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1

Omega Electrical and Audio Help / Re: Dash lamps

« on: 15 June 2010, 20:56:04 »

Thanks guys. Your help is appreciated.
Jim

2

Omega Electrical and Audio Help / Dash lamps

« on: 14 June 2010, 10:49:26 »

Hi, Guys,
I have a dash lamp bulb out, as per harpersimon's earlier post, but mines at the fuel gauge side. I notice jimbob was good enough to provide a how to guide. I wonder if I could impose and take a look at the guide please? ( NB. Picking a new Dalmatian puppy up this afternoon, so please excuse any delay in my response. Expect to be busy for quite a while) Thanks in anticipation.
Kind regards to all,
Jim

3

Omega General Help / Re: Tramline Issue

« on: 01 April 2010, 13:45:32 »

Hi, Guys,

Afraid I can’t offer any constructive help for the tramlining problem, but I have noticed it on my recently acquired 51 CDX, (which is running on standard 225/55 - 16s), for the first time in many years.

Hope I do not presume too much, but thought you may like to share this old guys experiences, re this condition which mirror some of the previous comments.

The last time I experienced this phenomenon was with a two year old 1963 Zodiac MK III, with non-standard 165 x 13 radials. (normal wear being 6.40 x 13 cross plies). All big Fords at the time were notorious for tramlining when they had a few thousand miles on the clock, which was attributed to the McPherson front suspension. Did not seem to be a problem with big Vauxhalls, which had re- circulating ball steering, but double wishbone front suspension. This seems to be a general problem associated with a combination of McPherson struts and re- circulating ball steering, radial tyres and general suspension wear and tear. This was highlighted to me when in 2004, I bought a 1965 Thunderbird, which had been fitted with 225/75 - 15 radials. The handling was very vague, especially at low speeds, (as well as the harshness generated on a car not designed for radials being very cruel.) After fitting original spec 8.15 x 15 cross plies, the difference was absolutely amazing. The handling was vastly improved, (not to mention the peace and quiet.), with no signs of any tramlining. These models did not have McPherson front suspension, only English Fords at the time, so assume it was just the oversized radial tyres causing the handling problem and tendancy to tramline. 

I agree with 2woody and cem. We just have to move with the times. Just a pity things never seem to get any better! It’s all happened before!

Kind regards to all.

4

Omega General Help / Re: ATF dipstick??

« on: 06 March 2010, 15:34:38 »

Sorry didn't get chance to finish of the last message. Hit the wrong key.
Just want to say thanks for the reply guys. The fluid will have to stay were it is until the gearbox gives trouble!!
Kind regards, Jim

5

Omega General Help / Re: ATF dipstick??

« on: 06 March 2010, 15:31:33 »

No wonder I could'nt find it!! Thought things were supposed to be getting more simple. Think it's time to give up. Suddenly feel very old.

6

Omega General Help / ATF dipstick??

« on: 06 March 2010, 15:23:56 »

Don't laugh guys, but I can't find my ATF dipstick. Where is it? Don't tell me they have another method of checking the old ATF! Can't find anything in the handbook. When I do find it, I suppose it's, "check when warm, with engine idling, after going through all gears". That won't have changed will it? I've spent the last few minutes having a good look around, even with my glasses on, but still unable to see it!
Can anyone point me in the right direction please?
Thanks in anticipation, Jim.

7

Omega General Help / Re: Start up issues

« on: 04 March 2010, 21:21:56 »

Well guys I seem to be absolutely hopeless at this pedal test, even after watching that superb video, which explains everything so well. This old brain can't quite count fast enough, but I certainly do not get 10 flashes at any one time.
Since getting the car, and due to the cold weather, I haven't used the car much until today, when I had the opportunity to give it a good run, and a chance to wind it up a bit. On start up this morning, (very cold and frosty), everthing was fine, with no occurence of said problem and during the day it performed faultlessly, whistling up to 6000 revs with consumate ease. Really very impressive.
I think I will leave well enough alone for the time being, and see how things go. Its just like me to make things worse by dabbling. Can't help feeling that I have "jumped the gun" somewhat. I also feel that the car hasn't been used to it's full potential, and that it needs driving more, which of course will be no hardship. Pure enjoyment and lots of fun. They really are a fine machine, aren't they? Hope I haven't wasted anyone's time, and when the weather gets warmer, I will have a look at the breathers. Thanks again guys, your help and comments have been really useful and very much appreciated.
Best Wishes,
Jim    

8

Omega General Help / Re: Start up issues

« on: 03 March 2010, 22:37:56 »

Thanks for your help, guys, I will dive under the bonnet and check out the throttle body and breathers at the first opportunity. The idle speed does sometimes seem a little slow, especially between the fast idle at cold and fully warmed up. Opening the throttle very slightly smooths things out just fine, so could well be the throttle body. Appreciate the help. Regards to all. Jim

9

Omega General Help / Re: Start up issues

« on: 03 March 2010, 20:44:12 »

Thanks for the reply. I've only had the car since the new year, and don't know if the breather system has ever been cleaned. It's got 67000 on the clock, and full Vauxhall service history, and in general seems to be in very good mechanical order. Excuse my ignorance, but what is an ICV? Inlet control valve? Just a guess. I've just done the pedal test, but lost count, seems to be one flash, then two, then nine. Will have to try in the daylight, and take a pencil and paper!
Thanks for your help. I will have to find my way around these modern engines. Got good basic knowledge, but 30 years out of date! Best wishes, Jim

10

Omega General Help / Re: Start up issues

« on: 03 March 2010, 19:56:54 »

Thanks, I'll the give the old pedal test a try. Didn't think it was necessary, as the car runs so well. No throttle stop screw to adjust then? Can't keep up with these modern devices. Last time I messed with cars they had points, condensers, carbs., and you could actually adjust things.
Thanks again, Jim.

