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1

Omega General Help / Losing coolant, at a loss ... 3.0 Facelift

« on: 02 February 2009, 14:58:06 »

How are you supposed to positively identify oil cooler leakage?

Not sure I follow the logic of the HG/oil cooler flowchart (years in IT would possibly explain that)  

Anyway I don't much want to buy any parts that aren't definitely needed as the company I worked for folded just before Xmas.

Symptoms (including incidental)

Losing coolant ... about a pint every 100 miles.
Can't identify anywhere it may be going to.
Mayo in filler cap - quite a bit, but
Dipstick is normal dark oil
Cant smell exhaust fumes in the header tank
No evidence of leakage around HBV (that I can tell anyway - can only go on touch)
Cabin heater is extremely feeble - it gets there, but very slowly.  Can't find any evidence of internal water loss
Rocker cover gaskets and breathers definitely need doing.

Err, so what next?  Anything else to check?

2

Omega General Help / Re: Heater / Cooling nightmares...

« on: 15 September 2007, 18:30:46 »

All done!

Oddly after not fighting against a back to front HBV the temp came down about 5 degrees.  

Change fuse for radiator fan and surprise that's working again too.

Temps now resolutely at normal  

3

Omega General Help / Re: Heater / Cooling nightmares...

« on: 14 September 2007, 15:33:53 »

Excellent, thanks for the quick response!

4

Omega General Help / Heater / Cooling nightmares...

« on: 14 September 2007, 11:04:47 »

If I look at the picture here:

http://images.omegaowners.com/images/guides/v6_engine_pics/IMG_0017-1.jpg

Is that shown plumbed in correctly?

On my car the HBV is turned around so the hose on the left is actually connected to the outlet on the picture with no hose at top right.  The top hose from the cabin is connected to the HBV on the connector in the left in that pic.  The bottom right inlet inlet from the hose with the T piece goes to the right place (though the hose is kinked over enough to restrict or stop flow), and the other end to the bottom inlet to the cabin.

ie My HBV is turned around compared to that pic.

The engine seems to run awfully hot:
  Typical running is 95-97
  Tocking over or after stop is 100

The pressure in the system seems remarkably high, compared to other cars i have had.  run for two or three miles and it will half empty the system if you slack off the header tank cap.

The big fan on the back of the rad doesn't seem to come on at all.

I've a heater matrix to replace over the weekend.
and presumably a HBV to turn around?

Should I ignore the hot running til these have been done, or is there some other likely culprit while I have it in pieces.

5

Omega General Help / Removing Dash... to change heater matrix

« on: 10 September 2007, 16:28:55 »

Alrighty... those who saw my thread on my new omega leaking coolant - well that's bodged enough for me to live with it a week or two.

Is there a step by step guide to dash removal anywhere?

I've seen the centre console and clocks removal...  Is that enough to get at the matrix, or more strip down required?

Garage would do it, but recommended it as a weekend project given the cost - he's always way too busy so don't think he fancied it!  

Aside from the obvious change all bulbs whilst it's out is there anything else I should clean/change/fettle whilst it's off?

Sorry for all the questions - hopefully I'll be able to respond to some soonish.  

6

Omega General Help / Re: Loss of coolant... how to bypass?

« on: 09 September 2007, 16:25:00 »

Thanks for the hints...  I am becoming baffled with this ...

The scuttle drain was blocked - now dripping happily on nearside wheel    Bonnet now opens and is adjusted.  Haven't solved original problem.

There's now a slow but steady drip drip of coolant from approx front of gearbox, driver side  (near the downpipe on the drivers side)

everything in the engine bay appears fine - and very *DRY*... except:

The bottom hose from the bulkhead runs to a T piece - the top of the T is kinked over and then runs to the bottom of two connections on the right side of the HBV.  It's certainly enough to restrict flow heavily - maybe enough to nearly stop it.  Dunno if that's the cause, or caused a pipe to pop off inside cabin due to pressure.

All of this & HBV are bone dry.  This is 80% by touch - access is not the best.  

The two connectors that run forward from the HBV are the two I need to link, yes?

Think it's put off til morning anyway as I have no torx sockets to take plenum off - didn't bother to look before going to halfords for hose and torx bits (separate trips of course!!!)  

Oh well I learnt plenty.  Hols postponed til tomorrow

7

Omega General Help / Re: Loss of coolant... how to bypass?

