Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Rockfordk on 22 December 2008, 09:43:29

Title: Possible Head gasket failure, any advice?
Post by: Rockfordk on 22 December 2008, 09:43:29

A desperate plea!! I have a 2.2 GLS, 2003. I noticed a steamy appearance to my exhaust fumes, which were more noticible than usual. Having checked my coolant it was extremely low. I filled up, took a 15 mile drive and it was extremely low again, losing most of what I had topped up.
Could it be anything else other than a blown head gasket. Oil doesn't look too bad. No sludge on dipstick. Although I did top up before noticing coolant loss.
It has not lost any coolant overnight whilst stood.
Car has been a little juddery occasionally recently.
Any ideas how much to have garage replace if indeed it is bad news. Is it safe to drive on short journeys if gasket has gone. Garage I use is about 30 miles away.
Any help would be much appreciated

Title: Re: Possible Head gasket failure, any advice?
Post by: tunnie on 22 December 2008, 12:33:35

don't panic yet! It could be the HBV (Heater bypass valve)

First point of call check the hbv and see if thats leaking....

Does it run lumpy on a cold start?

Title: Re: Possible Head gasket failure, any advice?
Post by: Rockfordk on 22 December 2008, 12:54:35

It has been juddering a bit from cold recently. If I switch off and start up again it can clear it

Title: Re: Possible Head gasket failure, any advice?
Post by: tunnie on 22 December 2008, 18:05:18

so it judders from cold? but then clears?

Sorry to say that sounds like water in the cylinders which is getting burnt off  :'(

Title: Re: Possible Head gasket failure, any advice?
Post by: Rockfordk on 23 December 2008, 09:57:58

Thank you for the advice. Have booked car into garage in new year to have a check

Title: Re: Possible Head gasket failure, any advice?
Post by: tunnie on 23 December 2008, 10:27:38

one way to test before it goes to the garage, when the coolant has dropped, unscrew the cap to the bottle and straight away stick your nose in there!

Best to do it with the engine off...

If you can smell petrol then its most likely HG :(

Title: Re: Possible Head gasket failure, any advice?
Post by: Rockfordk on 23 December 2008, 10:47:03

Thanks for that. Will give it a try.