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[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

The usual problems on the V6 Omega are:

From suspension wear, esp the lower arm bushes. (replace arm or rebush)
Rear doughnut bush wear (replace bush)
Rust
Cam cover gaskets (replace with GM)
Camber goes out as car ages, and few geometry places know how to do it properly
HBV (replace)


Garages tend to dislike the V6, and charge silly money for minor jobs. Given the mileage, I'd treat yourself to a 'Trade Club' card, and be prepared to do a little more car work than you perhaps previously have.  We have lots of guides for various tasks, and the advice available here makes it a cheap car to run if you are able to do most of the work yourself

My oldest Omega, a 1998 3.0l auto, is likely to go over 180k this week, and is mechanically strong as ever, and is often driven quite hard.  In the 8yrs I've owned it, its only left me stranded once (crank sensor, Dijon, France). What will kill it is rust.

Check for oil in the expansion tank. More than likely caused by a Donald Ducked oil cooler. Expensive, especially if you can't fix it yourself.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Hey,

So, I've been browsing around for a new (old) car to use till the end of the year and beyond. For some strange reason, I keep being attracted to Omega's. (for the love of god, don't ask why.) And from limited internet research I've rounded down my options to a Manual 2.5 V6. (2000-2003)

From what the interweb is telling me, no manual was ever made for the 3.0 or the 3.2 V6's? (correct me if I'm wrong.) The 3.0 V6 auto is slower then the 2.5 manual, and the 3.2 auto is the same as the 2.5 manual but with higher fuel consumption which is my reason for choosing a manual 2.5 V6, over the others. I have spotted the 2.0 and the 2.2 litre 4 pots but to be honest, for such a heavy car, I think the V6 would be more suitable. (plus consumption is only a few miles to the gallon in difference.)

Now, I've spotted a black V-Reg (yr2000) 2.5 V6 with some nice fat 17" omega alloys which I just love the look of it as a whole. The car is at a VERY reasonable price and is from a trader. It has 150,000 miles on the clock with FSH.

Can someone give me a list of things to look out for/question the trader about regarding the car? What can I check over myself without poking around to much? What are the symptoms of problems to come? Someone mentioned checking the coolant for oil? Cambelt, testing the air-con, cold/hot, etc etc.

I'll be going to check out the car this weekend, so all the advice I can get is appreciated. Thanks!

Not if the cambelt and tensioners were last replaced 70,000 miles ago......

[Jabe]

Not if the cambelt and tensioners were last replaced 70,000 miles ago......

I'm assuming the previous owner thought it was every 80,000 like Vauxhall had originally recommended. (obviously now it's every 40,000.)