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1

Omega General Help / Re: to spend or not to spend

« on: 11 August 2009, 18:23:05 »

First of all, thanks very much for all the advice given, what a decent bunch of people you are.  I may take up your offer Pete, cheers.
Sorry for the delay in response but I only got the car back an hour ago, got to say it does seem ok so far, only drove home though.
I did go to the garage on Friday and mention the fuse, they said that they had put a direct feed to the box/pump(?) and it didn't make any difference, fair enough.
The reason it took so long, well I was due to collect it yesterday with a replacemnt steering box fitted, unfortunately the brake lights were stuck on, thats been sorted now, unsure what caused it but apparently the steering box is a bit of a pain with regard to access and something may have been disturbed, no doubt some of you will know exactly what happened due to your past experiences.
Anyway, I did speak to the owner about the fact that I felt a little uncomfortable with how things went, he couldn't have been more concerned, told me to take the car and see how it is for a few days, we didn't discuss costs, don't get me wrong I am happy to pay for the work, I just felt that it was getting a bit out of hand, considering it was all after I had shelled out for new brakes (discs & pads), TRE plus some other bits and bobs, then things went downhill as I explained in the first few posts.
Hopefully it will be ok now, fingers crossed.
I do still have an oil leak somewhere around the back of the head, it isn't leaving anything on the floor when parked, judging by the smell I think it is being burnt off on some part of the exhaust, I only notice it if I have been diving faster than normal, it would be good to get it sorted but not sure about justifying the cost. I wonder if, as it's not a heavy leak, if it's worth putting some 'stop leak' in it to see if cures, for a fiver it's worth a punt, maybe.
The most important thing for me is that I really didn't want feel like I was being ripped off, I'm happy now that this is not the case, maybe the car is a bit complex, I get that impression from reading some of the threads on here.
I wish I'd found this place sooner, anyway I'm here now.

Thank you again.....

2

Omega General Help / Re: to spend or not to spend

« on: 07 August 2009, 18:16:12 »

update, I went down to the garage, they were in the middle of replacing the steering box, I did advise them of the fuse problem but they said they had checked this b previously and it was not the cure.
I will just have to wait until I get it back, hopefully tomorrow, until deciding what to do next.Thanks again for all the advice given so far, I welcome any other guidance anyone is able to give.

3

Omega General Help / Re: to spend or not to spend

« on: 07 August 2009, 15:49:41 »

ok, I'm off down to the garage, no point in phoning them to tell them.
Just want to thank all for their help today so far, I will be back on later to see if there is anything I can learn about identifying the gravity (or not) of the oil leak, apparently it is towards the back of the engine so I may struggle to pinpoint it myself, only have on street parking and have no ramps etc. To be honest the last time I did anything with tools under a bonnet was probably 25yrs ago (small service on a Mk4 Cortina) things have moved on considerably since then and I wouldn't know where to start, no way..

Potentially you have helped to save me a good few quid today, although I hope it isn't going to turn into an argument at the garage, they will no doubt have fitted some parts already, possibly needlessly.

4

Omega General Help / Re: to spend or not to spend

« on: 07 August 2009, 15:30:33 »

Ghost driver, nice one, it's the same fuse as the lighter, thank you.
Only problem I have now is that I have to go to the garage and tell them to remove whatever parts they have fitted and sell me a fuse, smashing.
As plenty have said already these models have their particular problems and I wish I had found this place sooner

5

Omega General Help / Re: to spend or not to spend

« on: 07 August 2009, 15:27:29 »

thanks again, funny you should mention fuses, the ciggy lighters have stopped working in the last week, never got around to checking the fuse, will be doing as soon as I get it back later.
Somebody asked where in Cheshire, I'm in Northwich.

I do like this car, it's like driving an armchair when it's on song, wouldn't hesitate to have another, although it's fairly thirsty ( 350miles from a tank on average), unsure how that compares. I'm no car enthusiast by any means, had plenty of different motors over the years and never paid much for them, run them til they die and get another one. I was hoping to avoid having to replace this one for a while, had an expensive year so far with other things but if it's going to mean throwing another £500 at it I will have to consider replacing.
I am heartened by the responses on here though, maybe I will find out things aren't so bad and be able to get it sorted more reasonably,
here's hoping

6

Omega General Help / Re: to spend or not to spend

« on: 07 August 2009, 13:48:19 »

thanks very much to all who have replied, much appreciated.
I have just re-read my first post, to correct, I'm sure he said that they are having to replace the steering box because of the particles that have got into the system, I assume these particles are from the steering pump that was replaced last week.
As I said, I really did feel comfortable at this garage, got a nice feel about it, smallish, 4 or 5 mechanics, definitely not a dodgy place. I'm now left feeling disappointed in my judgement and apprehensive about where else to go, or indeed if it is not down to them and more a case of getting what I paid for 12mths ago, a cheap car.
Incidentally, the last owner had kept all the receipts, never studied them but there were plenty, point is he had obviously spent on it, it did seem like a well maintained car, now it resmbles a nail....

