Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: MarkG on 09 April 2014, 13:37:18
-
There is a long list of service parts and fluids you expect to replace as a car ages. Things like springs, bushes, track rods, pads, disks, tyres, water pumps, cam cover gaskets, dis packs, oils, sensors etc etc. But what about the more unusual things you would never have expected to have to fix or replace?
I’ve had my car for coming up to 14 years and in that time covered 247,000 miles. In a rough timeline order I can think of the following ‘out of the ordinary’ things I have had to fix or replace or have just worn out;
1 year old
• Peeling of the shiny trim on the front grill. Replaced by Vauxhall under warranty
3 years old
• Centre Armrest latch broke. Still is. Just glued it back in place
• Steering wheel stitching started to come undone. Sorted with superglue and has been fine since
5 years old
• Glovebox latch failed. Fixed it with a used one and it has been fine since
• ABS ECU failed. Replaced with a used unit and has been fine since
• Handbrake latch button failed. Used lever which strangely is now cracked on one side. I don’t used it as mine’s and Auto
6 years old
• Coin storage box latch broke. Fitted a used one
7 years old
• Drivers door check strap mounting required welding back to the pillar
• Rust started to develop in top of offside rear wheel arch. Been patched up two or 3 times but keeps coming back and is now pretty significant. Nearside is untouched and still looks almost perfect
• Heated seat pads failed. But seeing as I have the ‘superior’ cloth option, I never used them anyway
8 years old
• Alarm periodically woke the neighbourhood in the dead of night. Disabled it
• Blob of rust developed on offside rear wing at C post junction with roof. Repaired once and holding OK
• Rust developed on nearside lower wheel arch hidden by closed door. Now significant. I’ve just let it go.
• Fitted new AC condenser (which turned out not to be the source of the AC leak)
9 years old
• Established that AC Evaporator failed. Replaced with used item and still OK
• Fuel cap lock fault causing all doors to stay locked. Removed lock when I managed to get back into the car
• Driver’s keyed door lock completely seized due to lack of use. Copious WD40 freed it up (which reminds me…must do it again)
• Wet carpets and glass fogging up due to coolant leak. Thinking the car was not much longer for this world I tipped in Radweld. It fixed the leak and has remained leak-free eve r since even after a subsequent coolant flush and change.
10 years old
• Annoying rattles in passenger door which turned out to be the polystyrene fillers coming unstuck from the panel. Glued back on. Peace and quiet returned
11 years old
• Significant welding required of nearside chassis near front cross member, nearside chassis at sub frame mount and nearside front inner wing for MOT
• Headlight switch fell apart. Used one fitted
12 years old
• Series of cracked windscreens caused by a number of rust patches developing in window aperture. Significant repair work required. 2 years on and the Windscreen has just cracked again on the passenger lower corner
• Odd AC behaviour; still blows ice cold but on heat, after an hour or so, airflow fades away despite fan still running on high. Live with it
• Break disk shields almost completely rotted away. Live with it
• Coolant temperature sensor failed. Replaced with a new one
• Headlight and fog light glass had gone a horrible yellowy hue. A good polish with a proprietary cutting paste sorted them out
• Door mirror alloy frames seized and then broke when I tried to knock them in. Replaced with a pair of used frames
13 years old
• Wiper linkage knuckle wore out dropping the rod which disabled the passenger wiper. A used rod got it going again
• Rear window/door mirror demist button starting to lose its finish revealing white beneath. I can live with that
• Creaking steering caused by disintegrated rubber on centre tie rod idler joint. Replaced centre tie rod with a used one
14 years old
• I’ve recently noticed the driver’s seat has lost some of its support. I only realised when I sat in the passenger seat.
• Steering wheel and gear selector have worn to a lovely high gloss polished shine. The S for Sport button is completely erased
Does this list look familiar to everyone? What have I missed?
-
Now, just to cheer yourself up, try to put a monetary value on each of your repairs. ;D
-
Not forgetting service items, of course.
-
Now, just to cheer yourself up, try to put a monetary value on each of your repairs. ;D
Cruel sod. ;D ;D ;D
-
STEMO, that's the joy of owning one of these cars. It cost peanuts to fix. Most were used parts anyway. The car has had zero depreciation for the last 7 years and just keeps monstering on. Even with the high fuel costs, it all adds up to very cost effective motoring.
Some people think buying new and replacing a car every 2 or 3 years is the way to cost effective motoring. Sometimes they just 'need' to have a new car for status reasons. But really, they are just no good at the maths.
