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[Andy H]

Busy weekend for me this weekend.
Got hold of the cam/crank locking tool and going to change:

Cam belt and idlers
Water pump
Coolant
Auxiliary belt & idler wheel
Spark plugs
Oil & filter
Rear discs, pads and shoes
Brake fluid
Pollen filter
Indicator bulbs (showing white, MOT in a few days)
MID backlight bulbs (I think I must be down to one still working)

Can anyone think of any photos that could be useful to add to the maintenance guides?

[tunnie]

you have not listed it, but we don't have any photos of a fuel filter change

[Andy H]

you have not listed it, but we don't have any photos of a fuel filter change

Oops, thanks Tunnie

I bought a fuel filter, I wonder where I put it :-/

I can do that when I have the back of the car up in the air.

[tunnie]

you have not listed it, but we don't have any photos of a fuel filter change

Oops, thanks Tunnie

I bought a fuel filter, I wonder where I put it :-/

I can do that when I have the back of the car up in the air.

Yup 

I felt a change when mine was replaced 

[Andy H]

I am not expecting any major changes due to the engine maintenance TBH (though it will be nice to eliminate the squeek from the auxiliary belt that occurs after a a cold start).

What I am expecting is a firmer brake pedal, I had a quick feel through the rear wheels and I suspect that the rear pads may be just as bad as the front ones I replaced last month

[Andy H]

Progress so far:
First task was to change fuel filter (& take photos). I don't know how I managed to release the hose connectors 7 years ago on the last car but I couldn't release them on my present car. Going to have to buy the pliers (score 1,0)

Next task was to change the rear brakes, discs and shoes. I got as far as removing one caliper and disc & thought I would compare the thickness of the old a new pads & discs. On opening the box of (genuine) discs I realised that I couldn't see any pads. Searched the house, my cars boot, SWMBOs car boot and re-read the invoice several times before calling the dealer to be told that the pads were on back order and the parts lad should have pointed it out to me 
Re assembled the brakes feeling  a little disheartened  (score 2,0)

Went to put the wheels back on & realised that the tyres were sh*gg*d. Being on the back axle I haven't being paying much attention to the inside edges & they looked good from the outside. Phoned a few places but this is Cornwall and the sun was out so everyones 'gone fishing' Phoned a few more and found a place that had a pair of budget 235/45R17s for £127 fitted. They might be rubbish but at least I am legal and at that price it won't hurt too much if I replace them with some quality tyres (score 2,1)

Front of the car is up on ramps now waiting for the belt change & new oil, filters, plugs etc. Just hoping that the filter housing comes undone when asked.......

[PhilRich]

Go to it Andy, you're on a winning streak

[Andy H]

Rear pads arrived at dealers yesterday so I fitted them today.

Had another go at changing the fuel filter but couldn't release the pipes. My local motor factors don't stock the vauxhall fuel pipe pliers so I tried making a tool out of copper pipe but it was too soft

I have been thinking that the exhaust sounded a bit fruity for the last week or two. When I changed the disc on the passenger side I found a rusty split about 8 inches long in one of the exhaust pipes where it passes under the drive shaft bit of a nuisance because the MOT runs out in a weeks time and I was planning to book it in for its test

I wonder if I could get a pass by strapping it up with exhaust bandage  :-/

[tunnie]

Rear pads arrived at dealers yesterday so I fitted them today.

Had another go at changing the fuel filter but couldn't release the pipes. My local motor factors don't stock the vauxhall fuel pipe pliers so I tried making a tool out of copper pipe but it was too soft

I have been thinking that the exhaust sounded a bit fruity for the last week or two. When I changed the disc on the passenger side I found a rusty split about 8 inches long in one of the exhaust pipes where it passes under the drive shaft bit of a nuisance because the MOT runs out in a weeks time and I was planning to book it in for its test

I wonder if I could get a pass by strapping it up with exhaust bandage  :-/

Unlikely, unless you bandage it the night before the MOT and drive straight there. We did a mega bodge on TB's MV6, layers of putty, gauze, outer seal, more putty, still gave way within days, zorst just gets too hot for anything to last.

Might get away with a small hole, but not an 8" gash, might be time to dig deep for an Eternal exhaust 

[biggriffin]

if your looking for fuel filter pliers sealy do a set.

[Andy H]

Rear pads arrived at dealers yesterday so I fitted them today.

Had another go at changing the fuel filter but couldn't release the pipes. My local motor factors don't stock the vauxhall fuel pipe pliers so I tried making a tool out of copper pipe but it was too soft

I have been thinking that the exhaust sounded a bit fruity for the last week or two. When I changed the disc on the passenger side I found a rusty split about 8 inches long in one of the exhaust pipes where it passes under the drive shaft bit of a nuisance because the MOT runs out in a weeks time and I was planning to book it in for its test

I wonder if I could get a pass by strapping it up with exhaust bandage  :-/

Unlikely, unless you bandage it the night before the MOT and drive straight there. We did a mega bodge on TB's MV6, layers of putty, gauze, outer seal, more putty, still gave way within days, zorst just gets too hot for anything to last.

Might get away with a small hole, but not an 8" gash, might be time to dig deep for an Eternal exhaust 

It is going to get a new exhaust as soon as I can get one. The Omega is an easy car to fit an exhaust to because it hangs underneath and doesn't pass over the top of enything

Just crap timing with the MOT due so soon. If I hadn't been waiting for the VX brake pads I would have found it last weekend

[tunnie]

Be law of sods! - If you can, rope in a second set of hands, makes fitting a doddle 

Oh and soak those exhaust studs in huge amounts of a decent penetrating oil, and invest in a decent set of drill bits to get the buggers out. Don't use cheapo onces, only make job worse