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[V6 CDX-er]

And that's pretty dam dirty 

Having an old Landie that I use for off-roading, I'm pretty used to coolant systems being minging and filthy, but on the Omega it really is something else.

As I'm running short of time getting it back on the road I've just topped it up with fresh coolant which will have to do for the next couple of weeks, but TBH I don't think that flushing the rad, header tank and heater matrix is going to shift much of the grime.

So, a couple of questions. On Omegas with air-con, oil coolers and god knows what else plumbed into the rad, does everything need to be dissconnected before flushing the rad, or just the top and bottom hose?

Also are there any decent cleaning agents that can be used to shift some of this gunk, or are they all snake oils?

Many thanks 

[tunnie]

oil in it? Its sludge like?

Oil cooler is nackered, get it changed, don't drive it while its like that, its a real pain to flush out

[V6 CDX-er]

oil in it? Its sludge like?

Oil cooler is nackered, get it changed, don't drive it while its like that, its a real pain to flush out

Not quite sure what it is Tunnie. Looks like a really heavy sediment / sludge build-up in the header tank. Having only driven the vehicle 20 miles tops since buying it, I cant really comment on whether the coolant system is up to any good or not.

So, worse case scenario and it is a knackered oil cooler, how much is this going to cost me, and can I do it myself without messing it up, (yeah, I know, optermistic).

[V6 CDX-er]

Ok. Just had a read through the 'Changing the oil cooler guide', and even though it says "not everyone curses and swears", all I have to say is;

####! #### #### ####ity #### #### ####ing ####! 

All that ####ing time I had the ####ing oil filter off and the ####### plenum / inlet ####ing trumpet off, I could have done this ####ing job! ####!

All that new, fresh oil, wasted. fresh anti freeze, wasted. New gaskets, wasted. New oil filter, wasted. All my ####ing time and ####ing money, ####ing wasted! ####!

if after all this ####ing about, spending god knows how many ####ing hours in that freezing cold ####ing garage, scraping the ####ing skin off my knuckles, if this bloody car is a pile of #### to drive after all of this time, money and effort, I'm going to take a box of matches to the ####ing thing. 

Yep, the oil coolers shot. Theres nowt else I can think of that would cause such a massive build up of sludge and slim in my header tank. If it was rust, (and the rad looks in pretty good nick), then the car would be boiling more water than a kettle, which incidently it is not.


So, kick me in the balls whilst I'm down, but how much are these parts going to cost me?

New oil filters a cert, but what about the gaskets for the plenum and intake trumpet? These are brand new and the car hasn't even done 1/4 mile with those fitted. Do I need to spend £60 odd quid again buying new intake gaskets now that I have torqued everything up?

[Marks DTM Calib]

Available here:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vauxhall-Oil-Cooler-93176626-Sintra-Cavalier-MK3-V6-/190455742352?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2c580bff90

Just add 4 dowty washers and the sealant.

And no, you dont need new inlet gaskets (and probably didn't last time you removed it)

[tunnie]

I personally fit new banjo bolts too, I've had one sheer, it's not fun removing them when they do that!

[Marks DTM Calib]

Yes but, thats more un-neccassary cost (there not that cheap), if the op is that concerned then just get hold of a second hand spare one just in case. 

[kcl]

Available here:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vauxhall-Oil-Cooler-93176626-Sintra-Cavalier-MK3-V6-/190455742352?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2c580bff90

Just add 4 dowty washers and the sealant.

And no, you dont need new inlet gaskets (and probably didn't last time you removed it)

What size the dowty washers are?

[kcl]

New oil filters a cert, but what about the gaskets for the plenum and intake trumpet? These are brand new and the car hasn't even done 1/4 mile with those fitted. Do I need to spend £60 odd quid again buying new intake gaskets now that I have torqued everything up?

You can safely re-use the intake gaskets 

[feeutfo]

Ok. Just had a read through the 'Changing the oil cooler guide', and even though it says "not everyone curses and swears", all I have to say is;

####! #### #### ####ity #### #### ####ing ####! 

All that ####ing time I had the ####ing oil filter off and the ####### plenum / inlet ####ing trumpet off, I could have done this ####ing job! ####!

All that new, fresh oil, wasted. fresh anti freeze, wasted. New gaskets, wasted. New oil filter, wasted. All my ####ing time and ####ing money, ####ing wasted! ####!

if after all this ####ing about, spending god knows how many ####ing hours in that freezing cold ####ing garage, scraping the ####ing skin off my knuckles, if this bloody car is a pile of #### to drive after all of this time, money and effort, I'm going to take a box of matches to the ####ing thing. 

Yep, the oil coolers shot. Theres nowt else I can think of that would cause such a massive build up of sludge and slim in my header tank. If it was rust, (and the rad looks in pretty good nick), then the car would be boiling more water than a kettle, which incidently it is not.


So, kick me in the balls whilst I'm down, but how much are these parts going to cost me?

New oil filters a cert, but what about the gaskets for the plenum and intake trumpet? These are brand new and the car hasn't even done 1/4 mile with those fitted. Do I need to spend £60 odd quid again buying new intake gaskets now that I have torqued everything up?

Gaskets will be fine, as will the oil and filter I would have thought? Some coolant may escape into the oil system when the oil pressure drops with engine off, but if it's cought early enough then no more water would contaminate the oil than condensation from alot of short journeys I would have thought? If it does need changing oil is cheap enough on tc surely?

Unfortunate, and I do sympathise, but it's all do able. Removing the plenum is basic owner knowledge, better get used to that one old bean. Plus I'm sure when it's all added up the total bill will be cheaper than any other half decent saloon worth the name, and will stand you well in the future.

[markfree]

I hate to be the bearer of even more bad news but chances are that if your oil-cooler is leaking then your head-gaskets may be on the way out too - a poorly maintained coolant system (not changing coolant every 2 years) is usually the cause.

May be worth doing a compression test while you have it striped down - may save you a little grief further down the line.

Owning an omega is certainly soul-destroying character building 

[V6 CDX-er]

I hate to be the bearer of even more bad news but chances are that if your oil-cooler is leaking then your head-gaskets may be on the way out too - a poorly maintained coolant system (not changing coolant every 2 years) is usually the cause.

May be worth doing a compression test while you have it striped down - may save you a little grief further down the line.

Owning an omega is certainly soul-destroying character building 

Oh for f#cks sake!

If they are then I'm firing it off to auction and I'll go back to a bloody Ford.

[henryd]

head gasket failure on the v6 engines is pretty rare,if your system isn't pressurizing chances are it's ok

[griffin]

Hi

Sorry I know this is a little off topic but what are "Banjo Bolts"?

  :-/

[tunnie]

Hi

Sorry I know this is a little off topic but what are "Banjo Bolts"?

  :-/

 
Bolts used to fit the oil cooler