-
STEMO, that's the joy of owning one of these cars. It cost peanuts to fix. Most were used parts anyway. The car has had zero depreciation for the last 7 years and just keeps monstering on. Even with the high fuel costs, it all adds up to very cost effective motoring.
Some people think buying new and replacing a car every 2 or 3 years is the way to cost effective motoring. Sometimes they just 'need' to have a new car for status reasons. But really, they are just no good at the maths.
It might cost you peanuts to fix, but you are obviously capable of doing it. So, I think what your saying is 'Provided your willing to get your hands dirty, then an old omega will give you years of cheap motoring. However, if you need to use a garage, run away!'
-
STEMO, that's the joy of owning one of these cars. It cost peanuts to fix. Most were used parts anyway. The car has had zero depreciation for the last 7 years and just keeps monstering on. Even with the high fuel costs, it all adds up to very cost effective motoring.
Some people think buying new and replacing a car every 2 or 3 years is the way to cost effective motoring. Sometimes they just 'need' to have a new car for status reasons. But really, they are just no good at the maths.
It might cost you peanuts to fix, but you are obviously capable of doing it. So, I think what your saying is 'Provided your willing to get your hands dirty, then an old omega will give you years of cheap motoring. However, if you need to use a garage, run away!'
Even then STEMO with a good relationship with a garage you can still make the maths work. I have had to have very little done for 2/3 years - tyres yes, cambelt £300. Having said that the miles the OP has put on is fantastic compared to my 108000 - but mine has been on minor duties 5000 miles per annum since Phaeton arrived in 2009
-
Off the top of my head -
at 2 years - bubbling on frame of sun-roof - replaced by VX after a battle
at coming up 3 years new NCDC 2013 (intermittent fault)- had to get Siemens involved to confirm to VX item was faulty.
It had an top engine rebuild in 2003 as there was a problem with cylinder heads and an oil leak and a complete new engine in 2008 when VX messed up a cambelt change - all cost for VX.
2 changes of CID screen in 2007 and 2010.
-
Off the top of my head -
at 2 years - bubbling on frame of sun-roof - replaced by VX after a battle
at coming up 3 years new NCDC 2013 (intermittent fault)- had to get Siemens involved to confirm to VX item was faulty.
It had an top engine rebuild in 2003 as there was a problem with cylinder heads and an oil leak and a complete new engine in 2008 when VX messed up a cambelt change - all cost for VX.
2 changes of CID screen in 2007 and 2010.
Hardly a recommendation, Phil. If Vx hadn't been paying, that lot would have bankrupt a lot of people.
-
Can't think of anything on the inside of my PFL MV6 that has broken apart from a seat heater (leather, fixed for free :)).
Its gobbled a couple of crank sensors though ;D
-
Now, just to cheer yourself up, try to put a monetary value on each of your repairs. ;D
It is not only the money but also the satisfaction of fixing something. If you are a practical person, you will get it, if not, you will hate the thought of ever going near a toolbox and probably the reliability of most cars other than a Honda Civic.
IMO an Omega takes a lot of beating in terms of comfort, especially for long journeys, load carrying practicality with an estate, right wheel drive, right number of cylinders which is 6, right type of gearbox, safety, toys and price. It is very difficult to find something more modern that replaces it, an E-series Merc is about the only vehicle made with a similar load capacity, comfort and RHD. But many people have very different priorities and an euro sh*tbox will suffice, so they have a wide choice to choose from. Converting to LPG gives devil juice day-to-day running costs without a modern diesel repair bills.
Somebody I know has spent over £3000 on a new DPF, injectors and pump with their 6-cylinder diesel over the last 2 years. That buys an LPG kit for an Omega and about 2,500l of LPG, which would gives 40-50,000 miles just on their repair bills.
Personally, I would be seen dead driving some cars that people do, but each to their own.
-
I did own an omega V6 remember. I know all about the good bits. I had it just over 12 months and, when I sold it to James, I gave him receipts for £1800.
Maybe I was unlucky, but my memories are not fond ones.
-
I did own an omega V6 remember. I know all about the good bits. I had it just over 12 months and, when I sold it to James, I gave him receipts for £1800.
Maybe I was unlucky, but my memories are not fond ones.
Overall I have good memories of my three Omega's. They have all been reasonably reliable (touch wood) and have not been inordinately expensive to run and maintain.
