Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Ploppy on 03 April 2010, 22:57:10

Title: Coolant Level
Post by: Ploppy on 03 April 2010, 22:57:10: hi,

my coolant level is starting to get low, think this is normal ,,,

However, what coolant should I use, mixture and best place to buy ???

Its for my 2003 Omega 3,2 special...

Thanks Ploppy 8-)
Title: Re: Coolant Level
Post by: Entwood on 03 April 2010, 23:04:04: VX own red stuff .. mixed 50/50 with clean water . :)

If you don't know what is in yours at the moment, it is worth draining down, flushing with clean water until clear (including heater side) the refilling with 50/50 Vx red .. it'll last you 2 years and clean and protect your engine .. :)

Best way to buy is with a VX trade card .. :)
Title: Re: Coolant Level
Post by: I_want_an_Omega on 03 April 2010, 23:26:33: Be careful, wear goves/wash hands as the coolant is poisonous :'(
Title: Re: Coolant Level
Post by: Ploppy on 03 April 2010, 23:58:37: Thanks for info... dont need alot so hopefully VX will sell a small bottle,,,,,

Thanks Ploppy :y
Title: Re: Coolant Level
Post by: Ploppy on 04 April 2010, 00:01:17: How do you get a VX trade card??
Title: Re: Coolant Level
Post by: RobG on 04 April 2010, 00:08:57: Join ABS http://www.autobahnstormers.org/club_information/club_info.asp £20 a year
Title: Re: Coolant Level
Post by: Ploppy on 04 April 2010, 00:18:29: Thanks !!

Ploppy
Title: Re: Coolant Level
Post by: TheBoy on 04 April 2010, 08:29:35: Quote
Thanks for info... dont need alot so hopefully VX will sell a small bottle,,,,,

Thanks Ploppy :y
You need just under 5l if you are flushing it through - and if the car is new to you, I would recommend doing this, rather than top-ups.
Title: Re: Coolant Level
Post by: feeutfo on 04 April 2010, 10:55:57: nobody asked where the coolent is going, why is it low? is there a leak? surely?
Title: Re: Coolant Level
Post by: Shackeng on 04 April 2010, 18:08:34: Quote
hi,

my coolant level is starting to get low, think this is normal ,,,

However, what coolant should I use, mixture and best place to buy ???

Its for my 2003 Omega 3,2 special...

Thanks Ploppy 8-)

No its not! :o
Title: Re: Coolant Level
Post by: Ploppy on 04 April 2010, 23:41:42: No leaks that I can find, just usual usage over time I think . ;D
Title: Re: Coolant Level
Post by: Andy B on 04 April 2010, 23:44:09: Quote
No leaks that I can find, just usual usage over time I think . ;D

Cars have a closed, sealed coolant system and shouldn't loose water.
You're loosing water ........... HBV, header tank cap, leaking hose, etc
Title: Re: Coolant Level
Post by: less on 04 April 2010, 23:45:19: Quote
No leaks that I can find, just usual usage over time I think . ;D

I don't think it is usual to lose water even over time. You probably have a small leak, possibly the heater bypass valve which may be intermittent in nature and often is not visible.

edit - must type faster :P
Title: Re: Coolant Level
Post by: Ploppy on 04 April 2010, 23:46:53: Thanks people,,,will have a closer look !!
Title: Re: Coolant Level
Post by: Andy B on 04 April 2010, 23:48:30: Quote
Thanks people,,,will have a closer look !!

HBV can leak or not leak depending on the heat settings selected or whether the a/c is on or not ;)
Title: Re: Coolant Level
Post by: Ploppy on 04 April 2010, 23:57:28: Brill,

where is the HBV located? Is it easy to change... any pics ??

Regards

Ploppy
Title: Re: Coolant Level
Post by: Andy B on 05 April 2010, 00:02:32: Quote
Brill,

where is the HBV located? Is it easy to change... any pics ??

Regards

Ploppy

Have a look in the maint section, there's a how to do there. It lives at the back of the driver's side of the engine & is a pain to get to ..... ;)

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1193594464 :y
Title: Re: Coolant Level
Post by: Ploppy on 05 April 2010, 00:33:22: Fantastic !!!!

Thanks !!!

Ploppy :y
Title: Re: Coolant Level
Post by: cmeonthemove on 05 April 2010, 17:39:35: Ploppy I would also recommend checking for leaks when the engine is at operating temperature in case it's a small hose leak that is only apparent under pressure, when coolant is hot. I had a very similar issue to yours which turned out to be a leaky rad pipe which only leaked when the engine was running.

Whereabouts in Norfolk are ye?
Title: Re: Coolant Level
Post by: ScaniaV8 on 06 April 2010, 13:23:49: ANDY B...can you be more precise with your thoughts on the HBV leak issue? What settings prevents leakage?
cheers
Title: Re: Coolant Level
Post by: Andy B on 06 April 2010, 19:19:36: Quote
ANDY B...can you be more precise with your thoughts on the HBV leak issue? What settings prevents leakage?
cheers

I can only say for mine when it was last changed. I was loosing water, I tried knocking the A/C off and my HBV stopped leaking, with the A/C back on the HBV started to leak again.
This was on a Sunday afternoon in Kent, so we drove back to the caravan site ordered a new one the following day, drove to Lizzie's dealer with ECO set and changed it on the site. :y
Title: Re: Coolant Level
Post by: feeutfo on 07 April 2010, 08:53:05: Quote
ANDY B...can you be more precise with your thoughts on the HBV leak issue? What settings prevents leakage?
cheers
i dont think there's any rule to it, it depends how the hbv fails, your job is to recreate the settings in which it leaks when diagnosing.
It may leak constantly as a trickle or dump the entire contents on the floor.
Best bet is to remove scuttle on drivers side and get access to it, feel if its wet, if not start the engine, if still dry change the climate control to low and check repeat on various settings. Coolent coloured stains are also a clue.