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1

Omega General Help / Re: Urgent advise re cylinder head gasket required.

« on: 30 September 2008, 17:43:25 »

(Sorrry, not sure what happened there, but posted before I had finished, lol) CHG that has gone. He has tried one of the 'miricle' cure additives before, not in a Vauxhall, but it worked perfectly.
Given the value of car and the cost of proper repair, which I cannot afford anyway, I have to go with the additive solution, I feel I have nothing to lose. Mechanics advice was to have full repair done, but appreciated my circumstances.
I will let you all know the outcome, good or bad.
Kenny

2

Omega General Help / Re: Urgent advise re cylinder head gasket required.

« on: 30 September 2008, 17:38:04 »

Hi Alex and thanks for reply, appreciated! Yes, have found out what the stretchers are and that is just as you say. Not lost any coolant as far as I know. I do not put the air conditioning on at all.....I believe it affects fuel costs and trying to cut down, lol. Equally ECO mode not on. Yes, temp eventually drops down when fans kick in, just that it goes all the way to top so soon, never seen that in previous cars.
Have spoken to mechanic this afternoon...he is a great guy and has helped me a lot...adament that breather pipes fully cleaned, but agreed that it was very unusual for CHG to go..he had only experienced it once and he is an ex- Vauxhall mechanic....but, he is equally adament that it is the  

3

Omega General Help / Re: Urgent advise re cylinder head gasket required.

« on: 30 September 2008, 11:57:47 »

Hi again. Profile updated now.
To my knowledge, the cam cover gaskets were genuine Vauxhall ones. The problem first originated early this year when I had a complete cam cover gasket failure and engine, plugs etc filled with oil.
This seal was replaced.  The problem returned ande the other camcover gasket had started to go. This was replaced, but an oil leak was still present. A breather tube, not sure which one, was then found to be leaking, which was fixed. Now I am back, still an oil leak, external and to me, appears to be around the same area...but I am going by where the oil lands on the ground...not very scientific, lol!
I have felt that the temperature appears to rise to max very quickly, before fans bring this under control. I know the coolant needs replaced, which may not help the problem.

4

Omega General Help / Re: Urgent advise re cylinder head gasket required.

« on: 30 September 2008, 11:38:53 »

Many thanks for prompt reply. The mechanic who has done all the work, much of it free and in own time, has apparently checked the cam covers again and said they are ok, but that there is a small leak from the cylinder head..oil. This is the bit that puzzles me, perhaps stupidly, but I thought it would have been coolant. I am still puzzled as to what the stretchers are...was given full name, but cannot remember, but was advised that it is dodgy to re-use the ones on the car?
The only reason taht I have considered the Steal Seal etc, is because the car will be scrapped if it is going to cost £600 to repair, which is what I have been quoted (10.5 hrs labour, then parts and VAT). So spending £10 - £50 depending on the additive...if it worked, fine, if not, then all I have lost is a relative small amount. But I do take on board what you have said bout them.

5

Omega General Help / Urgent advise re cylinder head gasket required.

« on: 30 September 2008, 11:18:34 »

Hi folks...my first ever query and it is urgent, lol.
Firstly, I know very little about cae engines, so please excuse any stupid questions!
I have had an oil leak for a considerable time. This was traced, by garage, to the cam covers, both of which have been replaced. I still have a leak and have now been told the cylinder head gasket has gone and needs replacing....very expensive and I cannot afford it, nor do I think the car is worth that sort of money being spent. I have been told I need 2 cylinder head gaskets, one for each side and that part I understand. I was also told that I need 2 other parts...stretchers I think he called them and I have no idea what they are, but they are very dear, £76 each. Can anyone advise me what they are for and is this normal?
I am also puzzled and this is possibly the stupid question, as to why I am losing oil and not coolant when it is the head gasket?
Finally, a cheaper solution may be to use STEAL SEAL or K SEAL as a solution, given value of car, lack of funds etc. Has anyone tried either of these methods?
My car is an OMEGA 2.5 V6 CD automatic.
Thanks