Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Webby the Bear on 22 April 2022, 21:08:33

Title: V6 head removal
Post by: Webby the Bear on 22 April 2022, 21:08:33
Hi guys hope ur all good

I have manifold gasket or cracked manifold causing slight fumes in to the car. I have one or more dead lifters. I have leaking cam covers. A duff thermostat. And slight coolant leak from the cooler plate.
My wheel arches are just starting to turn again. The front bumper has a recent scuff. I need at least two tires and two track rod ends.

And this is a car that I’ve always looked after. Talk about all things coming at once 🤣🤣🤣

Anyway I want to take me old man to the vaux fest again this year and I don’t want to take my shed the way it is. All these things have honestly had me looking at new cars.

However the reality is I can’t see anything that I’d like as much and it’s fairly cheap to maintain.

Anyway I’ve decided to stick with the devil I know and I’m gonna take it off road for couple of weeks and take the heads off and get all these things done with the plan to get me and the old boy to the vaux fest.

I’ve done this job before so I know what to expect. Couple of quick questions on things I’ve forgotten about… that metal coolant pipe that runs parallel with drivers exh. manifold…. is it 1 bolt holding it to head or block and is it accessible?
Last question… can u remind me where u put that green snot? If memory serves it’s just under the front cam caps but honestly can’t remember 🤣

Cheers in advance boys 👍
Title: Re: V6 head removal
Post by: Webby the Bear on 22 April 2022, 21:11:53
Oh and that coolant pipe… where does that snake to?
Title: Re: V6 head removal
Post by: Nick W on 22 April 2022, 22:21:37
Oh and that coolant pipe… where does that snake to?


Two bolts attach it to the back of the engine, just inboard of the coil pack. It's sealed with an O-ring. Removal is pretty obvious once you've removed the inlet manifolds and alternator.


Lift the heads with the exhaust manifolds attached to save a load of faffing about. You definitely want to refit them like that.


I bought 4 new lifters when I did my headgaskets because I could hear some of them were noisy. I checked and cleaned them all, and replaced the four worst ones. I only bought four because that's all they had at about £2 each. Use 10w40 oil, as that makes the engine run noticeably quieter than 5w30. Leaks less too.


A smear of sealant is needed around the front cam caps; I just used some generic stuff(probably Wurth) for such jobs.
Title: Re: V6 head removal
Post by: Webby the Bear on 22 April 2022, 22:34:34
Thanks Nick much appreciated 👍 what at the back does the o ring seal go in to. I just can’t picture it. Also do those coolant lines next to the oil filter need to come off?
Title: Re: V6 head removal
Post by: Webby the Bear on 22 April 2022, 22:50:30
One thing I thought of also…. all the washers and plate for cooler etc still available at vaux? I tried to get the down pipe gaskets and they said they no longer make them so I’m guessing some of this stuff is no longer available 🤷‍♂️
Title: Re: V6 head removal
Post by: Nick W on 22 April 2022, 22:55:07
Thanks Nick much appreciated 👍 what at the back does the o ring seal go in to. I just can’t picture it. Also do those coolant lines next to the oil filter need to come off?


It fit just like the thermostat housing. It might even be the same o-ring. Although being German it's just as likely to be microscopically different for some reason ::)


I vaguely remember removing the oil cooler fittings, but left the lines in place. Something needed to be moved - again, German


Aren't the cooler bolts banjos? In which case, they're just copper washers.


Why the opps would you buy downpipe gaskets from GM???
Title: Re: V6 head removal
Post by: BazaJT on 23 April 2022, 10:31:41
The oil cooler pipes need detaching from the engine at side of oil filter[they're just ordinary nut type fittings undone with a crows foot spanner] the engine end are then banjo bolts and the pipes can then be moved aside to remove cooler plate/cooler.If you weren't removing the heads then the coolant bridge would also need removing but as you are removing the heads you'll have to do that anyway.
Title: Re: V6 head removal
Post by: Webby the Bear on 23 April 2022, 11:01:32
Lovely stuff guys thanks very much for the input. I’ll get some WD on them cooler lines near the oil filter cos they look questionable 🤣🤣🤣

So the o ring fitting on that coolant pipe does it just push in to the block somewhere?

