Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: JamesV6CDX on 07 August 2008, 01:20:57
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This car is going to keep me busy for a little while. :-X
Pulled up in Surrey to buy, and fair play the car was gleaming. He had well under-sold the condition. Apart from a couple of almost un-noticable bumper scuffs and some marks on the alloys, the only word I can find is mint. And the interior looks like it came straight from the showroom, it really is immaculate for the money. And all the onboard systems work (not tested CD changer yet). The BOSE is AWESOME 8-)
But that's where the honesty in the ad ends.
When the seller wrote on his ad "drives very smoothly" - what he failed to add on the end of that sentance was, "until it changes into top gear, when the transmissions slips like bu99ery and it thumps into gear >:( >:( I will check the level in the morning, but in short, I think the gearbox is rubber ducked.
Also, when driving along the road, it began to tramline like a goodun and generally felt extremely unstable. I stopped and checked tyre pressures - agh.... 15psi in one front - so I corrected these and it was a million times better. Still tramlining a bit though - I suspect steering idler and maybe wishbones need changing.
The engine - when I stopped, I couldn't re-start it. Signs of flat battery >:( Finally got it to catch and noticed that the negative battery terminal was red hot. Poor earth, resulting in poor charging is my guess. Not too difficult a fix.
There is a noticable smell of hot oil - haven't inspected yet 'cos it's dark, but ususal camcover suspect is probably high on the agenda.
Also, the engine - something is amiss. It's full of power and very smooth, but at a steady 68mph on cruise on the M4, I struggled to get 23mpg. I know it's not an economical car, I don't expect that - but this doesn't ring right. Darn good service and take it from there, I think - I suspect the cam timing is way out, the belt definately wasn't done at a dealer last, and I doubt they had the setting kit like we do!
Pulled up at Maria's at about half past midnight after a 4 hrs drive home. Went to take her for a little spin around the block - won't start! It fires, and idles very low, with no throttle response at all. I've a horrible feeling it's run out of petrol, as I ran it on red for a while before getting home, so I probably can't blame anyone but myself for that! ;D (Range says 22 miles, tho!)
Also, the wipers seem to rest half way up the screen. They go to the bottom, but then come up. Will need to investigate that too.
In short, this is a VERY nice car and once it's had these jobs done, will be a real gem. I need to do at minimum:
Cambelt kit, water pump, aux belt, aux belt tensioner.
Camcover gaskets, full breather clean, full service.
Check out and most likely replace the gearbox
New wishbones, new steering idler, check all other suspension and get it setup.
Code read - investigate any errors.
Check all brake components and consider a fluid change
The thing that really annoys me here, is that the seller wasn't honest.
I appreciate it's a case of buyer beware, and I won't complain to him, but He should have put on the ad that it had a major fault with the transmission! He cannot have not known if he drove the car.
The stupid thing is, even with the faults found this car was still a real bargain at what I paid, and I wouldn't have minded at all - I just feel really disheartened that he thought he had to hide it.
Oh well, enough of my rambling. I may sound a bit fed up, but TBH it's better than I expected and I am pleased with my buy. I will sort out the known issues and I think this will be a VERY nice car. :y
On the other hand, if I wasn't mechanically competent to do these jobs myself and with my enthusiast mates here, I would be screwed. It would cost more than the car is worth for a garage to do that lot, whereas in reality for me it won't be a huge amount of money, moreso time.
I think I'd be crying if I bought it and didn't know how to fix it.
Just goes to show - trust nobody :'(
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On the other hand, if I wasn't mechanically competent to do these jobs myself and with my enthusiast mates here, I would be screwed. It would cost more than the car is worth for a garage to do that lot, whereas in reality for me it won't be a huge amount of money, moreso time.
I think I'd be crying if I bought it and didn't know how to fix it.
Just goes to show - trust nobody :'(
I was just going too say that if anyone like myself who wouldnt have a clue what too do or how too fix it would be in deep trouble....luckily your happy with the spanners and know excatly what your doing.
Personaly i feel guys like the seller need a good talking too... >:(
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by the way James, you may be happy with the spanners....
but you left a couple in the GLS!!
Doh!
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Sounds like you got what you wanted James. A mint body work and a good excuse to go play with the spanners..
The gearbox. Allthough I I dont understand how they work I have kept an eye on the forum, also TheBoy posted the PDF 5 speed auto file a couple ago so I had a quick nosey. Could the lack of gear change simply be a need for an oil and filter service, check electrical connections and do a Tech 2 check. As I was reading the Tech 2 upgrade made for smoother gearchanges and locked the drive train up at a lower RPM.
As I say, allthough I own 2 autos I dont understand thier workings, you having driven yours and your experiance might be right in the fact yours could be FUBAR regards the top gear.
Nice buy though, sounds like the making of a good motor for you. :y :y :y
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If this is the same one that was on Ebay and Autotrader thank god I didnt go and see it, like I was going to......I am not at all techy mnded and it would have been a disaster.....!!
Best of luck with it anyway mate, it does look a lovely car, and a beautiful colour.
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Glad its gone to someone who can take that on in their stride.
Sounds bad from the list, but I think a some of that you would do to any new car regardless.
Enjoy it!
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If he undersold the condition of car, is it possible he didn't really think there was an issue with box? If its degraded slowly, and he doesn't drive other autos?
Just a thought, and giving him benefit of doubt, as otherwsie its sounds like he was honest :-/
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by the way James, you may be happy with the spanners....
but you left a couple in the GLS!!
Doh!
JamesV6CDX leaves a trail of spanners wherever he goes IME. ;)
Kevin
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Sounds ideal, body work is harder to sort than a few minor mechanical issues.
