Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: rastiman on 29 June 2009, 17:56:49

Title: Engine "Cleaners" - a good idea or not?
Post by: rastiman on 29 June 2009, 17:56:49
Hi All

My 98 2.5 V6 is "finally" working on all 6 cylinders after the garage decided to jet wash the engine before I bought her, slowly killing the spark plugs, leads and eventually DIS!  [smiley=angry.gif]

However, the mechanic I use (another Omega fanatic!) says it still feels sluggish - even though the multiram system is now working too.

The problem (I suspect) is that the old girl has only done 29,000 miles in nearly 11 years - yes 11 years!!! The old guy that had her before has had her from new, and last year only did 700 miles.

Could it be her innards are a little clagged from just pottering down the shops and golf course?

The other thing is the gearbox seems to think it has 5 gears instead of 4................ somewhere between 3rd & 4th.  :o

The question I have is, on an engine this old with this amount of mileage, is it a good idea to pour a bottle of these so called "cleaners" into a full fuel tank?

The tickover is a little bit like the engine is "shivering" when warm, so could it be grotty injectors etc?

Any advice re the cleaning idea is much appreciated, as I dont want to cause myself any further expense at the moment!!!

Cheers peeps!  :)
Title: Re: Engine "Cleaners" - a good idea or not?
Post by: jonathanh on 29 June 2009, 18:09:11
my guess would be clogged breathers: give em a clean plus a couple of oil changes.  I'd also work it through the rev range a bit more.  gearbox is likely to be the selector- probably gummed up through lack of use.  There is a way of cleaning but I don't know how - i have a manual....

also, make sure it has had a recent canbelt change.  despite low mileage the age could do the tensioners in.  if you are not certain that the belt and tensioner kit has been fitted then get it done

Title: Re: Engine "Cleaners" - a good idea or not?
Post by: rastiman on 29 June 2009, 18:27:58
Hi Jonathanh - thanks for the advice, Im very wary of cambelts as I've known several people who have lunched their engines when the belt has snapped.

I forgot to mention she has a full service history, and the cambelt was done a couple of years ago (twice in total I believe).

I've got a Haynes lurking about, so I'll have a look and see what it says about the breathers and gearbox - being a bit "green" on engines, I might get my mech to have a look as he only charges me about £20 an hour.

Im taking her down to Wheels in Motion Saturday, so the 200 mile round trip should help (plus the 300 mile trip last week) should loosen things up a little  ;D
Title: Re: Engine "Cleaners" - a good idea or not?
Post by: feeutfo on 29 June 2009, 18:33:45
never bothered with "cleaners" myself. Only ever seen it make a difference on a diesel and even then it was debateable.
Would be starting with the gear box issue personally.
Title: Re: Engine "Cleaners" - a good idea or not?
Post by: Grumpy on 29 June 2009, 19:23:59
Quote
Hi All

My 98 2.5 V6 is "finally" working on all 6 cylinders after the garage decided to jet wash the engine before I bought her, slowly killing the spark plugs, leads and eventually DIS!  [smiley=angry.gif]

However, the mechanic I use (another Omega fanatic!) says it still feels sluggish - even though the multiram system is now working too.

The problem (I suspect) is that the old girl has only done 29,000 miles in nearly 11 years - yes 11 years!!! The old guy that had her before has had her from new, and last year only did 700 miles.

Could it be her innards are a little clagged from just pottering down the shops and golf course?

The other thing is the gearbox seems to think it has 5 gears instead of 4................ somewhere between 3rd & 4th.  :o

The question I have is, on an engine this old with this amount of mileage, is it a good idea to pour a bottle of these so called "cleaners" into a full fuel tank?

The tickover is a little bit like the engine is "shivering" when warm, so could it be grotty injectors etc?

Any advice re the cleaning idea is much appreciated, as I dont want to cause myself any further expense at the moment!!!

Cheers peeps!  :)

Are you sure that it is not just the mechanical lock
engaging when you go over approx 50mph in 4th?

This drops the revs down as the lock goes in and
 can make it seem like you've gone up another gear
if you're not used to the car.
Title: Re: Engine "Cleaners" - a good idea or not?
Post by: Toby on 29 June 2009, 19:29:24
Give it an Italian tune up  ;)

See if that helps
Title: Re: Engine "Cleaners" - a good idea or not?
Post by: rastiman on 29 June 2009, 19:59:49
I think the old girl would blow a fuse in shock if she went over 5,000 rpm!!!  ;D

Re the gearbox, it shifts fine up to about 50mph (3rd), then seems to go into another gear, holding revs at about 3000, then slips into the final ratio at 70mph where the torque lockup kicks in. It also "slips" briefly when in final ratio at 60mph if the accelerator is used to maintain speed, but on a motorway at 70 the lock seems to hold.

