Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: dippydave on 04 June 2007, 13:50:39

Title: brummy mechanics? oily coolant aagh!
Post by: dippydave on 04 June 2007, 13:50:39
I've not long acquired a 2.5v6 elite with only 81k that i thought would give me a simple life. ('only just serviced mate') However, it's got teething troubles and if there are any birmingham/midlands based mechanics out there that can help then please get in contact!.

i'm not too bad with a haynes, but my OH wants bathroom lights and other priorities which limits time under the bonnet! as i'm only a newbie on here i've read lots of threads and hope i'm not repeating too much.

Despite having omegas for years my first oily coolant prob has arisen! It seems from all the info here that there is a problem with the oil cooler. And agreeing with previous comments, every garage i've rang about the problem says straight away it's head gasket! grrr! they don't like it when i say head gasket is a rare failure on the v6!  :'(

symptoms are brown oily stuff in the header tank. a  stiff cap, fluid leaking after driving through traffic the other day (noticeable in a shiny new multistorey!) and now an empty gungy header tank.

help? advice? shall i do a coolant flush for now unti a proper remedy can be sought?
one dealer quoted nearly £300 for a oil cooler, plus labour, and advised me not to drive as the gunge will be clogging everything up!

ps there's even that dreaded 'burning oil smell' but no evidence of rocker gasket leakage... yet :-|
Title: Re: brummy mechanics? oily coolant aagh!
Post by: Dazzler on 04 June 2007, 14:05:55
Wheres the water gone???? have you checked the oil level and filler cap??
Title: Re: brummy mechanics? oily coolant aagh!
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 04 June 2007, 14:09:22
Well thats definatley oil cooler and no you shouldnt drive it.....

Parts are around 100 ish quid......
Title: Re: brummy mechanics? oily coolant aagh!
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 04 June 2007, 14:29:47
Quote
Well thats definatley oil cooler and no you shouldnt drive it.....

Parts are around 100 ish quid......

I offer a mobile mechanic's service to forum members, not as a business, but just an enthusiastic individual. This means that I charge extremely low rates.

I'm confident with the mechanics of the V6, and could certainly come and change an oil cooler for you.

I'll PM you my details, if you like to get in touch. :y

PS - when was the timing belt last done...
Title: Re: brummy mechanics? oily coolant aagh!
Post by: dippydave on 04 June 2007, 19:46:48
thanks for the advice! the oil level's still the same, no evidence of water that i can see. it's only 400 miles old and looks good! apart from the one load of water appearing on the car park, i have no idea where the rest went! the cap's clean too. it's just the header tank that's gungy.  :-/

timing belt was done at 73k, about two years ago. i contacted the garage that did it this morning and they're 'looking through old paper work' for me. i'll try again tomorrow! they did say that as a matter of course they swap tensioners as well  :)  but not water pumps  >:(

guess i'm back to driving the r*ver for a bit then.
Title: Re: brummy mechanics? oily coolant aagh!
Post by: dippydave on 04 June 2007, 19:47:59
i've read that a bypass valve can split on the back, could this be a cause of water loss? :S
Title: Re: brummy mechanics? oily coolant aagh!
Post by: TheBoy on 04 June 2007, 22:17:23
not usual for the rubber hoses to fail following cooler leak, also for the water pump seal to go....
Title: Re: brummy mechanics? oily coolant aagh!
Post by: dippydave on 05 June 2007, 10:48:40
not usual, but possible, is that what you're saying?  :-/
Title: Re: brummy mechanics? oily coolant aagh!
Post by: ians on 05 June 2007, 11:47:33
did you mean 'not UNusual' TB?
Title: Re: brummy mechanics? oily coolant aagh!
Post by: Ronald_McBurger on 05 June 2007, 16:16:08
OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER



[size=48]it is your OIL COOLER!!!!!!![/size]
Title: Re: brummy mechanics? oily coolant aagh!
Post by: Andy B on 05 June 2007, 19:42:03
Quote
OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL   .........................


[size=48]it is your OIL COOLER!!!!!!![/size]

So Ronald. What do you reckon the problem is?  ;D
Title: Re: brummy mechanics? oily coolant aagh!
Post by: dippydave on 05 June 2007, 19:46:37
lol. subtley put. i like it  8-) thanks mr ronald.

i spoke to a mechanical minded friend of mine today who agrees it's likely the cooler but never likes to rule out head gaskets until - and he started to lose me with these - he'd done compression tests, dye in coolant and even in the oil too!

guess it's a methodical approach needed. oh and anyone know a good supplier of stainless oil coolers?

Title: Re: brummy mechanics? oily coolant aagh!
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 05 June 2007, 19:49:22
Quote
lol. subtley put. i like it  8-) thanks mr ronald.

i spoke to a mechanical minded friend of mine today who agrees it's likely the cooler but never likes to rule out head gaskets until - and he started to lose me with these - he'd done compression tests, dye in coolant and even in the oil too!

guess it's a methodical approach needed. oh and anyone know a good supplier of stainless oil coolers?


Getting those tests won't hurt

But it's still your oil cooler ;)
Title: Re: brummy mechanics? oily coolant aagh!
Post by: dippydave on 07 November 2007, 14:07:49
an update to inform and say thanks!

indeed my oil cooler was in a bad state, and was duly replaced, system flushed a few times and oil, filter, coolant and the reservoir cap all replaced too. Tests were run to confirm gasket was ok! all in came to just under £400 if memory serves.

unfortunately that wasn't the end of the saga as a few days later the water started disappearing again!

The water bypass valve had gone faulty. Another £60 or so, another flush, refill etc etc and the motor is running ok.

A bit above the prices I thought, but then again the work went on longer too and getting in there twice didn't help!

thanks for your comments, I think the bill would've been higher without!

TTFN.

............................now it's winter woes time....alarms, tyres, etcetc :)
Title: Re: brummy mechanics? oily coolant aagh!
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 07 November 2007, 14:15:09
Quote
OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER



[size=48]it is your OIL COOLER!!!!!!![/size]

Nice to see you again  :y
Title: Re: brummy mechanics? oily coolant aagh!
Post by: Elite Pete on 07 November 2007, 14:20:06
Quote
Quote
OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER OIL COOLER



[size=48]it is your OIL COOLER!!!!!!![/size]

Nice to see you again  :y
That was posted on June 5th ;)
Title: Re: brummy mechanics? oily coolant aagh!
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 07 November 2007, 18:47:53
oops didnt check the date.. :-[ But really I wanted to see him back here
Title: Re: brummy mechanics? oily coolant aagh!
Post by: dippydave on 08 November 2007, 02:58:43
lol. nice thoughts guys. yes i did post back in june, that's why my post yesterday was an update! i been busy! nice to see it's still friendly and busy on here :)