« on: 08 September 2007, 11:55:36 »

OK, before I start buying some 19mm hose and jubilee clips, I found this:

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1185891036
They're not jubilee clips  

So I take it length of 19mm flexible hose & two jubilee clips isn't going to cut it...  Am I gonna need to slice the OE hoses and cobble some sort of join??

8

Omega General Help / Re: Loss of coolant... stupid questions time...

« on: 07 September 2007, 23:57:04 »

OK, thanks for the clues guys...

To *check* if it is the heater matrix - what's easiest method (i.e. can I check easily without pulling the dash?)

How feasible is it to bypass the inside from the engine side of the bulkhead?  I am assuming this will be easier (like couple of right angles from wherever they come out the block and some jubilee clips), than a dash out, change, dash back in.

I'd rather have a week with no heat than start completely messing up plans by trying to do a rushed matrix swap.

And cars/bikes were much simpler with more last time I did much DIY mechanicing.

9

Omega General Help / Re: Loss of coolant... onto feet.  HBV?

« on: 07 September 2007, 17:03:22 »

Appreciate the speed of replies - thanks!!!

car isnt far away, so I'll go get it in an hour or two...   heating to cold.

Only mention HBV as previous owner mentioned he'd changed it.

All coolant seems to be inside.

So I presume its dash out.  and dig out the haynes manual.

(oh and yes I was sitting!!!   )

10

Omega General Help / Loss of coolant... how to bypass?

« on: 07 September 2007, 16:30:27 »

smell of coolant closely followed by half pint of hot water on left foot.  I was only pootling round town.

Only had the damn thing a day...  I know previous owner has changed header tank and HBV - dunno how recently.  Local garage I trust can't do anything til Tues  

Anyone know a good mechanic near blackpool?

1. can i safely limp it a mile back to home when it cooled?
2. what are the likely causes / complexity of fix.

Supposed to be going on hols tomorrow eve.    

11

Omega General Help / Re: Marvelous... bonnet release catch?

« on: 08 September 2007, 19:56:51 »

Ok, that's figured out then.  

Never occurred that it would just be a push fit, presuming I'd sheared something.

As you say, not exactly over-engineered.  

ta!

12

Omega General Help / Marvelous... bonnet release catch?

« on: 08 September 2007, 15:49:32 »

Anyone changed one of these?

Mine appears to have broken/disconnected at the pivot - still attached to the release.

I pulled a bit harder as the bonnet wasn't opening, and hey, no hinging, just dangling.   Visibility is lousy, so am not sure whats going on under the coin drawer.

meanwhile have to get bonnet open.

My new car is rapidly heading into lemon territory.   "£$%^&  

13

Omega General Help / Re: Thinking of buying an Ex Police 3.2 MV6 - Gotc

« on: 07 September 2007, 16:00:40 »

Well that lasted a long time.  Pop to shop.  coolant all over feet, steam from dash.  

Aaargh!

14

Omega General Help / Re: Thinking of buying an Ex Police 3.2 MV6 - Gotc

« on: 07 September 2007, 14:36:37 »

^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Nice one!   Bit of luxury  

When you say, needed the tailgate and roof doing? as in what?

Hopefully the one you've bought hasn't been crashed as many times as the ex-plod  

Roof had holes and need of respray, tailgate similar need of respray - not a big deal, just like the lots of tattiness inside - was rather more than just put radio, fascia and cover a few screw holes.  In short it looked tired - enough to turn into more of a project than I want.

OTOH the 97 one I got, err here:  http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1188311238  

No smoke, even from cold, lots of recipts, excellent bodywork.  A lot sharper and tighter than my tired 2.0 CDX, which is now donor vehicle.  

Just need to sort aircon/climate...  I have working aircon on my old 2.0 CDX, so long as the bits are compatible...

It has a very slight whine... doesnt' sound far back enough for the diff, and does it in neutral too, so don't think auto box.  road speed related though.

15

Omega General Help / Re: Thinking of buying an Ex Police 3.2 MV6 - Gotc

« on: 07 September 2007, 14:13:49 »

Is there any reason why you want an ex-plod?

Well the logic was a lot of cheap, well maintained recent car for the same money as an old 'un.

Given the one I looked at had a lot more needing doing than I expected, like roof and tailgate, by the time I'd finished it wouldn't have been a cheap car.

I bought a 97 Elite 3.0 estate instead  :-)   Couple of niggles, but has been looked after.