Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: CaptainZok on 07 November 2006, 14:08:00

Title: Changing Cats
Post by: CaptainZok on 07 November 2006, 14:08:00
Anybody got any tips on swapping the cats on a V6?
How difficult is it with only ramps/ axle stands availible?
Just been quoted £270+vat for the pair fitted, so would it be worth getting them done by a garage or is it easy enough to do myself on the street?
Title: Re: Changing Cats
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 07 November 2006, 14:14:07
Easy enough to do.....they very rarely fail (unless the engine was goosed or have had impact damage) so good second hand ones are a good approach.

Two nuts on the exhaust manifolds reached from underneath with a couple of extensions, two bolts where they join the centre sections (note, its worth using new genuine bolts for these and if you can grind the ends off the old bolts so they are less likely to sheer on removal although if replacing the cats this is not such a big problem).

Then a single bolt into the mounting bracket attached to the gearbox.

Dont forget new front pipe to manifold gaskets.
Title: Re: Changing Cats
Post by: CaptainZok on 07 November 2006, 14:20:36
Cheers Mark, had a misfire which has killed at least one of em, (lacking power and sec air injection blowing out) so I'm assuming the pair are in need of a swap now the cam gaskets are done. Would you use new lambda sensors or will the old ones be servicable?
Title: Re: Changing Cats
Post by: Salty on 07 November 2006, 15:10:26
As a matter of interest where did you get your quote from? not priced this myself yet but that seems a reasonable price.
Title: Re: Changing Cats
Post by: CaptainZok on 07 November 2006, 15:18:47
Local garage/exhaust place Salty.
So obviously won't be VX parts.
Title: Re: Changing Cats
Post by: theolodian on 07 November 2006, 15:28:18
Quote
Local garage/exhaust place Salty.
So obviously won't be VX parts.
Weld-in cats?  Oh dear!
Title: Re: Changing Cats
Post by: The Barge Captain on 07 November 2006, 15:30:35
Quote
Quote
Local garage/exhaust place Salty.
So obviously won't be VX parts.
Weld-in cats?  Oh dear!
I've got a couple of wont go out in the rain cats. Are they the same thing?  ;D
Title: Re: Changing Cats
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 07 November 2006, 16:40:55
No there just the blight on the modern day back garden.......

If they will come out, its worth swapping the sensors over.....should be able to get a pair of cats for about 50 quid.

Are you sure they are gone, do they rattle (normaly a give away!)
Title: Re: Changing Cats
Post by: CaptainZok on 07 November 2006, 16:58:44
Well Im pretty sure ones blocked cos its blowing out the sec air injection couplings and if this is blocked off causes major power loss when lambda goes closed circuit.
Title: Re: Changing Cats
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 07 November 2006, 20:34:45
It could still be the centre exhaust section......when the cat on mine failed, it rattled like a git and I found most of the ceramic contents in the centre section.....its unlikely they would block I think!

Pop the suspect one off and try blowing through it.....
Title: Re: Changing Cats
Post by: Rock on 07 November 2006, 20:38:40
Quote
.....should be able to get a pair of cats for about 50 quid.


Does this apply to the 2.6 too? Vx want 470 odd quid each plus VAT!!!
Title: Re: Changing Cats
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 07 November 2006, 20:46:52
Yep......note, when blowing through them wipe your face afterwards because you can look I right tit walking round with a two inch black ring round your lips....!!!
Title: Re: Changing Cats
Post by: Rock on 07 November 2006, 21:02:24
Are there any differences between the 2.5 / 2.6 / 3.0 cats?

i.e. Would they be the same part numbers for each engine? Have seen some 3.0 cats listed on ebay but didnt know if they would fit the 2.6.
Title: Re: Changing Cats
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 07 November 2006, 22:05:10
2.6 and 3.2 have a twin lambda sensor setup and hence the cat front pipes are different.

Still think your cats will be ok.......just need a compitent dealer to diagnose it properly