11

Omega General Help / Start up issues

« on: 03 March 2010, 12:58:40 »

Hi,Guys,
My Omega starts up really well, but unless I have the throttle open slightly, much like starting with a carburettor rather than fuel injection, the engine will die immediately, and the immobilizer light will flash. If you try to restart without switching off completely, it's as dead as a door nail. Assume the immobilizer has cut in. If you do switch off completely, and try again with the throttle open, say at around 1000 revs, all is well, and you can quickly release the accelerator, and it settles down to approx., 550 revs without any trouble, and there after runs like a Swiss watch. In the really cold weather we have had, this was not an issue from cold, but as the weather has warmed up ever so slightly, the problem occurs from cold too.
I say problem, but it's no trouble really, being somewhat of a dinosaur from a bygone age, I am used to starting up cars in this manner, but just wondered if it was typical of the breed?
Any advice or comments would be welcome, and thanks in anticipation,
Jim

12

Omega General Help / Re: Steamy windows

« on: 22 January 2010, 12:08:05 »

Hi. New to Omegas. Picked up my 2001 2.6 CDX on 31/12/09 and drove back from Peterbough to Blackburn. After the first few miles, all the windows steamed up so badly I had to stop to try to sort out the climate control functions. Of course, the temperature outside was below freezing so the A/C compressor was switched out. Normally the compressor will dehumidify as well and dispence with any misting. At the time I thought the problem was because the car had been outside in all the snow and had just got damp. However this misting kept on happening during the 160 mile trip even though the heater was working fine, and I did find with the system set to demist, and the fan speed reduced a notch or two, possibly allowing the hot air to move slower over the windscreen, things improved. Moving on a week or so, and when the snow cleared, I did one of my favourite tricks to reduce misting of windows, clean the interior glass with Auto Glym window polish. Although it does not cure the problem, it does seem to reduce it. Also I had the boot mat out to clean and spruce up, so that was in the house for a week or so, and could have dryed out. Having a look around the boot for answers, I removed the first aid kit cover, and found the luggage net rolled up infront of the extractor vents, which I removed and placed were it should be. The upshot of all this, is that the misting problem seems to have disappeared, at least for the time being.  Don't know if this helps at all, but I suppose having rear fold down seats does not help, as the boot is not sealed off from the passenger compartment properly, and could easily allow dampness in. Good luck, best wishes, Jim

13

Newbie Welcome Area / Thanks for the welcome.

« on: 08 January 2010, 17:47:18 »

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the warm welcome. Look foward to many discussions, - when I get the hang of this new technology!

Take care,

Jim

14

Newbie Welcome Area / Hello from another newbie.

« on: 08 January 2010, 15:45:31 »

Hi Guys,

Quick hello from a new Omega owner, as from 15th December, just in time for this beautiful weather. Bought a 51 CDX 2.6 with 66000 on the clock. Shocked to see rust on N/S rear wheel arch, thought such things did not happen on modern cars! Was a Vauxhall fanatic during the Sixties and Seventies, so used to such things. Had all models of the Victor from F type to FD, and a couple of PC model Crestas. Progressed to my true love, American cars, and bought several new ones from 93 until 2002, when a moment of weakness resulted in a pristine 1965 Thunderbird appearing in the garage. Retirement came along in 2007, and I sold my last car, a Cadillac DeVille in July 2009, vowing never to spend money on cars again! That didn't last long, and as the Omega has all the benefits of American fittings and furniture, like all the old Vauxhalls from the past - (even has recirculationg ball steering-wonderful), it seemed the car for me. Just need the weather to shape itself and then I can try it out.
Did I say "a quick message"? Sorry to go on so. Old age seems to do that!
Kind regards to all,

Jim

15

General Car Chat / Re: 2003 Facelift tin worm shocker!

« on: 22 January 2010, 12:45:04 »

Hi, new to these forum things and hope I'm not too late, but did promise to let you know of cost of repair. After trawling around, the local Vauxhall dealer seemed to be the best bet, and also very knowledgeable about the problem. "All Omegas go there!!" Apparently the work already done on the O/S rear wheel arch on my car, would in his opinion, be due to rust at the interface between bumper and metal mudguard/wheel arch. I am now sure that the problem is caused by chafing of the plastic against the metal, and could have been avoided by fitting a rubbing strip between the two. Looks as though the bean counters at GM have been having their wicked way again. Anyway the cost, which includes cleaning up both wheel arches, as the areas around the door openings need doing as well, and a small area at the bottom R/H corner of the boot lid, comes to £250. No more ice cream, chocolate, meat, fish, or chicken, next month then.
Best wishes, Jim.