Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: tgm147 on 07 January 2012, 13:29:16

Title: Bloody coolant (or lack of) again!
Post by: tgm147 on 07 January 2012, 13:29:16

Hi guys. Sorry to be back with another problem.

The car has decided to start drinking coolant again. I presumed it was the head gasket going but there's so much water going now I'd be surprised if it would run at all. It's getting through a third of a bottle of coolant a day, it's going within maybe 20 miles. If that was head gasket, then the clouds of smoke out the back would be huge if the engine ran wouldn't it? There's no bubbles or oil in the coolant either or water in the oil. I"m guessing it's a leak somewhere but even after sitting overnight, the system is still pressurized. Does this suggest a leak somewhere? Engine never overheats but is in need of a new thermostat. It only hits maybe 80-85 on the gauge max. I've just been out to top it up again now and something caught my eye. There's a damp patch near the bottom of the engine, by the oil filter. Not sure what it is but grabbed a photo anyway.

(http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/1171/07012012133.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/13/07012012133.jpg/)

EDIT: That's the right colour for the coolant now I can see it on the computer. Couldn't tell outside without the flash.

Have you guys got any ideas? I need to drive the thing to London and back in a day next week so I've got to sort it ASAP.

Cheers.

Title: Re: Bloody coolant (or lack of) again!
Post by: Entwood on 07 January 2012, 14:13:18

Main source of coolant leaks on the Omega is the Heater Bypass Valve . HBV . Piece of kit right at the back of the engine that looks like the starship enterprise !!! Has different modes of failure.. often only leaking at certain selected temperatures..... if you wish to try ... it may not leak, or leak less, with the air con turned off.

There is a guide for the V6, but not for the 4 pot .. and I know nowt about the tiny engine variety .. :)

Title: Re: Bloody coolant (or lack of) again!
Post by: tgm147 on 07 January 2012, 14:22:10

I had the HBV done about 2000 miles ago with a new one! Thinking maybe water pump?

Title: Re: Bloody coolant (or lack of) again!
Post by: RobG on 07 January 2012, 14:27:25

Whip the cambelt cover off to check waterpump. If it`s leaking suggest do ASAP as it`s driven by the cambelt and you don`t want that letting go

Title: Re: Bloody coolant (or lack of) again!
Post by: GastronomicKleptomaniac on 07 January 2012, 21:15:49

Quote from: RobG on 07 January 2012, 14:27:25

Whip the cambelt cover off to check waterpump. If it`s leaking suggest do ASAP as it`s driven by the cambelt and you don`t want that letting go

And new cambelt - rather than reusing the contaminated one...