My biggest mistake was to buy a 'manual' Omega. The gearbox felt as though it had been lifted straight from a bus or lorry and detracted from the overall experience. :-\ :-X
Some cars are not well suited to a manual box, and the Omega is one of them.
-
Me say nuffin :-X
-
The gearbox felt as though it had been lifted straight from a bus or lorry
Me say nuffin :-X
;D ;D
I dont recall the manual box being that bad , maybe a long ish throw but quite smooth :-\ ... didnt have it long though , just a day later i took it back with blown crank seal ::)
-
I did own an omega V6 remember. I know all about the good bits. I had it just over 12 months and, when I sold it to James, I gave him receipts for £1800.
Maybe I was unlucky, but my memories are not fond ones.
I don't think you are unlucky with your omega ... I also have been faced with the constant woes of omega ownership! My repairs and maintenance bill in 2 months (including the obligatory HGF that I did myself) set me back at almost £1500, I do have all of the receipts to unfortunately prove it too.... My overall running cost over 2200 miles is above £3 per mile (way cheaper to get a taxi)! These truly are god awful cars with horrendous repair costs (god help you if you dare fit a pattern part), For some reason I personally love them (I think I've lost it) and so do allot of others I guess! My recent transmission problems are most likely the final hay bale on the camels back though :D Looks like you have had an easy ride over your 14 years of ownership ;D bet it can't do another 14 years :-X ;D
-
Quite a list. But doesn't seem too bad to me. Given the miles and that most cars (Ford especially ime) are worn out after 100k odd.
-
Off the top of my head -
at 2 years - bubbling on frame of sun-roof - replaced by VX after a battle
at coming up 3 years new NCDC 2013 (intermittent fault)- had to get Siemens involved to confirm to VX item was faulty.
It had an top engine rebuild in 2003 as there was a problem with cylinder heads and an oil leak and a complete new engine in 2008 when VX messed up a cambelt change - all cost for VX.
2 changes of CID screen in 2007 and 2010.
Hardly a recommendation, Phil. If Vx hadn't been paying, that lot would have bankrupt a lot of people.
What are you on about Esta...?
If vx hadn't been servicing it the top end rebuild wouldn't of happened. Over torqued tensioner bolt iirc. The lummox's.
All that lot is warranty except the CID screens.
-
Off the top of my head -
at 2 years - bubbling on frame of sun-roof - replaced by VX after a battle
at coming up 3 years new NCDC 2013 (intermittent fault)- had to get Siemens involved to confirm to VX item was faulty.
It had an top engine rebuild in 2003 as there was a problem with cylinder heads and an oil leak and a complete new engine in 2008 when VX messed up a cambelt change - all cost for VX.
2 changes of CID screen in 2007 and 2010.
Hardly a recommendation, Phil. If Vx hadn't been paying, that lot would have bankrupt a lot of people.
What are you on about Esta...?
If vx hadn't been servicing it the top end rebuild wouldn't of happened. Over torqued tensioner bolt iirc. The lummox's.
All that lot is warranty except the CID screens.
To be fair to VX on the 2004 engine job the dealer was considering a head skim but as it was an involved job they referred it to Luton who told them not to mess about and do a proper job.
The CID screens were refurbed in Germany at Stefan Electronic on German ebay. I think I may have wiring fault in this area as a number of general electrical gremlins appear and disappear.
Interior is absolutely fine and no issues with anything so far despite all the fancy bits.
-
I have had my Omega for 7 years and 120k miles.
In addition to a sensible level of routine maintenance, it's had:
2 crank sensors
1 thermostat
1 HBV
3 central locking motors repaired
2 sets of front wishbone bushes
1 set of rear doughnut bushes
1 pair of drop links
1 wiper motor
2 cat back exhausts
1 voltage regulator
1 battery
Nothing unexpected or particularly expensive there. I put that down to the fact that it's been looked after, as I've owned it since it had 40k on the clock. If you don't keep up with the routine maintenance you can't really complain if it causes trouble and, sadly, a full main dealer service history is no guarantee of that. Omegas are old enough now that most will have been through a period where they haven't been properly maintained, and this will probably cause a chain of problems to sort out in the first year or two of ownership before it settles down to be the reliable car it deserves to be.
At 162k my car drives better than a Ford would at 100k, despite being on original shocks and springs. These cars really do last well if they are maintained to a decent standard.
-
and, sadly, a full main dealer service history is no guarantee of that.
