Omega Owners Forum
Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Hoffi on 15 December 2008, 13:09:56
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:o I've seen a lot of stuff in that place but nothing similar to this!
When I wanted to check my oil level I unscrewed the lid and when removing it there was only on the lid itself and the very top of the filler this creamy, like caramel looking stuff sticking.
I have cleaned it completely and will check in the next days again!
Any idea what that was? :-? I beg this is not my headgasket telling me that it is going to blow up!!! :-[
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This 'mayo' is common on miggies that do short journeys. :D ;)
Take it for a long run and that should sort it. :y
If it doesn't then it is something worse. :(
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@ Lizzie Zoom: Ok, I am doing 4miles in the morning and 4miles in the evening mainly. On Saturday it has been 60miles with most of it on the motorway.
At least if that is the solution I am more than happy to clean the filler every up and than by hand! :)
Thanks for your reply!
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I changed the oil in mine yesterday and there was a little mayo there. It never gets started without doing at least 20 miles and gets driven enthusiastically. It's no cause for concern on a V6 but changing the oil regularly, especially in winter, and keeping the breathers clear will help avoid too much moisture in the crankcase.
Kevin
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Short journeys often cause this, and some oils are more susceptable - Castrol crap in particular appears to cause this.
Be aware if this is happening, there is a good chance that your breathers will be getting in a similar state, so do what you can to minimise it
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Because the oil filler neck sits proud of the engine it is in cooler air and thus on short journeys you get 'mayo' on the filler cap caused by the condensation which does not go because you never get the engine hot enough for long enough to get rid of it. Castrol oils are also more prone to this.
If you want peace of mind, take the filler tube off (by pulling up the tab and twisting it) and put the oil filler cap straight onto the rocker cover, you will no longer get any mayo...
As long as there is no mayo on your dipstick (headgasket) or oil in the coolant expansion tank(oil cooler) you are OK.
Takes a lot to blow the headgasket on a V6, usually by cooking it...
Lee
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Should add, HG failures on v6 are very rare, and most of those are between coolant ways and outside world.
Also, on HG failure on v6, its very unusual to see water in oil due to locations and pressures involved.
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@ Lizzie Zoom: Ok, I am doing 4miles in the morning and 4miles in the evening mainly. On Saturday it has been 60miles with most of it on the motorway.
At least if that is the solution I am more than happy to clean the filler every up and than by hand! :)
Thanks for your reply!
That is the answer then, 4 miles one way means the car is never warming up to full operating temprature, and will give you all kinds of trouble eventually far worse than mayo on your oil filler cap.
I personally would not use a car like a miggy for such short runs, but if I did it needs regular 3,000 mile oil changes, and a very good non-stop run to fully heat up the exhaust, engine components (to circulate the oil) and recharge the battery. Your 60 mile run on Saturday's will help, but it does not retard the possible damage the short runs are doing doing the week. :( For any car they can be a killer! :o
Once a car is started try running it for at least 20 minutes each time just to allow the battery to be recharged with the power used when starting, and importantly to allow the oil to heat up and circulate around the engine fully. ;)
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Alright than! Thanks for your replies!
This is the first time I have this issue with one of my cars and there have been others, 4 and 6 Cyl engines which didn't deliver such a thing although they were driven over a similar distance too.
But alright, knowing this will let me check more often the oil filler.
Breather pipes have been cleaned two month ago, will redo it next spring with a new set of rubber sealing rings to have it done 100%!
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Alright than! Thanks for your replies!
This is the first time I have this issue with one of my cars and there have been others, 4 and 6 Cyl engines which didn't deliver such a thing although they were driven over a similar distance too.
But alright, knowing this will let me check more often the oil filler.
Breather pipes have been cleaned two month ago, will redo it next spring with a new set of rubber sealing rings to have it done 100%!