To be honest I’ll probably end up ripping it all out. If it looks like it vaguely might be in the way it’s coming off 🤣🤣🤣

Cheers men for all ur help 😃😃😃👍👍👍
Title: Re: V6 head removal
Post by: Webby the Bear on 23 April 2022, 11:05:01
Thanks Nick much appreciated 👍 what at the back does the o ring seal go in to. I just can’t picture it. Also do those coolant lines next to the oil filter need to come off?


It fit just like the thermostat housing. It might even be the same o-ring. Although being German it's just as likely to be microscopically different for some reason ::)


I vaguely remember removing the oil cooler fittings, but left the lines in place. Something needed to be moved - again, German


Aren't the cooler bolts banjos? In which case, they're just copper washers.


Why the opps would you buy downpipe gaskets from GM???

Yeah I’d have thought so but I’ve never had it apart before so I don’t know. I remember the coolant bridge had some weird funky rubber insert on the banjo bolts so wondered if that was the same deal with the cooler??
Title: Re: V6 head removal
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 23 April 2022, 11:55:32
Hi Webby!  :)

When I did mine a few years ago, I followed James's excellent step by step guide and found the process fairly straight forward.  :y

Enjoy!  :)

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90560.0
Title: Re: V6 head removal
Post by: biggriffin on 23 April 2022, 12:22:10
If the oil cooler is fine, then leave it alone.  Same as the heads do you need to remove them, is the head gasket gone,  you said it's just exhaust manifold gasket, so just change them. If it ain't broke don't fix it.
Title: Re: V6 head removal
Post by: Migv6 le Frog Fan on 23 April 2022, 15:00:18
With that list of jobs I would be considering looking around for a good Omega that doesnt need all that work.
Not many left I know, but they are out there.
Title: Re: V6 head removal
Post by: Raeturbo on 23 April 2022, 16:03:20


Picture of 2003 Vauxhall Omega 3.2 v6 elite estate For Sale
2003 Vauxhall Omega 3.2 v6 elite estate For Sale
£9,995
Vauxhall omega elite v6 automatic estate tourer!!!! the ultimate vauxhall tourer 10 stamp service history, 83,000 miles, 3 owners. exceptional condition throughout. just had full service, timing belt replacement, 4 new uniroyal rainsport 5 tyres, alloys refurbished, fully loaded, 3.2 v6 super smooth engine, automatic ...
83,500
6 Mar 2022
Private
                      Well some are fetching pretty good money😱
Title: Re: V6 head removal
Post by: Migv6 le Frog Fan on 23 April 2022, 16:07:43
The seller can ask it, bit the chances of him getting anywhere near it are slim to none.
Title: Re: V6 head removal
Post by: Raeturbo on 23 April 2022, 17:21:49
Yes indeed very nice though👍
Title: Re: V6 head removal
Post by: Webby the Bear on 23 April 2022, 17:29:36
Lol thanks for all the advice but if I got a new car it wouldn’t be an omega that would probably have a list of its own issues.

As for the need to remove the heads. My way of thinking is I want to change those lifters and getting the manifolds out for inspection is easier just to come off with the heads. Also there’s a few bolt holes in the heads that need helicoiling so I’ll get those done at same time. Whilst the head is off being tested I can get the other bits done. And then wallop. One or two weekends later shes back on the road. That’s the plan anyway 😃
Title: Re: V6 head removal
Post by: GastronomicKleptomaniac on 23 April 2022, 17:49:59
Ive taken a veritable smorgasbord of photos around my 3.2 while it was sat on the floor out of the car. PM me your number if you want them WhatApping over :y
Title: Re: V6 head removal
Post by: BazaJT on 23 April 2022, 18:50:05
The coolant bridge has what are called Dowty washers[from memory 4 of them two per bolt] the oil cooler pipes are held to the oil cooler by banjo bolts-again from memory it goes oil cooler,rubber "O" ring,cover plate,thin metal washer,nut,thin metal washer,oil cooler pipe,thin metal washer,banjo bolt.
Title: Re: V6 head removal
Post by: Nick W on 23 April 2022, 20:12:27
With that list of jobs I would be considering looking around for a good Omega that doesn't need all that work.



