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[big matt]

hey every 1 my names matt im new to this site need some advice on buying an elite 97 auto 3.0. its got full stamped service history only 73000 on clock and seems to me to be in pretty good nick on the outside but its all the stuff underneath im concerned about so here goes... never owned an auto so what do i do to make sure it drives ok is there a test i can do while test driving it? it seems ok tho apart from when stationary and selecting either of the gears when i move the stick say into drive position you can feel the car changing into gear only slightly tho-is this normal? it feels ok on the road (i like sports button very much) also when i brought car back from test run i was sitting in it and i could smell the heat from the engine if that makes sense-wasnt over heating or anything,do they generally run quite hot anyway? it starts ok even after good thrash which is good. last but not least mayo in filler neck,not head gasket had sniff test on that no mayo on dipstick no oil in water.....any ideas? the car has been sitting for 6 months up until 5 weeks ago and now only does about 3 miles a day.sorry for loads of questions,looking forward to any advice recieved

[hotel21]

Howdoo and welcome to OOF.

Fisrt things first, the cambelt and tensioners must be changed at max 4 year 40K mile intervals, without exception.  Unless documented proof of being done, get it done asap.  Good guide and DVD on here and from user Robin Hood.

Mayo on filler cap is normal when car is only used for short journeys as yours is.  Head gasket failure is rare but not unheard of.  Clean the cap end take it for a decent run.  Chances are it wont reappear unless short journey commuting...

Smell of hot engine is probably leaking cam cover gaskets.  Not the hardest of jobs and, again, a howtoo is available on here.

As to gearbox, an autobox type will advise better than I, but as long as it goes through all gears without clunking etc and does what it should, its probable that alls well.

take time to peruse the FAQ and Tech Help sections - loads of good stuff there and reassure you.

Also, post up individual probs and no doubt someone will advise....      

[Kevin Wood]

If the auto gearbox doesn't appear to slip and changes gear smartly it sounds OK. Plan on changing the fluid and filter once you've bought it to make sure it stays that way.

A "hot" smelling engine can be due to oil leaking from the cam cover gaskets which is a common fault due to blocked breathers or also due to a coolant leak which is commonly the heater bypass valve. Neither are too difficult to fix but a good bargaining point, obviously. They can both cause expensive ignition system parts to fail if left too long so be sure to check for these two.

Check there is proof that the cam belt was done at 40k/ 4 years and if not, do it ASAP. Many people believe the period is 80k / 8 years but not so. Another good bargaining point because it needs doing at 80k (soon) regardless.

Mayo in oil filler is not a problem. Many Omegas do this if they have been standing or used for short trips.

.. and welcome to the forum.

Kevin

[big matt]

yeah been looking at the faq-s very helpful indeed.on the test drive i went round a round-about then upon exiting on to nice long traffic free road pressed the sports button and floored it and i thought i noticed a slight slip as if the rear wheels spinning but road was dry as a bone, it was very slight an only lasted about half a second if that,i was doin about 30mph when changed into sports mode then it took off like a rocket ship maybe im just being paranoid cos never owned an auto before and not sure how they work. he says timing belt done at 50000 but no proof so gonna knock him down on price for that.also car really pulls to the left quite badly-its got 17inch wheels on it so need that looking at

[hotel21]

If its a 1997 its only a year to go until its due its 3rd belt/tensioner change, not its second.....  

Pulling to one side could be no more than bad tyre pressures or perhaps more likely, lower wishbones needing done.  Again, check the howtoos.....

All VERY good haggling points.  

Haggle for the full retail cost of repairs with the knowledge that they can be done much cheaper with advice from here....  

[Steve1077]

Mine seems to pull to the left, it has for ages, I wondering if it the tyres after reading the tyre marking post

[TheBoy]

Can't add much more to the thorough advice given by Kevin Wood and Hotel21 above.

If you do go for it, before you start doing work and buying bits, let us know - we generally know the cheapest place to get odds and ends, and which parts are best to stick with Vauxhall parts

[ians]

I'd give it an oil change pretty soon too when you get it, esp as its been doing short trips, then another within a couple of thou', then settle down at one every 4-5000.   Others will tell you to do them even more frequently but personally I have other things to do.

If you buy the oil/filter from Vx with trade club will cost you less than a tenner a time - good investment.

Cheers
Ian

[bighed]

Is there a how to about changing atf and filter?? Loads have said about how cheap vx oil n filter is with trade card but the vx oil at my dealer is £25 for 5l and we need 6 dont we. Trade card dont get that much off does it??

[Jimbob]

Is there a how to about changing atf and filter?? Loads have said about how cheap vx oil n filter is with trade card but the vx oil at my dealer is £25 for 5l and we need 6 dont we. Trade card dont get that much off does it??

Erm yes!

Buy 4 5L oil for the price of 3 = £33.52 for 20 Litres!

[TheBoy]

Is there a how to about changing atf and filter?? Loads have said about how cheap vx oil n filter is with trade card but the vx oil at my dealer is £25 for 5l and we need 6 dont we. Trade card dont get that much off does it??

You talking about engine oil, or atf?

[Tony H]

yeah been looking at the faq-s very helpful indeed.on the test drive i went round a round-about then upon exiting on to nice long traffic free road pressed the sports button and floored it and i thought i noticed a slight slip as if the rear wheels spinning but road was dry as a bone, it was very slight an only lasted about half a second if that,i was doin about 30mph when changed into sports mode then it took off like a rocket ship maybe im just being paranoid cos never owned an auto before and not sure how they work. he says timing belt done at 50000 but no proof so gonna knock him down on price for that.also car really pulls to the left quite badly-its got 17inch wheels on it so need that looking at

This could have been the traction control cutting in, it can feel a bit odd if your not used to T.C.

[big matt]

WOW, didnt expect this many replies-what a helpful bunch u r.its gonna be about 4 weeks till i get it anyway as i have only just got out of hospital so pretty broke at the min but he is gonna hold it for me anyway.also what about tuning it ie induction kits,nice L..O..U..D exhaust systems etc and being an elite will it have self levelling suspension? i would like to lower it on shocks and springs 40mm can this be done if it has self levelling suspension?

[bighed]

Is there a how to about changing atf and filter?? Loads have said about how cheap vx oil n filter is with trade card but the vx oil at my dealer is £25 for 5l and we need 6 dont we. Trade card dont get that much off does it??

Erm yes!

Buy 4 5L oil for the price of 3 = £33.52 for 20 Litres!

The oil vx by me is £25 per 5ltr!!!!  

[bighed]

Is there a how to about changing atf and filter?? Loads have said about how cheap vx oil n filter is with trade card but the vx oil at my dealer is £25 for 5l and we need 6 dont we. Trade card dont get that much off does it??

You talking about engine oil, or atf?

sorry the 10w 40 engine oil