It could just be lack of use thats causing it - I'll keep an eye on it and if it continues, I'll change the atf to see if that helps.
Title: Re: Engine "Cleaners" - a good idea or not?
Post by: TheBoy on 29 June 2009, 20:23:45
If you fancy popping up to the East Anglia meet next weekend, I'm sure we'll pass opinion :y
Title: Re: Engine "Cleaners" - a good idea or not?
Post by: Bent valve on 29 June 2009, 20:24:22
Quote
my guess would be clogged breathers: give em a clean plus a couple of oil changes.  I'd also work it through the rev range a bit more.  gearbox is likely to be the selector- probably gummed up through lack of use.  There is a way of cleaning but I don't know how - i have a manual....

also, make sure it has had a recent canbelt change.  despite low mileage the age could do the tensioners in.  if you are not certain that the belt and tensioner kit has been fitted then get it done

I have heard this on here many times! PLEASE can some one explain to me how age can affect a bearing race? Do they put sell by dates on cambelt kits?
Title: Re: Engine "Cleaners" - a good idea or not?
Post by: TheBoy on 29 June 2009, 20:26:20
Quote
Quote
my guess would be clogged breathers: give em a clean plus a couple of oil changes.  I'd also work it through the rev range a bit more.  gearbox is likely to be the selector- probably gummed up through lack of use.  There is a way of cleaning but I don't know how - i have a manual....

also, make sure it has had a recent canbelt change.  despite low mileage the age could do the tensioners in.  if you are not certain that the belt and tensioner kit has been fitted then get it done

I have heard this on here many times! PLEASE can some one explain to me how age can affect a bearing race? Do they put sell by dates on cambelt kits?
 
i think the grease may be the issue. Yes, cambelt kits have a date on...
Title: Re: Engine "Cleaners" - a good idea or not?
Post by: Bent valve on 29 June 2009, 20:35:11
Quote
Quote
Quote
my guess would be clogged breathers: give em a clean plus a couple of oil changes.  I'd also work it through the rev range a bit more.  gearbox is likely to be the selector- probably gummed up through lack of use.  There is a way of cleaning but I don't know how - i have a manual....

also, make sure it has had a recent canbelt change.  despite low mileage the age could do the tensioners in.  if you are not certain that the belt and tensioner kit has been fitted then get it done

I have heard this on here many times! PLEASE can some one explain to me how age can affect a bearing race? Do they put sell by dates on cambelt kits?
 
i think the grease may be the issue. Yes, cambelt kits have a date on...
  Grease!  I never thought of that. is the date a manufacture date or use by date ?
Title: Re: Engine "Cleaners" - a good idea or not?
Post by: HerefordElite on 29 June 2009, 20:43:09
Quote
Quote
my guess would be clogged breathers: give em a clean plus a couple of oil changes.  I'd also work it through the rev range a bit more.  gearbox is likely to be the selector- probably gummed up through lack of use.  There is a way of cleaning but I don't know how - i have a manual....

also, make sure it has had a recent canbelt change.  despite low mileage the age could do the tensioners in.  if you are not certain that the belt and tensioner kit has been fitted then get it done

I have heard this on here many times! PLEASE can some one explain to me how age can affect a bearing race? Do they put sell by dates on cambelt kits?
 

despite doing low miles in mine prob 5000 year max, it's mostly in town, stop start motoring puts a lot more strain on tensioners and belts than sitting on the motorway eating the miles away :y
Title: Re: Engine "Cleaners" - a good idea or not?
Post by: i260 on 30 June 2009, 17:24:16
Quote
Quote
Hi All

My 98 2.5 V6 is "finally" working on all 6 cylinders after the garage decided to jet wash the engine before I bought her, slowly killing the spark plugs, leads and eventually DIS!  [smiley=angry.gif]

However, the mechanic I use (another Omega fanatic!) says it still feels sluggish - even though the multiram system is now working too.

The problem (I suspect) is that the old girl has only done 29,000 miles in nearly 11 years - yes 11 years!!! The old guy that had her before has had her from new, and last year only did 700 miles.

Could it be her innards are a little clagged from just pottering down the shops and golf course?

The other thing is the gearbox seems to think it has 5 gears instead of 4................ somewhere between 3rd & 4th.  :o

The question I have is, on an engine this old with this amount of mileage, is it a good idea to pour a bottle of these so called "cleaners" into a full fuel tank?

The tickover is a little bit like the engine is "shivering" when warm, so could it be grotty injectors etc?

Any advice re the cleaning idea is much appreciated, as I dont want to cause myself any further expense at the moment!!!

Cheers peeps!  :)

Are you sure that it is not just the mechanical lock
engaging when you go over approx 50mph in 4th?

This drops the revs down as the lock goes in and
 can make it seem like you've gone up another gear
if you're not used to the car.

Would be my suggestion too.
Title: Re: Engine "Cleaners" - a good idea or not?
Post by: Kieran on 30 June 2009, 18:52:17
You could get the gearbox serviced, it may help with new oil in it as old oil does go off :y
Title: Re: Engine "Cleaners" - a good idea or not?
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 30 June 2009, 20:23:33
I applied carbon clean when I buy the miggy..

do I recommend to someone with high mileage,  NO..

try injector cleaners and frequent oil changes..


Title: Re: Engine "Cleaners" - a good idea or not?
Post by: rastiman on 03 July 2009, 08:04:58
Many thanks for the advice guys, I'll leave it alone re the engine cleaner and see if she loosens up with some long runs!

I have prior committments this weekend, so unfortunately wont be able to make the EA meet this year  :-[ Fingers crossed for next year!  :y

As for the gearbox, I think Grumpy is right. The torque lock probably hasnt engaged in years, and it feels like this is the problem in 3rd.

The cambelt was changed in 2002 at 18,938 miles, and again at 26,429 in 2007. My book says it should be changed every 8 years / 80,000 miles which seems an awfully long interval..........
Title: Re: Engine "Cleaners" - a good idea or not?
Post by: Varche on 03 July 2009, 15:04:59
4 years or 40,000 miles whichever comes soonest.

Just done mine at "4 years" and the belt looked brand new but the tensioner had a small amount of play. Not worth the risk of a failure.

varche