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Is my garage going to be needed again for a gearbox change? ;D
If you need some space pop around, i need to do wishbones and idler arm on my 2.2 ...
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Is my garage going to be needed again for a gearbox change? ;D
If you need some space pop around, i need to do wishbones and idler arm on my 2.2 ...
i remain unconvinced about your wishbones, get a 2nd opinion. idler, you can do that, its easy.
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Is my garage going to be needed again for a gearbox change? ;D
If you need some space pop around, i need to do wishbones and idler arm on my 2.2 ...
i remain unconvinced about your wishbones, get a 2nd opinion. idler, you can do that, its easy.
Tbh, i did not feel much difference in mine compared to yours.
Does it need to be WIM'd after an idler change?
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Is my garage going to be needed again for a gearbox change? ;D
If you need some space pop around, i need to do wishbones and idler arm on my 2.2 ...
i remain unconvinced about your wishbones, get a 2nd opinion. idler, you can do that, its easy.
Tbh, i did not feel much difference in mine compared to yours.
Does it need to be WIM'd after an idler change?
ideally yes, but probably not.
Yours needs WIM'ing anyway though.
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Sounds to me like it's racked up a fair bit of mileage with zero attention and maintenance (tyre pressures are testimony to that).
As said, at least mechanical problems can be fixed. Mint bodywork and interior is less easy to arrive at. :-/
A day spent doing all the usual V6 suspects - cam belt, cam covers, breathers, plugs, oil, filters will have the engine running sweet, I'm sure.
Auto box really depends how long the DPO has been driving it round in that state. If it's been slipping for any time you're probably right to suspect gearbox fubar. Suck a little fluid out and put it in a jam jar. Have a look to see if it's full of particles and burnt smelling.
.. then just a couple of details to sort out. :y
Kevin
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Is my garage going to be needed again for a gearbox change? ;D
If you need some space pop around, i need to do wishbones and idler arm on my 2.2 ...
i remain unconvinced about your wishbones, get a 2nd opinion. idler, you can do that, its easy.
Tbh, i did not feel much difference in mine compared to yours.
Does it need to be WIM'd after an idler change?
ideally yes, but probably not.
Yours needs WIM'ing anyway though.
Need to get it booked in for a weekend.
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Jaime - I would love to agree with you regarding the seller maybe not knowing there was an issue - but, you only have to drive it half a mile to know something is wrong - maybe he thought it was normal to drive like a boat, too ;D
All in all I am not upset, it's an ideal buy.
I can see oil dripping from the bellhousing, so I'm going to bung some stop leak in there as a (very) temporary measure and fill it with ATF - even if just so I can get it wherever it needs to go for a box change ;D
Tunnie - I may well take you up on that offer of giving me a hand in your garage, as I'm limited for space these days and lifting a box in does need 2. We could make a weekend or two out of it, do the box on one day and your suspension bits on another :y
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Jaime - I would love to agree with you regarding the seller maybe not knowing there was an issue - but, you only have to drive it half a mile to know something is wrong - maybe he thought it was normal to drive like a boat, too ;D
All in all I am not upset, it's an ideal buy.
I can see oil dripping from the bellhousing, so I'm going to bung some stop leak in there as a (very) temporary measure and fill it with ATF - even if just so I can get it wherever it needs to go for a box change ;D
Tunnie - I may well take you up on that offer of giving me a hand in your garage, as I'm limited for space these days and lifting a box in does need 2. We could make a weekend or two out of it, do the box on one day and your suspension bits on another :y
Sounds like a plan, its only the idler that really needs doing on mine.
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I can see oil dripping from the bellhousing, so I'm going to bung some stop leak in there as a (very) temporary measure and fill it with ATF - even if just so I can get it wherever it needs to go for a box change ;D
I wouldn't chuck stop leak in an auto gearbox. Could immobilise it permanently if it affects the friction in the clutches. If it's not a gusher I'd just keep topping it up. Chances are it's the TC nose seal anyway, and I doubt an additive would stop that.
PM About to be sent, btw.
Kevin
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I'm with Mr Wood, no leak bodge, even if you have no intention of reusing box.
Keep refilling until you can sort
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I'm with Mr Wood, no leak bodge, even if you have no intention of reusing box.
Keep refilling until you can sort
Cool, I'll do that then :y
I'm about to go out for an ATF shower :y ;D
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James, I don't know where you bought the car, but as you say it only had to be driven half a mile to see the gearbox problem, didn't you test drive it? Even on Flea bay you can reject it if it is not as described. Anyway if the price was right a little mending is not a major problem. Just a thought. Good luck with the bigger jobs.
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James, I don't know where you bought the car, but as you say it only had to be driven half a mile to see the gearbox problem, didn't you test drive it? Even on Flea bay you can reject it if it is not as described. Anyway if the price was right a little mending is not a major problem. Just a thought. Good luck with the bigger jobs.
The rules with an ebay auction is that test drives and viewings must be done before auction end, and the buyer must be satisfied with the condition before committing the winning bid.
End of the day, with the price I got it, it's a case of " you pays your money and takes your chance".
If it costs me £300 to put right, it's still a very big bargain :y
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A while ago I would have thought exactly the same, but as my age and waistline approach 50 ( waistline still a bit away, age 50 in 3 weeks )I only do the simple tasks now. Fair play to all those who have the time, knowledge and facilities to keep the Migs running at their best.
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A while ago I would have thought exactly the same, but as my age and waistline approach 50 ( waistline still a bit away, age 50 in 3 weeks )I only do the simple tasks now. Fair play to all those who have the time, knowledge and facilities to keep the Migs running at their best.
I hope I'm as able as my Dad when I'm his age. He still messes about under his car, even giving a helping hand in changing his auto 'box on his Granada. He was 71 last month. :) :y