Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Greenbay packer on 26 January 2025, 13:00:50

Title: Switchover valve
Post by: Greenbay packer on 26 January 2025, 13:00:50
I've recently found that the intake duct switchover valve on my 2.5 V6 is broken, the top pipe connection having snapped off. I have no idea how this happened or how long its been broken but the break doesn't look like a fresh one. This is not a part I've had experience of previously but after having looked on here and in Haynes I now have a rough idea what it does. My questions are: 1) is it easy to replace? - sounds simple enough in Haynes; and 2), what affect will/ should this break have on the performance of the vehicle?

My reason for question 2) is that I've noticed no difference in the running of the vehicle so I'm curious to learn what difference replacing the unit should make? If I'm understanding what I've read I would expect a faulty unit to lead to a loss of power and worse fuel consumption - is this correct and would it also have an affect on exhaust emissions? I had trouble getting through last years MOT due to exhaust emissions (high in CO2 if memory serves, but it finally passed after a lot of revving) and am wondering if this faulty unit may have played a part in that.

Thanks for in advance any replies given.
Title: Re: Switchover valve
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 26 January 2025, 13:06:23
There's a guide as to how it works and what to expect. Might be in the FAQs
Title: Re: Switchover valve
Post by: Greenbay packer on 26 January 2025, 15:55:59
There's a guide as to how it works and what to expect. Might be in the FAQs

Have looked again under 'switchover guide' and got various hits but can't find a guide or anything that answers my specific questions.
Title: Re: Switchover valve
Post by: sjc on 26 January 2025, 16:58:13
Multi ram vacuum pipe connection diagram and technical notes:

https://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90499.0 (https://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90499.0)

https://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90513.0 (https://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90513.0)
Title: Re: Switchover valve
Post by: TheBoy on 27 January 2025, 09:21:11
So, is it the actual actuator bit you've bust - the bit with the electrical connector? Or that actual valve?

The actuator vac feed pipe can get knocked, which breaks them clean off.  This actuator is connected to the valve via a ball and socket rod, which I'm not sure I've ever seen one break.

99% certain that both actuators are the same, and if not physically damaged, tend to be reliable, so one from a breaker should be fine to use.
Title: Re: Switchover valve
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 27 January 2025, 10:38:19
So, is it the actual actuator bit you've bust - the bit with the electrical connector? Or that actual valve?

The actuator vac feed pipe can get knocked, which breaks them clean off.  This actuator is connected to the valve via a ball and socket rod, which I'm not sure I've ever seen one break.

99% certain that both actuators are the same, and if not physically damaged, tend to be reliable, so one from a breaker should be fine to use.
The actual flap assembly is interchangable too.
Title: Re: Switchover valve
Post by: Greenbay packer on 27 January 2025, 13:03:41
So, is it the actual actuator bit you've bust - the bit with the electrical connector? Or that actual valve?

The actuator vac feed pipe can get knocked, which breaks them clean off.  This actuator is connected to the valve via a ball and socket rod, which I'm not sure I've ever seen one break.

99% certain that both actuators are the same, and if not physically damaged, tend to be reliable, so one from a breaker should be fine to use.

(https://i.postimg.cc/Y2G53TWj/Switchover-valve.jpg)

This is the part that is broken, perhaps I should have called it the valve solenoid? Its located on the back of the air intake pipes as shown in pic 17.4 4A.23 of Haynes - the top pipe connection has snapped off. I think the part number for it is 90466214. I found it by chance so have no idea how long its been broken or how it happened but I'm surprised I haven't noticed a difference in performance. From what I've read I believe this part being broken may affect fuel ecomomy/ consumption and if this is correct I'd be particularly grateful for confirmation that this in turn may have a affect on exhaust emissions due to the problem I mentioned in my first post.
Title: Re: Switchover valve
Post by: Greenbay packer on 27 January 2025, 13:07:13
(https://i.postimg.cc/W1LTgTY2/Switchover-valve.jpg)
Title: Re: Switchover valve
Post by: TheBoy on 27 January 2025, 13:14:51
From that pic, looks like the long thin pipe, rather than the vac actuator?

I'm sure you've read the links someone provided earlier, so know its there to increase drivability by flattening the torque curve :)
Title: Re: Switchover valve
Post by: Greenbay packer on 27 January 2025, 13:29:18
All I know at the moment is that its the top pipe as I look down on the part from above so I'm tyring to learn more. I did read that about the torque curve, etc, but will this part being broken have any affect on emmissions?
Title: Re: Switchover valve
Post by: sjc on 27 January 2025, 13:32:34
Yes, you have a vacuum leak which will most likely effect emissions.
Title: Re: Switchover valve
Post by: Greenbay packer on 29 January 2025, 10:21:35
Yes, you have a vacuum leak which will most likely effect emissions.

Thank you for the confirmation, that gives me hope that once I've dealt with the leak I may have an easier time with this years MOT.