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[PeterF]

Hi everyone,

First post.  Bought an Omega CDX V6 auto 2.5L estate 1999 'S' plate (85k miles) after my Granada had to be towed the last 50 miles (failed oil pump?, 165k miles and not worth resurrecting).

I'm quite pleased with it, the only thing that seemed not to work were the heated seats.

However, recently idle has become a bit irregular (600-800 rpm) and lumpy.  When accelerating in town it seems to miss a beat as though it was only running on 5 cylinders.  On a motorway it 'judders' when going through the range 50 to 60 or 65mph.  At 70/75 mph it runs OK.

I read out the fault codes using the paper clip test:
at rest:  12 31 12
idling:  12 12
so that shows up nothing wrong.

Normally I would have taken the spark plugs out and checked them but I've discovered with the Omega that half the engine has to be moved first! so I've not done that yet.

Can anyone suggest please where I should start looking first?

Also, for the first half mile or so when starting from cold the gear changes occur at quite high revs, up to 3000.  But after a short distance they occur at about 2000rpm.  Is this normal or does it indicate low transmission oil?  I've not checked the oil yet because that involves raising the car and getting underneath and I've had shoulder surgery recently, but i can probably do it now.

Any help greatly appreciated.

Peter

[HGV mechanic]

welcome peterf, firstly the gear changes at high revs when cold is quite normal, helps warm the engine up quicker,

secoundly, check the spark plug wells for oil, this indicates leaking cam cover gaskets thus oil on the ht leads ,spark plugs, - which your symptoms sound very likely,

one other question, when was the cam belt done, it should be done every 40k miles without fail, , or it will fail

[bertiecbx550]

crank sensor???

[feeutfo]

pull plug lead and check for oil in plug well as said, oil comes from blown cam cover gaskits, caused by blocked breathers, caused by too long between oil changes by vx to impress fleet managers with longer service intervals.
Drivers side is easy, pass side remove cable tray and pull to one side.


 Or plugs just need changing, 40k service life...:-)

Go from there and see... Hth

[trinity0_10]

Hi,
   I had a similar problem, at idle there was a slight vibration from the engine but over 50 it was like driving over rumble strips, I found my dis pack had failed on the passengers rear plug, water had got into the plug well when it was standing for 5 weeks & I reckon blew the dis pack. When I removed the plug it was clear it was not firing.

This also may help http://www.vauxhallownersnetwork.co.uk/showthread.php?t=180981

[PeterF]

Thank you for the suggestions.  I'll start looking at the spark plugs,  HT leads and see if there's oil in the spark plug well.  Hopefully it's that simple.

Re my cambelt.  I've confirmed with the Vx garage that did the service, before I had the car, that the cambelt and pulley tensioners were all changed at 50.5k miles 5 years ago.  The mileage now is 89k.  I'll soon be living on borrowed time.  Are there recorded instances of cambelts going at under 50k miles?

PeterF

[markey mark]

Thank you for the suggestions.  I'll start looking at the spark plugs,  HT leads and see if there's oil in the spark plug well.  Hopefully it's that simple.

Re my cambelt.  I've confirmed with the Vx garage that did the service, before I had the car, that the cambelt and pulley tensioners were all changed at 50.5k miles 5 years ago.  The mileage now is 89k.  I'll soon be living on borrowed time.  Are there recorded instances of cambelts going at under 50k miles?

PeterF

every 40k or 4 years leave it much longer and your car will be scrap bud  

[PeterF]

I think I may have found the problem.  On the underside of the scuttle there is a wodge of black spongy material.  There was a small tear in the fabric just above spark plug number 6 and a white fluid was oozing out of the black spongy thing probably causing plug 6 to misfire.

The black spongy thing is hanging in the airing cupboard drying out.  Why does it get wet/stay wet?  

Also some of the outer rubber casing of number 6 spark plug lead has come off.  Does the HT lead need to be replaced?

There was only a smear of oil on a couple of the plugs and no evidence of flooding.  All the plugs were cleaned and the engine seems to run more smoothly but the car hasn't been driven yet.

PeterF    

[HGV mechanic]

ht leads need to be replaced, and would still advise to do the above - while your at it ,, not to hard to do

[RobG]

I think I may have found the problem.  On the underside of the scuttle there is a wodge of black spongy material.  There was a small tear in the fabric just above spark plug number 6 and a white fluid was oozing out of the black spongy thing probably causing plug 6 to misfire.

The black spongy thing is hanging in the airing cupboard drying out.  Why does it get wet/stay wet?  

Also some of the outer rubber casing of number 6 spark plug lead has come off.  Does the HT lead need to be replaced?

There was only a smear of oil on a couple of the plugs and no evidence of flooding.  All the plugs were cleaned and the engine seems to run more smoothly but the car hasn't been driven yet.

PeterF    

Windscreen seal and/or scuttle seal not effective. Yes, replace the lead