Indeed, my 2003 Elite came with full dealer history, and its taking me a long time to overcome that level of abuse.
My 1998 MV6 has been in my grubby hands since 2003, and self serviced, except a period when I came a cropper on the bike, and was unable to do anything for a good few months. That is a lovely car, bar the rust that plagues all Omegas.
-
Trying to remember....
2 coil pacs due to loose windscreen seal and scuttle.
1 lambda sensor. To keep lpg happy, probably ok on petrol.
1 stat
1 wiper rod
1 set cam cover seals
2 wheel bearings
1 set poly bushes front
2 sets gm vertical bushes front
2 x set up at wim
1 pair rear donut bushes ( most people wouldn't of bothered with these tbh)
1 glove box latch failure
1 pair drop links
2 dowty washers on rad sensors.
1 Steering box (again, some wouldn't bother)
1 Steering idler
There's been a shed loads of other work but that's a preference thing on my part, not a failure thing on the cars part. Only 110k though.
Heated seat and fuse 14 faults with the seats dont count as the seats aren't original to the car.
-
Oh, mine has had cam cover gaskets too, actually. They were changed at 120k but when I did so I found no leakage into the plug wells and that most of the cam cover bolts had come undone. The gaskets might well have been OK if I'd tightened up the bolts. ;D
-
Trying to remember....
2 coil pacs due to loose windscreen seal and scuttle.
1 lambda sensor. To keep lpg happy, probably ok on petrol.
1 stat
1 wiper rod
1 set cam cover seals
2 wheel bearings
1 set poly bushes front
2 sets gm vertical bushes front
2 x set up at wim
1 pair rear donut bushes ( most people wouldn't of bothered with these tbh)
1 glove box latch failure
1 pair drop links
2 dowty washers on rad sensors.
1 Steering box (again, some wouldn't bother)
1 Steering idler
There's been a shed loads of other work but that's a preference thing on my part, not a failure thing on the cars part. Only 110k though.
Heated seat and fuse 14 faults with the seats dont count as the seats aren't original to the car.
That's a lot of money for repairs, but probably about right for an omega.
-
80k to 170k for me on the 2.2, also trying to think of everything:
2 x Cat Back exhausts
2 x Droplinks
2 x exhaust flexi's
1 x Window door motor
1 x Drivers Door Motor
1 x Cam Sensor
1 x Cam Cover gaskets
2 x of rear set coil springs (KYB are shite!)
1 x stat
1 x set of front shocks
1 x set of front wishbones
1 x steering idler
-
Given that anything that moves or flexes is ultimately a wear and tear component, I include suspension bushes/exhausts/wheel bearings etc in this list, mine is a fairly short list...
Heater matrix.
Radiator.
Engine loom.
Aircon condensor.
Fuel pump, twice.
Engine mount.
Gear box mount.
Crank rear oil seal.
Gearbox rear oil seal.
Rear headlight level sensor (mechanical failure due to sensor/puddle argument).
Handful of instrument bulbs.
Cam cover gaskets (first time is basically a 80-100k service requirement, subsequent changes should be unnecessary)
Not included accident damaged components, as shit happens. But still not a bad list for a 265k mile ex police car/taxi :y
-
On the Silver Bullet, owned over 10yrs, 88k to 215k
Exhaust (now on 4th) in my ownership
Crank sensor x 2
HG
A/C compressor (a few, needs another ;D)
Rear spring
Front shocks x 2
Rear shocks x 1
Coolant bottle (electric fault with sensor)
Door locking motors (several)
Can I include wheels, as the PFL MV6 ones were made of chocolate. x8
Windscreen
Mirror glass (lost a fight with a hedge)
Doors x 4, rust
Stat
Brakes/tyres/bulbs/fluids/filters/belts are all service parts, so not included
TBE, owned for nearly 4 (or is it 5), 54k to 83k
(excluding having a garage land on it)
Coil pack
Stat
Door motor
-
Never had a failed crank sensor on any car let alone an Omega , what do you all do to wreck them ;D
Replaced nothing on this MV6 ... thats going to change when the handbrake gets seen to ::)
-
Have owned my Omega 2.2 for the best part of eight years. 40k to 111k had to replace
Rear springs once
Rear shocks once
Cat to back exhaust once,
H/G and seals.
Coolant tank.
Pair wishbones February 14
Pair Drop links March 14
Windscreen, Pebble damage
Cam cover gasket, twice.