7

Omega General Help / Re: to spend or not to spend

« on: 07 August 2009, 12:32:52 »

Ghost, maybe it isn't 2nd hand then, to be honest I was that gutted about the news on the oil leak that I wasnt paying full attention to what he was saying on the phone, maybe it was a new one.
I really do need to satrt paying more attention with these things, I have no knowledge of mechanics and have been happy, until now, to put my trust in the 'experts', not any longer.

thanks for responding though.

8

Omega General Help / Re: to spend or not to spend

« on: 07 August 2009, 12:28:23 »

thanks for the reply, I can't argue with what you say, it's just not a nice feeling to have, I don't live in an area where I know many people, this garage came recommended and like I said, never had a problem before.
I hate the thought of having to try my luck elsewhere, I'm sure you know the score, it really is pot luck when you try a new place.

9

Omega General Help / to spend or not to spend

« on: 07 August 2009, 12:11:17 »

Hi,
I have a 97 2.5 CDX Auto, had it for 12mths, never had a murmur until about 2mths ago, first it was the smell of burning oil through the vents, was advised by local garage it was the rocker cover gaskets, had them changed, didn't cure it, next they changed the covers themselves, apparently they could have been warped.
Then the crank sensor was replaced, cured the problem of it cutting out.
Next up was MOT time, nothing too major, brakes (front relined), plastic headlight lens (t-cutted them and they were passed at retest, headlamp switch (replaced), n/s TRE ball joint (replaced).
When I got it back after the MOT the steering was heavy, took it back and was advised the steering pump needed replacing, they acquired a 2nd hand one (fitted for £80), didnt cure the heavy steering, now I'm informed that there are particles of metal within the system and I will now have another bill for £120 to replace (I think) the idler arm (again 2nd hand I think).
Also there is apparently an oil leak from the head gasket, unsure how serious but quoted £500 to cure.

Now this is a garage I have built a decent relationship with over the last 3 years, never had a problem previously.
Maybe its just time to throw the towel in and look for another car, I generally just run cars until they die, this one cost me £500 with a 12mth ticket, maybe I should have ditched it sooner.
Its been the best drive I've had for years, like I said not a murmur for 10mths.
Thing is I now have 12mth ticket, steering will be hopefully be fine when done today. Hard to justify spending another £500 though.
Haven't looked around yet but I suppose there will be another one to be had for similar money, have I just had bad luck in the last couple of months or are these things common?
Really nice car, shame it's gone bad.

Thanks in advance if anyone has any pointers.

10

Newbie Welcome Area / Re: Cheshire

« on: 07 August 2009, 14:04:51 »

done, thanks all.

What a nice crowd, I'll be sure to behave..

11

Newbie Welcome Area / Re: Cheshire

« on: 07 August 2009, 13:51:29 »

based on advice from another member I am wanting to update my location in my profile, anyone tell me how to get there please.

Newbies eh, don't you just love em.

12

Newbie Welcome Area / Cheshire

« on: 07 August 2009, 11:51:23 »

Hi, new member, just found this site, wish I'd looked a few months ago, anyway, I do have a couple of questions so I'll jog on and post them in the appropriate section.

cheers

13

Car Parts, bits For Sale & Wanted / Re: Need an ignition barrel and keys please

« on: 01 December 2010, 14:02:32 »

Just want to give a big thanks to Wellung for sorting my car on Sunday, very much appreciated mate. Really nice place this is, thanks to anyone else for the advice.

I only found the cd changer in the boot the other week, doesn't seem to work so I may be in the market for one of them soon, although it may be better to just replace the unit on the dash for one with a cd player.

14

Car Parts, bits For Sale & Wanted / Re: Need an ignition barrel and keys please

« on: 25 November 2010, 07:54:50 »

...key doesn't work in it though.

Chances are the lock is just seized through lack of use, as you say most people never use them, why would you when all you need to do is press a button?
Try some oil (dare I say 'WD-40'!?) in the lock and turn/jiggle the key until you think it's going to snap...

Well thanks for the advice but I think I'm sorted with wellung, having a ride out to the black country at the weekend.
Really appreciate the help on here, thank you.  Does the place rely on donations/contributions to keep it going? Happy to throw a bit in the pot if it helps.

15

Car Parts, bits For Sale & Wanted / Re: Need an ignition barrel and keys please

« on: 24 November 2010, 22:13:31 »

And to NW newbie, yeah, this is a great place. Just wanted to make the point that I wasnt trying to get in there ahead for you. Didnt want anyone thinking Im using my 600-odd posts to carry any weight, as it were, as if Im 'more reliable' or something because I have more posts that you, if you follow!

There's no great rush for the lock set, as soon as a set at a sillycheap price comes up, then I'll be there  8-)


And keep looking our in for salewanted, leather interiors are always coming up, varying prices, if you want black thats deeead easy to find.  [/quote]

I know what you mean, I haven't proved myself here yet, well I have but only as an unobservant character (of course there is a keyhole).
I will bow to your 600 posts and just hope to pick up the scraps from your table. Who knows if I start having plenty of problems with the car I may overhaul you.
In the meantime cheers for the warm welcome.