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1

Omega General Help / Re: white smoke billowing out of my exhaust.

« on: 01 January 2012, 12:45:10 »

Hi all, an update- followed Grumpy's instructions and everything is now sorted, and it runs very nicely now.
The idle jet was blocked solid and I used Gunk and Thinners
to soak and clear it out.

Thanks to all who guided me-and saved me a few bob and a car-through the problems.
Rick

2

Omega General Help / Re: Erratic idle

« on: 28 December 2011, 14:05:53 »

I had that problem- I whipped off the auxilary belt and started the engine-found I could move the water pump pulley side to side. Replaced it and all was ok.

Whilst doing it I checked the alternator pulley. That can make a horrible noise if the bearings in it are gone-mainly caused by the belt being too tight or it being renewed.

Just a tip. 

3

Omega General Help / Re: white smoke billowing out of my exhaust.

« on: 28 December 2011, 13:57:41 »

Well I've driven it reasonably hard for 250 miles and it's all behaved perfectly-no water or oil loss at all.
Still getting a stall on the first stop at the lights or whatever, and then it's fine all day.
Minor problem compared to all the other drama.

With the rocker cover completely blocked beforehand, the oil/breather pressure
may have  affected the idle control or something. I'll blow out the vacuum tubes as well.

The main lesson was that all the signs of a head gasket problem were there - and it was the breather pipes blocked. Check before you whip the head off.

Thanx all

4

Omega General Help / Re: white smoke billowing out of my exhaust.

« on: 23 December 2011, 19:51:15 »

I've had it in the sink with a tin of gunk and a stiff piece of wire-eventually I got iy unclogged but it's not perfect-I have,as you suggested,sourced a good used one.
I'll stick it back on in the morning and have a 200 mile run planned,
which should sort it one way or the other.
It's still stalling sometimes as I coast up to a stop, but I'm hoping the clean out will solve this. If not I'll check the vacuum tubes are ok and maybe fasten the tickover up a bit.
If it doesn't let me down then I'll do a proper job on the engine, as the rest of the car
is surprisingly well cared for.

5

Omega General Help / Re: white smoke billowing out of my exhaust.

« on: 23 December 2011, 13:05:44 »

Hi All,
Well I've driven it around and the water is still clear-as is the oil.
I replaced the dickey waterpump, and upon taking off the rocker cover found it to be completely clogged with old dried oil, with the 3 ports from the breather tubes absolutely blocked and hard, and the device at the back designed to calm down the breather pipe to the sump rock solid.
I cleaned it as best as possile and the engine now seems a bit better-breathing a bit.
Looks like the top end was clogged and didn't let the engine breath.
My plan is to take off the rocker box today and soak it in a solution-unknown as yet -
to get all the dried oil out. The large breather pipe at the front is still clogged within the rocker box.
I suppose, with all the pressure on the two systems, oil particularly and the water of course, that it gave the impression of a head gasket fault.
Thanks again all and I'll keep all informed.

Any suggestions for a mixture to de clog the oil gratefully received.
I'm looking at thinners or something now and a metal bendable coat hanger or welding rod to get amongst it.

6

Omega General Help / Re: white smoke billowing out of my exhaust.

« on: 16 December 2011, 16:06:10 »

I'm driving it gingerly and so far nothing is amiss. The water reservoir is very clear and there's no baby poo showing on the dipstick.
I'll keep monitoring everything and keep everyone informed

As I mentioned before it was owned by an old geezer who nipped to the shops at 30 mph max-2k per year. Might just have needed a good old fashioned blow through-hopefully.

Thanx all.

7

Omega General Help / Re: white smoke billowing out of my exhaust.

« on: 15 December 2011, 20:05:26 »

That's an excellent option-I squeezed all the breather pipes a few days ago
to see if they needed cleaning out. Maybe I dislodged a gob of it and the belt down the motorway did the rest.
I'll keep an eye on the water and oil-and out the back window. Thanks.UWTPAC

8

Omega General Help / Re: white smoke billowing out of my exhaust.

« on: 15 December 2011, 19:19:06 »

Either way it's a poser. Safe to say the head gasket needs changing whatever the steam/smoke clouds source.

It's the old game when you do the gasket and then discover it's something else.

9

Omega General Help / Re: white smoke billowing out of my exhaust.

« on: 15 December 2011, 19:07:12 »

I'll check in the morning-I've done quite a few head gasket changes before on the Ecotecs. Just never seen it manifest itself this way before-buckets of smoke and then
it seems fine.

I'd just done 20 or so miles at about 80ish, turned off the sliproad and pop-1 mile later it's ok. Just thought it may be something electrcal, but it seems it cant be anything but a blown gasket.

Thanks all

10

Omega General Help / Re: white smoke billowing out of my exhaust.

« on: 15 December 2011, 17:35:06 »

Hi there, I've turned the cap lock off-you're right it is a bit loud.

The car is an Omega 2 litre of 1998 and the mileage is 103k full history and lots of it.

I had to top up the oil and water when I got it a few weeks ago, but on checking when I got home the water reservoir was full and normal.

Do you mean check the oil and water to see if they've mixed - for a head job?

Thanks, rick

11

Omega General Help / white smoke billowing out of my exhaust.

« on: 15 December 2011, 17:08:26 »

MY OMEGA 2 LITRE ECOTEC ENGINE.

I WAS COMING OFF THE SLIP ROAD, AROUND A ROUNDABOUT, ACCELERATED AND CLOUDS OF WHITE SMOKE BILLOWED FROM THE EXHAUST-I MEAN A PROPER SMOKE SCREEN.
THE SMOKE WASN'T SO BAD AS I COASTED IT HOME AND DIDN'T REV IT TOO MUCH.
THE WATER TEMP GAUGE ROSE DURING THIS EPISODE AND THEN SETTLED BACK.

GOT IT BACK HOME AND IT'S ALL FINE. REVVED THE DAYLIGHTS OUT OF IT AND...NOTHING. NOT A PUFF. IT'S ALL PERFECT AGAIN.

THE WATER PUMP IS CLICKING AND I PLAN TO CHANGE IT NEXT WEEK, ALTHOUGH I CAN'T SEE HOW THAT'LL AFFECT ANYTHING.

I CAN'T HAVE THIS HAPPENING ON A MOTORWAY OR IT'LL CAUSE A PILE UP.

ANY INFO ON THE CAUSE AND REMEDY GRATEFULLY RECEIVED.

I'VE ONLY HAD IT A FEW WEEKS AND DON'T WANNA BE COASTING IT TO THE SCRAPPIE.