Small dia breather pipe (split)
MAF Sensor. Have original, did not need new, as above.
HBV, boy did that leak take some finding.
Pair front wheel bearings (only one gone)
Have small patches of rust at the front bottom of rear wheel arch, I must fix this summer.
On my third Cambelt and water pump.
ALL original:- Cam, crank, CO2 sensors
Must have missed something, don't think she's done to bad, though :y
-
Trying to remember....
2 coil pacs due to loose windscreen seal and scuttle. £70 each local factors. Genuine bosch
1 lambda sensor. To keep lpg happy, probably ok on petrol. £50 genuine bosch
1 stat. £?
1 wiper rod. £18 iirc
1 set cam cover seals £90? On tc
2 wheel bearings £50 each fag all German.
1 set poly bushes front £50
2 sets gm vertical bushes front £14 each on tc
2 x set up at wim £70 each
1 pair rear donut bushes ( most people wouldn't of bothered with these tbh) £48 iirc
1 glove box latch failure £pence
1 pair drop links £38 on tc
2 dowty washers on rad sensors. Couple of quid
1 Steering box (again, some wouldn't bother)
1 Steering idler £90 on tc
There's been a shed loads of other work but that's a preference thing on my part, not a failure thing on the cars part. Only 110k though.
Heated seat and fuse 14 faults with the seats dont count as the seats aren't original to the car.
That's a lot of money for repairs, but probably about right for an omega.
Feel free to do the maths, v cost of a new/newer car.
Mine cost 3k. + parts only.
-
In 8 years and from about 142,000 to 218,000 mines had:-
1 x pair front springs
1 x pair rear springs
1 x steering idler
1 x radiator
1 x set cam cover gaskets
2 x HBV
3 x Dis packs
1 x set HT leads
1 x pair wishbones
1 x windscreen
2 x exhausts
1 x stat
2 x cranksensors
and a few pairs of windscreen wipers! :D
In the offing set of droplinks, poly bushes for wishbones and maybe a handbrake cable. ::)
-
Trying to remember....
2 coil pacs due to loose windscreen seal and scuttle. £70 each local factors. Genuine bosch
1 lambda sensor. To keep lpg happy, probably ok on petrol. £50 genuine bosch
1 stat. £?
1 wiper rod. £18 iirc
1 set cam cover seals £90? On tc
2 wheel bearings £50 each fag all German.
1 set poly bushes front £50
2 sets gm vertical bushes front £14 each on tc
2 x set up at wim £70 each
1 pair rear donut bushes ( most people wouldn't of bothered with these tbh) £48 iirc
1 glove box latch failure £pence
1 pair drop links £38 on tc
2 dowty washers on rad sensors. Couple of quid
1 Steering box (again, some wouldn't bother)
1 Steering idler £90 on tc
1 eternal exhaust £110 iirc
1 alternator refurbed via Mr Wood. :y
There's been a shed loads of other work but that's a preference thing on my part, not a failure thing on the cars part. Only 110k though.
Heated seat and fuse 14 faults with the seats dont count as the seats aren't original to the car.
That's a lot of money for repairs, but probably about right for an omega.
Feel free to do the maths, v cost of a new/newer car.
Mine cost 3k. + parts only.
Triggers post reminded me of Exhaust. Added for Esta. :)
Damn. And Alternator. :(
-
omega mv6:
abs ecu
front wishbones
rear wheel bearings
HBV
Clutch Slave cylinder
Rocker Gasket covers.
10 yrs old, 200K - in my ownership, actually on road for 12 months, 6,000 miles. c. 1800 quid in repairs.
lexus:
138K - two brake light bulbs (must have been a duff batch) in 15 years (and that's all!)
-
In 8 years and from about 142,000 to 218,000 mines had:-
1 x pair front springs
1 x pair rear springs
1 x steering idler
1 x radiator
1 x set cam cover gaskets
2 x HBV
3 x Dis packs
1 x set HT leads
1 x pair wishbones
1 x windscreen
2 x exhausts
1 x stat
2 x cranksensors
and a few pairs of windscreen wipers! :D
In the offing set of droplinks, poly bushes for wishbones and maybe a handbrake cable. ::)
Opps forgot the alternator and ABS/ECU which was repaired by BBA Reman. ::)
-
Ah, yes, a 2nd hand ABS went on the Bullet, I too forgot about that
-
2.0 Carlton , 4 tyres 1 radiator in three yrs ownership on the road ::)