Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: JesterRT on 30 November 2010, 12:36:01

Title: Corsa Trouble
Post by: JesterRT on 30 November 2010, 12:36:01
Well I think my Corsa's finally died.  Started up on Sunday and a torrent of oil and water poured out under the car.  I got it up onto ramps to have a look and noticed that where it had been parked were two small silver discs - a bit like a jam jar lid, but one being the size of a 5p piece and the other about three times the size.  The bigger had deposits similar to years of coolant and the other was clean as a whistle.
My thought are that these used to belong in the block somewhere, but they've been blown out - anyone ever seen anything like this before?  Think I may have to get another small motor to commute in but may spend some time stripping this one down just to see where they've come from.
Title: Re: Corsa Trouble
Post by: Elite Pete on 30 November 2010, 12:38:47
They sound like core plugs and they pop out if you haven't got enough antifreeze in the water and it freezes. You can buy new ones and replace them ;)
Title: Re: Corsa Trouble
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 30 November 2010, 12:40:39
Quote
Well I think my Corsa's finally died.  Started up on Sunday and a torrent of oil and water poured out under the car.  I got it up onto ramps to have a look and noticed that where it had been parked were two small silver discs - a bit like a jam jar lid, but one being the size of a 5p piece and the other about three times the size.  The bigger had deposits similar to years of coolant and the other was clean as a whistle.
My thought are that these used to belong in the block somewhere, but they've been blown out - anyone ever seen anything like this before?  Think I may have to get another small motor to commute in but may spend some time stripping this one down just to see where they've come from.


Sounds like a core plug  to me,  Look at the side of the block and see if there are any holes where a plug should be.

If so you are lucky, and a new one can be forced back in place ;) ;)


EDIT:  Too slow typing; Pete beat me to it!! ::) ::) ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Corsa Trouble
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 30 November 2010, 12:44:59
Core plugs and a result of no antifreeze....naughty naughty
Title: Re: Corsa Trouble
Post by: JesterRT on 30 November 2010, 12:49:43
Sounds hopeful :)

Need the engine to thaw out though...  I did have anti-freeze in, but I've had an ongoing leak in a pipe that crosses underneath the exhaust manifold which I can't access to fix (and can't find the name of or part number for on the well known electronic repair manual - perhaps because the engine is acutally made by Isuzu and the details aren't terrific).  The result is that I've been topping up with water rather than anti-freeze solution so it was probably far too diluted to make any difference. 

Oil and water though - both little plugs are 'Core Plugs'?  Are they a friction fit then - so essentially do I need to bash new ones in with a hammer?
Title: Re: Corsa Trouble
Post by: albitz on 30 November 2010, 13:04:31
Yep knock them in with a hide mallet,or protect them with a piece of wood while you hammer the piece of wood. That is assuming they are easily accessible. I think it may also be possible that you could have a cracked block.
Edit. core plugs would account for the loss of water, but not loss of oil. Unless you already had oil mixed in with the water due to a previous problem? :-/
Title: Re: Corsa Trouble
Post by: Welung666 on 30 November 2010, 13:07:55
Jester, the pipe that's leaking, is it the one that runs from the by-pass housing to the waterpump and has a bolt braket attached?
Title: Re: Corsa Trouble
Post by: JesterRT on 30 November 2010, 13:23:57
I think that's the pipe - yes.

@Albs - that's what I thought.  When I saw liquid pouring beneath the car I thought it would be water, but it's definitely mixed with oil so I'm going to assume the worst - I doubt there's any reason for oil to be coming out.  Tempted to try and get the engine out to see where the crack is.  Oil wasn't mixing before this weekend.
Title: Re: Corsa Trouble
Post by: Welung666 on 30 November 2010, 13:27:28
In that case then:-

Engine no. 0 - 975024  97086480
Engine no. 975025 - 1334922  97103748
Engine no. 1334923 -          94364570
and you'll need the gasket 94002500

:y
Title: Re: Corsa Trouble
Post by: Kneepad on 30 November 2010, 14:25:30
The core plugs are easily replaced. Assuming you can get easy access.
The new ones are dished and fitted with the bowed side out, they are a comfortable fit but will not seal until you smack them dead centre with a ball pein hammer.
Title: Re: Corsa Trouble
Post by: Andy B on 30 November 2010, 16:38:55
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The core plugs are easily replaced. Assuming you can get easy access.
The new ones are dished and fitted with the bowed side out, they are a comfortable fit but will not seal until you smack them dead centre with a ball pein hammer.

The last core plugs I fitted to a Mk II Cavalier were like these, and went in with the aid of a suitable sized socket and had the concave side outwards.

(http://www.thor-racing.co.uk/images/rb30_core_plugs.jpg)

You mean these:-

(http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/cooling/pics/core_plug4.jpg)

I've no ida which type are fitted to the Corsa TD though  :-/
Title: Re: Corsa Trouble
Post by: Welung666 on 30 November 2010, 16:44:16
The top ones Andy :y
Title: Re: Corsa Trouble
Post by: Andy B on 30 November 2010, 16:47:53
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The top ones Andy :y

I thought they would be  :y  :y
Title: Re: Corsa Trouble
Post by: Welung666 on 30 November 2010, 16:50:32
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Quote
The top ones Andy :y

I thought they would be  :y  :y

My old ex-taxi Isuzu engined Chavalier was forever blowing the rear left one out. Turned out to be the head gasket pressurising the coolant ;D
Title: Re: Corsa Trouble
Post by: Andy B on 30 November 2010, 17:00:43
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Quote
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The top ones Andy :y

I thought they would be  :y  :y

My old ex-taxi Isuzu engined Chavalier was forever blowing the rear left one out. Turned out to be the head gasket pressurising the coolant ;D

SWMBO's late Uncle was quoted ££££££££££'s for a new engine to be fitted in his Cavalier by some Edinburgh garage due to loss of water  >:( >:(. So when he went on holiday & the car was left here I had a look. It took me a couple of hours of time to remove the inlet manifold & carb and about 50p each for 3 core plugs.
Title: Re: Corsa Trouble
Post by: Kneepad on 30 November 2010, 21:09:26
Quote
Quote
The core plugs are easily replaced. Assuming you can get easy access.
The new ones are dished and fitted with the bowed side out, they are a comfortable fit but will not seal until you smack them dead centre with a ball pein hammer.

The last core plugs I fitted to a Mk II Cavalier were like these, and went in with the aid of a suitable sized socket and had the concave side outwards.

[img]
You mean these:-

[img]
I've no ida which type are fitted to the Corsa TD though  :-/

Yes, I was referring to the disc type in the 2nd pic, was unaware the Corsa used the other type.  :y