Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: oli3lv6 on 09 June 2007, 09:04:47

Title: heads off time ?
Post by: oli3lv6 on 09 June 2007, 09:04:47

well it hurts me to say my 1997 3l v6 elite has blown its head , we have listened to many ideas but the facts are pointing to head

The facts
1.when dye was put in collant it detected exhaust gases
2.it runs perfect but if header tank cap is screwed down it will blow a hose after a while its done 2 allready
3.there is no water in oil
4.and no oil in water as i can see its very brown
5.it only loses water when you unscrew cap when pressurised cause air is pushing it out
6.when it gets to temp top hose is shaking and you can hear the air in system
7.basicaly over pressurises after about 20 miles
8.no smoke out of my exhaust and no running probs

so basicaly if anyone thinks differnt let me no advice would be great , and if it is heads they will be done cause its the best estate i have ever driven  :y

Title: Re: heads off time ?
Post by: Martin_1962 on 09 June 2007, 09:11:32

Sounds like proof, I expect Mark will be along later

Title: Re: heads off time ?
Post by: JasonH on 09 June 2007, 10:03:40

I agree sounds like the head gasket - they rarely fail, but it can happen.

My neighbour's Astra has a very similar set of symptoms and has been gas tested to reveal HG failure.

If you get a HG set off Ebay don't use the exhaust manifold gaskets or rocker cover gaskets. Only genuine exhaust manifold and rocker gaskets are worth fitting.

Title: Re: heads off time ?
Post by: Admin on 09 June 2007, 10:10:55

Well it pains me to say it, but if it is detecting gases in the header tank then I suspect you are right. :(

While you are down there, I would think about doing the oil cooler and thermostat too.

On the positive side, when Mark did his, it became the quietest, smoothest and fastest Omega I have come across! Damn it was good!

Title: Re: heads off time ?
Post by: oli3lv6 on 09 June 2007, 10:16:22

cheers its got to be done what sort of cost am i looking at do you think

Title: Re: heads off time ?
Post by: JasonH on 09 June 2007, 10:23:56

If you pay a garage - a lot.

If you buy the HG set and bolts off Ebay and supplement with genuine where appropriate it could be around £100 parts + £55 for genuine rocker gaskets.

Title: Re: heads off time ?
Post by: oli3lv6 on 09 June 2007, 10:28:00

will the heads have to be skimmed and is it worth putting cam belt kit on it

Title: Re: heads off time ?
Post by: Martin_1962 on 09 June 2007, 11:28:30

Always worht a cam belt

Title: Re: heads off time ?
Post by: JasonH on 09 June 2007, 11:32:39

Head skim has been discussed on this forum (or perhaps another place) a while ago. I think the conclusion was:

Have a look and see, a very light skim may be in order but with a V6 the skim could potentially affect the fitting of the various manifolds.