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1

Omega General Help / Re: Spark Plugs Diagnose / Headgasket Failure

« on: 11 September 2021, 21:23:42 »

The hose that connects the valve to the back of the head has been changed about 3 years ago. As for the valve it self has been changed 7 years ago. Both where original GM.
As far as I can tell the water drops from the back of the head exactly where the ruber hose connects!
Has I said earlier, I think that is due to ecessive pressure.

The larger hose that links the thermostat to the radiator gets a bit hard I think it's not normal...
Today I've checked for air leaks, only three cylinders but till now can only ear a small leak about 10% or even less is escaping throught out the dipstick.
I'm not sure but I think it's pretty normal.

2

Omega General Help / Re: Spark Plugs Diagnose / Headgasket Failure

« on: 10 September 2021, 11:05:18 »

They don't look too horrible... The tan cores look about normal, but again short journeys means a lot of rich running, especially if the cooling system isn't working correctly, so you'll get some build up from the cumulative over fuelling.

Put another way, they would benefit from a clean/decent fuel and a work out. But they aren't fouled or covered in oil

I was a bit worried about oil consumption but than I realized that most of the added oil was accumulated on the plug pots and dripping from the heads to the exhaust manifold.

3

Omega General Help / Re: Spark Plugs Diagnose / Headgasket Failure

« on: 10 September 2021, 11:03:11 »

This is for sure a gasket failure right?
What we can infer from the plugs carbon build around the metal case and the burning core state?

The only thing I would infer from those plugs is that they were new when fitted recently.

This isn't a cast iron OHV 4 cylinder engine where the gasket set costs £15 and changing it is 60 minutes work running to running.

Slow down, and work your way through all of the diagnostic procedures and think about the documented results rather than just guessing.

Right, the only thing I know is that the water pressure goes up the roof leading to leak at the back of the engine. I guess that could be due to oil temperature since the oil coller is broken but not necessarly.

So I'm goign with a leak test and lets see the results.

4

Omega General Help / Re: Spark Plugs Diagnose / Headgasket Failure

« on: 10 September 2021, 10:37:33 »

This is for sure a gasket failure right?
What we can infer from the plugs carbon build around the metal case and the burning core state?

5

Omega General Help / Re: Spark Plugs Diagnose / Headgasket Failure

« on: 10 September 2021, 08:31:05 »

The 2.5/3.0 head gaskets tend to leak externally. Usually at the rear of the 246 head.

Sounds like you do have:

1. Failed oil cooler. Later ones are stainless and last better, although regular coolant changes are essential preventative maintenance.

2. Failed head gasket. Replace both.

3. You are either doing a lot of short journeys and/or using crap oil. Both will guarantee mayo on the oil cap/filler neck. Castrol is particularly bad for this, GM genuine rarely produces any.

Either way, you've a couple of days work ahead of you. 

I do have a failed oil cooler, no doubts! Removed it, rusted all over completely ruined.
The new one is not stainless steel, unfortunatly I was unable to find one.
I'm doing a lot of short runs and not that good oil... I could agree with that yes.

I could spot a coolant leak at the back of the engine near the rubber hose perhaps due to abnormal pressure?!?

A new link to plugs:



 

6

Omega General Help / Spark Plugs Diagnose / Headgasket Failure

« on: 09 September 2021, 23:31:46 »

So, today I was able to remove all the pulleys, timing belt cover, head cover and plugs! Based on what I have seen I wouldn't say that head gasket has failed me but I'm in doubt and before I go ahead I need opinions. It took me a paper roll to clean the oily soaked plugs pots. Plugs have 15K Km no more...
Also not detected cloged intake plenum... tomorrow I will remove the ventilation crankcase.

Click on image for better quality please.



