Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: humbucker on 14 February 2009, 23:37:11

Title: towing an (automatic) omega
Post by: humbucker on 14 February 2009, 23:37:11
1) might have to tow a poorly omega home 80 miles (not mine thankfully). looks like head gasket failure. anyway, my question was is this possible? if the ignition is on im assuming the power steering will be working but wasnt sure if this was a good idea as battery might die out being left on all that time?

it might be a better idea to call the aa and get them to tow it back for me, but again this poses another question:

2) the car is an automatic so can this be towed in neutral? i heard this would destroy the gearbox but needed to be sure.

thanks as always  :y
Title: Re: towing an (automatic) omega
Post by: Mr Skrunts on 14 February 2009, 23:40:17
If its a HG failure then you cant run the engine, the power steering unit is generally belt driven.

I would take advnatge of the AA.
Title: Re: towing an (automatic) omega
Post by: Elite Pete on 14 February 2009, 23:40:29
Best thing to do is unbolt the prop shaft at the back axle ;)
Title: Re: towing an (automatic) omega
Post by: HGV mechanic on 14 February 2009, 23:42:16
ive had this conversation my self on here, it seems ok to tow short distences, 10mls at no more than 40mph, as i have done,,, but for 80 mls seems to me a bit far, to play safe i would disconnect prop, or take half shaft out, to be safe other wise i belive there is a build up of pressure in gear box causing it to go bang  hth
Title: Re: towing an (automatic) omega
Post by: Timbuk on 14 February 2009, 23:42:48
Power steering wont work unless the engine is running, prop shaft needs to be disconnected to tow an auto that far
Title: Re: towing an (automatic) omega
Post by: albitz on 14 February 2009, 23:43:13
power steering wont work unless engine is running.
You really need to disconnect or take the propshaft off to tow that sort of distance.They need to be towed at low speed so it would take you a long time to cover the 80 miles,even at low speed it might do damage if towed for that distance.I think it,s because the transmission pump doesnt run if the engine isnt running.  :y
Must type faster. :)
Title: Re: towing an (automatic) omega
Post by: ngrainqey on 14 February 2009, 23:43:37
i'v had a couple of autos, and had a few towed both to me and away from me lol, they seem fine but that was about 30 miles not 80...

if you have the ignition on then even then the power steering only operates while the engines running, with an A-frame on the car the wheels follow the road, unless your reversing- then they have a paddy and go the opposite way or whichever way they feel like

the only thing with towing an auto is that the oil burns off when it starts getting hot (it wont by circulating) so you can either trundle along all the way or stop every say 35 miles just to let it cool down
Title: Re: towing an (automatic) omega
Post by: bunnyfoker on 14 February 2009, 23:54:24
of course, :D is it the head gasket, or is it the famous oil cooler problem
Title: Re: towing an (automatic) omega
Post by: humbucker on 15 February 2009, 00:00:26
Quote
of course, :D is it the head gasket, or is it the famous oil cooler problem

wont know til i get there, i have asked all the right questions just waiting to hear back. fingers crossed its the latter!
Title: Re: towing an (automatic) omega
Post by: humbucker on 15 February 2009, 00:01:38
he did also say re the gearbox that it sticks in snow mode or something on occasion. box needs a top up? or something worse?

[size=9](i might tell him to find the nearest scrapper at this rate haha)[/size]
Title: Re: towing an (automatic) omega
Post by: Darth Loo-knee on 15 February 2009, 00:08:37
You may have to be careful towing an omega with an omega incase a copper pulls you ::)
Title: Re: towing an (automatic) omega
Post by: HGV mechanic on 15 February 2009, 00:29:39
Quote
You may have to be careful towing an omega with an omega incase a copper pulls you ::)

oh yeah lol  ::)
Title: Re: towing an (automatic) omega
Post by: markey mark on 15 February 2009, 00:30:08
50 miles at 50 mph max or will cook box  :y
Title: Re: towing an (automatic) omega
Post by: Darth Loo-knee on 15 February 2009, 00:31:26
Quote
50 miles at 50 mph max or will cook box  :y

Thats with the propshaft attached though aint it ;)
Title: Re: towing an (automatic) omega
Post by: markey mark on 15 February 2009, 01:13:39
Quote
Quote
50 miles at 50 mph max or will cook box  :y

Thats with the propshaft attached though aint it ;)

oh aye with it disconnected you can tow to the moon and back if you want  ;D
Title: Re: towing an (automatic) omega
Post by: humbucker on 17 February 2009, 22:43:52
thanks for the advice chaps. doesnt look like i'll have to bother after all, but its info worth knowing in case i ever need to tow my own anywhere.

 :y  :y  :y
Title: Re: towing an (automatic) omega
Post by: MutantCav on 17 February 2009, 22:52:30
Would that be a TD by any chance??
Title: Re: towing an (automatic) omega
Post by: humbucker on 17 February 2009, 23:00:03
no an elite
Title: Re: towing an (automatic) omega
Post by: MutantCav on 17 February 2009, 23:11:45
Oh ok lol Sticky snow button just rings a bell from ebay auction a while ago lol