Yup, keep on top of the breathers :y
As said earlier, some oils are more prone. Vx own oil (good value on tradeclub) seems to be less prone to this issue, so thats what I use :)
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Hello there, There is a solution to this problem. I plug my Omega in to the mains. I have a car port, and in half an hour her engine is up to working temp. She's proper spoiled!! Never hardly has a cold start. I have fitted an engine pre heater to my last 3 cars, and just would not consider being without one. The benefits for Omega and our comfort, that is my rhumatoid disabled wife, and myself is super,I'll bet it would be even better for the tractors,you obviously have to have a safe mains point, capable of electric kettle type current draw,in my case a mains socket on the house wall, where the car port is, does the job fine. Now the hight of luxury! The pre heater can be wired to switch on the car heater on reaching a working temp. So you regular working guys with the help of a switching timer would have a warm car, mist free windows,immediately.This piece of BRITISH kit is well up to the job if installed proper. I got mine 9yrs ago and put it in 2 Cavs & 1 MV6, and now my present Elite,During that time the system has had 1 replacement pump and 2 12v power supplies, the pump has special features, and likewise the 12v power supplies. The pump is non restrictive when not active, and the power supply which is for the pump, has I understand delayed switch off. Heres the best bit. The pre heater fits into an Omega engine bay very well. No drilling or adapting is required although some re modelling of the heater matrix feed and return hoses is needed.If any of you guys decide to fit one I will be happy to answer any queries on location ect. Oh and to come back to the Caramel trouble don't a good quality oil help? I always use Mobil 0/40 and never had a trace of Caramel-Custard.
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Oh Dear just read my post and realised I haven't mentioned the maker must put it wright its Kenlowe.
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Oh Dear just read my post and realised I haven't mentioned the maker must put it wright its Kenlowe.
I've often wonder if one of these would pay for itself my removing the need to warm up on petrol in the morning. I could start up on LPG. :-/
Kevin
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It's a damn fine idea that Cliffo. Good improvement in fuel economy due to the lack of enriched fuelling when cold; great improvement in comfort on cold mornings, and the best bit...
... very big reduction in engine wear, most of which happens in the first minute or two after a cold start. All for about 15p-worth of 'lectric a day.
Just wish I had off-street parking. :'(
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Oh Dear just read my post and realised I haven't mentioned the maker must put it wright its Kenlowe.
I've often wonder if one of these would pay for itself my removing the need to warm up on petrol in the morning. I could start up on LPG. :-/
Kevin
My thoughts too!
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Thats right Abiton,The 1st Cav I fitted it on had noisy tappets on cold start, and mechanical noise drives me mental. So I fitted the pre heater to solve cold start noise, and it sure works along with all the other benefits. :y :y :y
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Hello Kevin I think it may possibly work. The engine coolant is certainly heated up fairly quickly. optional spec parts are available and as I know you appreciate and understand the technicals 50deg or 80deg stats, along with 2.0 kw and 3.0 kw heater elements are available. Over the years I have always dealt with Jeff Handover in technical and believe me he's always answered my queries ok, and with patience!! I think there may be more optional parts, as I believe the system can be adapted for all night use ie, emergency vehicles. Out of interest as I am a caravan club member and need to use site hook up. I have a 2.0kw heater element with an 80deg stat.
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I'd have to work out a system whereby it didn't rip my bumper off if I drove off without unplugging it, of course... ;)
Hmm. Interesting. Thanks for the info. :y
Kevin
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I'd have to work out a system whereby it didn't rip my bumper off if I drove off without unplugging it, of course... ;)
Hmm. Interesting. Thanks for the info. :y
Kevin
From what my brothers tell me, its fairly standard kit in the north of Canada, TBH... Including the 'Oh Fk' insta-release electrical coupling.... ;)
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I'd have to work out a system whereby it didn't rip my bumper off if I drove off without unplugging it, of course... ;)
Hmm. Interesting. Thanks for the info. :y
Kevin
from another forum:-
When I was in Canada many years ago the locals used to fit an electric kettle element into the sump and connect it to a drive away socket. You put an extension cord onto this gadget, plugged it into a timer and it heated the sump oil up in the morning. The special socket was for the inevitable time when you rushed out and forgot to disconnect it.
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The driveaway problem does not happen, with the standard special mini socket and plug I locate the socket in the lower grill on a bracket between the louvre where it is hardly noticed, and importantly ensure my drive away direction is reverse out of the car port. Should I forget to unplug it simply disengages.The wiring is very safe utilizing flexible armoured cable on the car from socket to heater unit. Its all about "location location" as our vanished Mr Blair would say! :y :y :y