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[Mikes1670]

Hi, having a run of niggles right now. I have discovered water running down the bell housing (seen from under the car so I know I need to change the heater bypass valve) that was niggle No.1. Losing approx. 1 litre of coolant/month at present. I know what I need to do with this one.

Niggle No.2 - I set about doing an oil change and when I put the car up on the ramps I discovered the pressed steel plate with the sump plug in it was covered in oil - I removed the plastic under cover and have traced the leak to the next joint up where the oil sump casting meets the bottom of the cylinder block casting (I believe this to be the two part sump type) - looks like its leaking from the front left corner, when you look at it standing in front of the car. Couldn't find this job in the maintenance guides. I read up how to replace the sump gasket in Haynes but it has put me off more than anything especially as I don't possess an engine hoist . How much would it cost to have this job done at a garage? Consequently, I didn't bother changing the oil as it will have to be dropped anyway.

Niggle No.3 - When I removed the plastic under cover I initially thought it had oil on the top side of it (the side you see as you look down into the engine from above) but on closer inspection it seems like water??? however, I can't see where it is coming from.

I have only just recently replaced the rear coil springs and was hoping for a good few months of trouble free motoring as demands on my time are quite high at the moment. I don't mind an occasional car maintenance job but I am not wanting to make a full time hobby of it!

Any ideas/advice welcome

[bored bigyin54]

i know that feeling mate always money with cars

[Abiton]

For niggle no.2, you may find that cleaning the breathers (surely a guide in Maintenance Guides section) causes the pressure in the crankcase to drop to the point where the leak stops.  Worth doing anyway if you don't know when it was last done, to minimise the chances of camcover gasket leakage. 

[Mikes1670]

Thanks I'll look up cleaning of breather hoses in the maintenance guides. Had another look at that wetness on top of the plastic undercover and I now suspect it may be power steering fluid not water - the fluid has more of a thin oily consistancy. I suppose that will be the power steering pump on its way out. Anyone know how much they are?

[albitz]

Number 2 on your list is in my opinion quite a big job and maybe beyond the scope of the average home mechanic with an average tool kit.Others may advise different, but that was the conclusion I came to when I had the problem with my previous Omega.
It will also be an expensive fix In my opinion,as I believe it will involve quite a few hours of labour time.
It depends on your budget and how bad the leak is. Mine wasnt that bad, so I just lived with it.
As to the fluid on top of the plastic undertray.My advice would be to cure the water leak, then clean the top surface of the undertray.You can then inspect it as often as possible to see which area of the undertray the fluid is leaking onto, which may well help trace it back to its source.
If you assume power steering pump  (or anyother component) you will end up throwing parts and money at the problem and may well not solve it.
Just my 2p worth.

[tigers_gonads]

pm incoming mike 

[Darth Loo-knee]

Hi, having a run of niggles right now. I have discovered water running down the bell housing (seen from under the car so I know I need to change the heater bypass valve) that was niggle No.1. Losing approx. 1 litre of coolant/month at present. I know what I need to do with this one.

Niggle No.2 - I set about doing an oil change and when I put the car up on the ramps I discovered the pressed steel plate with the sump plug in it was covered in oil - I removed the plastic under cover and have traced the leak to the next joint up where the oil sump casting meets the bottom of the cylinder block casting (I believe this to be the two part sump type) - looks like its leaking from the front left corner, when you look at it standing in front of the car. Couldn't find this job in the maintenance guides. I read up how to replace the sump gasket in Haynes but it has put me off more than anything especially as I don't possess an engine hoist . How much would it cost to have this job done at a garage? Consequently, I didn't bother changing the oil as it will have to be dropped anyway.

I am pretty sure that "Haynes Book of Lies" does touch on the Sump Casting to Block Seal..
To do it, Drain the engine oil, remove the 20 ish torx bolts on the sump pan. Remove the oil level sensor inside the sump pan. There are around 12 bolts inside the Sump Casting bolting up into the Block and a coupke into the Oil Pump... At this point you will not be able to get the Sump Castingout because of the cross member, so the engine needs to be lifted.
Once sump casting is out clean everything. There is a groove around the top edge for a Gasket to push into .... But the Gasket which Vauxhall will sell you is not to be fitted. There was an Update and so Grey Sealer needs to be used. After putting everything back together I would then leave the Engine Oil out whilst the Grey Sealer goes off over night..  

Niggle No.3 - When I removed the plastic under cover I initially thought it had oil on the top side of it (the side you see as you look down into the engine from above) but on closer inspection it seems like water??? however, I can't see where it is coming from.

I would suggest putting your water system under pressure, the water will show itself and then you will need to find where from.

I have only just recently replaced the rear coil springs and was hoping for a good few months of trouble free motoring as demands on my time are quite high at the moment. I don't mind an occasional car maintenance job but I am not wanting to make a full time hobby of it!

Top and tail of any secondhand car is you don't know how well it has being serviced/maintained..... If you look at it that you have done this  job and that, you know exactly whats been done. Every single car has its own problems, once they are sorted properly you will then look after it and it will look after you 

Any ideas/advice welcome

[Darth Loo-knee]

Thanks I'll look up cleaning of breather hoses in the maintenance guides. Had another look at that wetness on top of the plastic undercover and I now suspect it may be power steering fluid not water - the fluid has more of a thin oily consistancy. I suppose that will be the power steering pump on its way out. Anyone know how much they are?

Keeping the Breathers Clean is a good and easy thinking to check...... this will hopefully prevent cam cover leaks etc

I meant to mention to check your Front Crank Seal if you can... they do sometimes leak putting oil on top of the sump pan, sometimes on the engine undertray your talking about.

One way to see if its your power steering fluid is to top it up then keep an eye on it