FALSE - Mayo like substance on the dip stick
TRUE  - Mayo on oil filler cap
TRUE  - Oily deposits in the expansion tank
FALSE - Water signs on spark plugs
FALSE - Vapour coming from the exhaust
TRUE  - Water hose builds pressure
FALSE - Sign of water in the oil
TRUE  - Spark plugs pot were dripping with oil
TRUE  - Water missing
TRUE  - Bad Oil cooler
TRUE  - Leak at the back of the heads
TRUE  - Engine started to misfire for about +/- 2 seconds
FALSE - Temp gauge shot into red
FALSE - Emissions warning light

7

Omega General Help / Re: OEM Gasket Set

« on: 08 September 2021, 12:25:29 »

The thermostat is new I had it replaced a couple thousand km same with water pump bronze impeller and the timing belt kit as well.
It kills me to replace everything...
Will I need a straight edge of 400cm and a feeler gauge to check the heads for flatness expensive tools...

A good quality 300mm steel rule is more than good enough to check the heads. That's a £10 tool that you probably already have. Use it with a small torch. Any head that fails that test is then checked with the feeler gauge to determine whether you get your machine shop to check it with dedicated and precise tools/procedures.

Thank you so much for the tip that was smart.

8

Omega General Help / Re: OEM Gasket Set

« on: 08 September 2021, 12:05:55 »

The thermostat is new I had it replaced a couple thousand km same with water pump bronze impeller and the timming belt kit as well.
It kills me to replace everything...
Will I need a straight edge of 400cm and a feeler gauge to check the heads for flatness expenssive tools...

9

Omega General Help / Re: OEM Gasket Set

« on: 08 September 2021, 11:32:39 »

Unfortunately none fit my engine but the price tag is very decent

10

General Car Chat / Re: X30XE 54º even firing interval? Whats the timing procedure?

« on: 07 September 2021, 15:27:23 »

I've notice that the camshaft dowel is aligning with pulley numbers 1,2 for the left head and 3,4 for the right head (standing in front of the car).
Concluding that I need 720 degree rotation for crankshaft and 360 degree rotation for camshaft.
I've also found the marks in pulleys are quite different in both heads this is a bit tricky but marks are related with inlet and outlet guessing.
 





 

11

General Car Chat / Re: X30XE 54º even firing interval? Whats the timing procedure?

« on: 07 September 2021, 14:08:11 »

I've that tool kit bought that a couple months ago...
I've taken the admission and head valve covers, work in progress!

Just a stupid question, how do I ensure that the cams are at the right stroke phase?
Whats the ratio between crankshaft / camshaft rotations?

12

Omega General Help / Re: OEM Gasket Set

« on: 07 September 2021, 13:48:43 »

I need original Head Gasket Kit GM/OPEL/VAUXHALL part numbers.
Decided I only go with GM/OEM parts.
If need engine details take a look at the first post please.

GM gaskets?


Have you won the lottery?


Even if you pay the full retail price for a Reinz or Elring set, the saving will be impressive. And I bet GM only list them separately, so you'll save time and grief ordering them too

Nope 

How about these ones https://racingcustomparts.com/produkt/compression-rate-plate-opel-v6-series-x25xex30xez32se/

13

General Car Chat / X30XE 54º even firing interval? Whats the timing procedure?

« on: 07 September 2021, 13:39:49 »

The GM 54º X30XE seems an even firing interval engine since its fire order is 1,2,3,4,5,6. I think it must have a 60 degree firing interval if so it must have an unshared crankshaft with the correct offset of 6 degrees missing from the 54 degree bank angle.

I need to know how to time the engine after remove the heads. I suppose I need to place piston 1 at TDC and look for crankshaft mark of TDC right?

About the heads what’s the procedure?

14

Omega General Help / Re: OEM Gasket Set

« on: 31 August 2021, 14:54:49 »

I need original Head Gasket Kit GM/OPEL/VAUXHALL part numbers.
Decided I only go with GM/OEM parts.
If need engine details take a look at the first post please.

15

Omega General Help / Re: OEM Gasket Set

« on: 31 August 2021, 13:21:22 »

Which amount? 2.5-3 litres between changes is alot, but not necessarily excessive... 5-6 litres every 1,000 kilometres is indicative of a much bigger problem

Most cars require some sort of ongoing preventative maintenance. Otherwise you end up where you are now. Most dead Omegas end up dead because successive owners keep ignoring the various issues.

Well, I've spent a lot of money on this car since I own it.
The problem are the mechanics that nowdays barely can change parts, it's a feeling of defeat... the last maintence costed me around 3000€!