The only way of getting one that doesn't need the usual full suspension rebuild or a load of often delayed engine work is to find a car that recently had it done by someone who knows what they're doing and can prove both. Then you need to ensure that the car isn't hiding a lot of hard to fix rot. That all means that such cars are very hard to find. Fixing a car whose history you know is actually the simple, straightfoward, quick and cheapest option
Title: Re: V6 head removal
Post by: Webby the Bear on 23 April 2022, 22:21:11
Ive taken a veritable smorgasbord of photos around my 3.2 while it was sat on the floor out of the car. PM me your number if you want them WhatApping over :y

Thanks gk. pm now 😃
Title: Re: V6 head removal
Post by: Webby the Bear on 23 April 2022, 22:25:20
With that list of jobs I would be considering looking around for a good Omega that doesn't need all that work.



The only way of getting one that doesn't need the usual full suspension rebuild or a load of often delayed engine work is to find a car that recently had it done by someone who knows what they're doing and can prove both. Then you need to ensure that the car isn't hiding a lot of hard to fix rot. That all means that such cars are very hard to find. Fixing a car whose history you know is actually the simple, straightfoward, quick and cheapest option

That’s my idea mate. Just try n keep the old bus going.

I am going to do oil pressure test and compression checks too just before I start just to see if there’s anything wrong elsewhere 👍
Title: Re: V6 head removal
Post by: Enceladus on 24 April 2022, 03:37:53
Last question… can u remind me where u put that green snot? If memory serves it’s just under the front cam caps but honestly can’t remember 🤣

There's some photos in the guide here (http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90542.0).
However don't use the GM "green snot". I know the green sealer is in Haynes and also TIS but it goes hard and then crystallises, which contributes to leaking. Instead use the black high temperature sealer for the oil pan, GM part 90485251. Actually it doesn't have to be black, there are other colours. Just that the GM Opel sealer is black and way over priced. Grey sealer was used in the guide photos
Title: Re: V6 head removal
Post by: biggriffin on 24 April 2022, 07:59:32


Picture of 2003 Vauxhall Omega 3.2 v6 elite estate For Sale
2003 Vauxhall Omega 3.2 v6 elite estate For Sale
£9,995
Vauxhall omega elite v6 automatic estate tourer!!!! the ultimate vauxhall tourer 10 stamp service history, 83,000 miles, 3 owners. exceptional condition throughout. just had full service, timing belt replacement, 4 new uniroyal rainsport 5 tyres, alloys refurbished, fully loaded, 3.2 v6 super smooth engine, automatic ...
83,500
6 Mar 2022
Private
                      Well some are fetching pretty good money😱


 Weres the link, so we can look at it, then slag it off :y
Title: Re: V6 head removal
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 24 April 2022, 10:14:45
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255504113631

This one?

Mileage is about ripe for ALL the Omega goodness :D
Title: Re: V6 head removal
Post by: biggriffin on 24 April 2022, 11:22:50
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255504113631

This one?

Mileage is about ripe for ALL the Omega goodness :D

Now if that's the one I think it is??

That came from Hoof'land was owned by a lovely old chap, who Gave yes gave it away to the guy who did all the servicing on the car,, I missed it because I was on holiday,, I offered a price on the car,  :'(
Title: Re: V6 head removal
Post by: Raeturbo on 24 April 2022, 16:32:59
https://www.carandclassic.com/cat/3/42/omega/



Yes same one.