect the thermostat

[Abiton]

I just recently had to change our thermostat, and it solved the same symptoms.  I was quoted £50-something pounds by Vx for the replacement part; as on the four-pot at least, the thermostat is sold with the housing, not separately (doesn't seem hard to remove to me, but I guess the valve seat may wear, as well as the thermostat itself failing).

Anyway, I baulked at that price and was pleased to find one at Halfords for half as much.  I figure it may not last as long as a genuine item (11 years as AFAIK), but with a year's warranty, and the car on 143K, I'll take my chances.  

[Mark_J]

Thanks for the advice guys, I will check the hose temp to see if it warms gradually or not and also the spark plug recess for oil (my old 2.5 CDX had all spark plug recesses full of oil after being returned from service, buggers didnt check them but charged me for new plugs, found out when car still misfired).  I though this prob was solved with the 3.2 engine.

Anways, cant do much till next Sat.

Cheers!

[Mark_J]

Well, I can confirm that the top hose to the rad gets gradually warm as the engine temp rises, so it does appear that the thermostat is jamed open or sluggish.

I will see if the local Halfords has one for next Saturday and then have a go at the weekend at changing the stat over.  

Is this a difficult job for a novice?  Do I need any special tools?

Many thanks

MJ

[cem_devecioglu]

Hi
before you change the thermostat with the new one be sure it works..

Immerse in boiling water and see if it opens...


The job is not easy from my point of view..But depends on the

person..

[Marks DTM Calib]

Halfords dont do V6 thermostats......they will most likely try to sell you a 4 pot one.

The best place is ebay....here:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vauxhall-Thermostat-Assy-Calibra-Cavalier-Vectra-Omega_W0QQitemZ200174636518QQihZ010QQcategoryZ10404QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[alexandjen]

Halfords dont do V6 thermostats......they will most likely try to sell you a 4 pot one.

The best place is ebay....here:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vauxhall-Thermostat-Assy-Calibra-Cavalier-Vectra-Omega_W0QQitemZ200174636518QQihZ010QQcategoryZ10404QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Mark, would you rate them for timing belt kits?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vauxhall-Timing-Belt-Kit-GENUINE-GM-Omega-Frontera_W0QQitemZ200082628737QQihZ010QQcategoryZ10404QQcmdZViewItem