Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Ratty on 07 August 2009, 10:19:32

Title: Smell Of Oil
Post by: Ratty on 07 August 2009, 10:19:32
Every so often (not all the time) I get the smell of oil coming through the vents it only lasts a few seconds and then it's gone, lifted the bonnet and had a sniff around but couldn't find anything but then I'm not a blood hound ;)

Any ideas?
Title: Re: Smell Of Oil
Post by: tunnie on 07 August 2009, 10:26:30
any cam cover gasket leaks?
Title: Re: Smell Of Oil
Post by: Ratty on 07 August 2009, 10:29:02
not that I can see, it looks as dry as a bone under there.
Title: Re: Smell Of Oil
Post by: bob.dent on 07 August 2009, 10:35:15
Sounds like classic symptoms of rocker cover gaskets. Had this with my last Omega, not always easy to see the leak but it sure stinks when it comes in through vents - not normally noticeable when on a run as the passing air dispels it, but as soon as you stop it starts wafting in.
Title: Re: Smell Of Oil
Post by: Ratty on 07 August 2009, 10:58:28
hmmm, if that's the case is it an easy job to do?
Title: Re: Smell Of Oil
Post by: bob.dent on 07 August 2009, 11:13:35
Quote
hmmm, if that's the case is it an easy job to do?

Not something I could do as I'm no mechanic but there's a "how to" in the Maintenance Section....
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1152564281

I think my local independent garage charged around £200 all in.


Title: Re: Smell Of Oil
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 07 August 2009, 11:43:47
If it is the cam cover gaskets which it sounds as though it could be (any oil in the spark plug wells?), it is a straightforward, but at times awkward, job costing around £40. ;) ;) ;) ;)

I would never pay £200 to have them done, not only because of the price, but also due to doubts about the quality of the work, with the essential need to use genuine Vx parts!! ;) ;) ;)
Title: Re: Smell Of Oil
Post by: bob.dent on 07 August 2009, 11:52:31
Quote
If it is the cam cover gaskets which it sounds as though it could be (any oil in the spark plug wells?), it is a straightforward, but at times awkward, job costing around £40. ;) ;) ;) ;)

I would never pay £200 to have them done, not only because of the price, but also due to doubts about the quality of the work, with the essential need to use genuine Vx parts!! ;) ;) ;)

It's a tried and trusted garage I've used for years Lizzie, they really do a proper job with genuine VX parts - although independent, they are BMW/Vauxhall specialists. I think my £200 charge included a couple of other minor jobs they did at the same time. Unfortunately we aren't all blessed with vehicle maintenance talents. ::)
Title: Re: Smell Of Oil
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 07 August 2009, 11:55:57
Quote
Quote
If it is the cam cover gaskets which it sounds as though it could be (any oil in the spark plug wells?), it is a straightforward, but at times awkward, job costing around £40. ;) ;) ;) ;)

I would never pay £200 to have them done, not only because of the price, but also due to doubts about the quality of the work, with the essential need to use genuine Vx parts!! ;) ;) ;)

It's a tried and trusted garage I've used for years Lizzie, they really do a proper job with genuine VX parts - although independent, they are BMW/Vauxhall specialists. I think my £200 charge included a couple of other minor jobs they did at the same time. Unfortunately we aren't all blessed with vehicle maintenance talents. ::)

No, fair enough Bob. :-[ :-[ :-[ I do tend to forget that vital point! ::) ::) ::) ::) :-[ :-[ ;) ;)
Title: Re: Smell Of Oil
Post by: Ghost on 07 August 2009, 12:46:36
If you are a bit of a diy person then it should be easy for you to do mate. If not there might be someone in your area that could help you out, but as lizzie said I dont trust garages either for there quality of work.
And as Bob rightly said not everyone can use a spanner,
The job looks big but if you take your time it should be no prob. :y
Title: Re: Smell Of Oil
Post by: Ratty on 07 August 2009, 14:28:25
I used to be a diy mechanic before Arthritis took hold so now just do the very easy stuff, plus back in the day it was easy to work on engines, no computers and sensors to worry about just an array of sockets, spanners and a nice rain free day was all I needed :) sadly motors are extremely more complicated these days, but I think I might give this a go in the very near future.

 I'm keeping an eye on the oil level and so far it seems ok so if it is a leaky gasket i think it's only a minor one.
Title: Re: Smell Of Oil
Post by: Pete Elite on 07 August 2009, 20:06:06
Quote
I used to be a diy mechanic before Arthritis took hold so now just do the very easy stuff, plus back in the day it was easy to work on engines, no computers and sensors to worry about just an array of sockets, spanners and a nice rain free day was all I needed :) sadly motors are extremely more complicated these days, but I think I might give this a go in the very near future.

 I'm keeping an eye on the oil level and so far it seems ok so if it is a leaky gasket i think it's only a minor one.


   Trouble is it's not a matter of the amount of oil lost so much as where it's going :(.

  If it's going into your plug wells it will start to kill your leads and plugs and cause missfires, and make sure you only use genuine VX parts(inc. black sealent)as cheap copies are crap and don't last :y.
Title: Re: Smell Of Oil
Post by: Ratty on 07 August 2009, 20:15:12
cheers for the heads up, looks like it'll have to be done sooner rather than later then.
Title: Re: Smell Of Oil
Post by: Pete Elite on 07 August 2009, 20:23:23
Quote
cheers for the heads up, looks like it'll have to be done sooner rather than later then.

  Wish i could take credit for the info. Ratty but it's only what I've learnt from this great site :)
Title: Re: Smell Of Oil
Post by: Ratty on 07 August 2009, 20:26:43
I agree, the info and help is great, they do seem to be a loveable bunch of rogues ;)

Hope I'm around long enough and learn enough to put something back into it :)
Title: Re: Smell Of Oil
Post by: Pete Elite on 07 August 2009, 20:32:30
Quote
I agree, the info and help is great, they do seem to be a loveable bunch of rogues ;)

Hope I'm around long enough and learn enough to put something back into it :)

  Whilst in the ownership of a Miggy, I'm almost sure you will ;D.