Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[symes]

Oil cooler has gone.  The heater matrix has probably been gunked up by it.

The oil sits at a higher pressure than the coolant so you get hot sludge in the coolant which boils it and it finds the easiest way out of the coolant system which could be the filler cap (it is made to open a bit once it over pressures) or it could find a weakness in the coolant system (such as the hbv or a pipe)

You need to change the oil cooler and flush the system like a man possessed.  Or find someone else to do it for you.

still bet its head gaskets IMHO

[Gaffers]

Why?

[kevinp58]

Hello and welcome as others here have said not likely to be HG more like oil cooler if you have oil in water, and seeing as you just got it I would say it needs a good service as you don't rweally know how it has been serviced so it could just have been neglected, 

[dbug]

Nackered oil cooler mate - all the symptoms match

[symes]

fitted new oil cooler to mine-problem still there-as said h/g  can go  BUT engine runs because of fire ring-however oil can mix with coolant-check my thread-good friday if you dont beleive h/g can go

[kevinp58]

Ok, check the dip stick. No mayo-creamy sludge there.

The coolant level was low again and brown instead of clear pink.

Does this change anything?

 classic signs of neglect so I expect cooler is likely cause  mine was that colour when I got it and it was the cooler, it isn't an expensive item and can be done by somebody that knows their way around a car there are posts here in the guides that are very helpfull 
Just make sure you get a genuine one though around £170 with all the bits needed. 

[Gaffers]

fitted new oil cooler to mine-problem still there-as said h/g  can go  BUT engine runs because of fire ring-however oil can mix with coolant-check my thread-good friday if you dont beleive h/g can go

HGs do go but usually when the coolant mixture has been neglected for a long period, such as when there is a coolant leak.  Oil cooler problems if left unchecked can do this... In my case this is what happened.  The previous owner ran the car wih a blown oil cooler and just topped it up.  It not only diluted the coolant causing corrosion of the HGs but also clogged up the coolant passages in the heads causing eventual constant overheating.

http://oldsite.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1310221033/0

[tidla]

Why keep guessing?

Coolant pressure test followed by a cylinder pressure test.

If the oil cooler is suspected, it can be simply tested once removed.

[kevinp58]

here's the link to how to do oil cooler.  http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90596.msg1155493#msg1155493
and plenum removal http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90657.msg1155620#msg1155620

[Ruben CR]

You guys rock.

Now all I need to do is break it gently to the mrs.
This might take a bit of time. Problem is no garage so I'm out in the driveway.

As soon as I have any news I'll post them.

Thanks

[Gaffers]

Most of us do all this kind of stuff on our driveways, wrap up warm and drink loads of tea.

Dont forget the crows foot socket, all the gasket compounds (make sure it's Vauxhall) and you MUST wait 24 hours for the compounds to set before refilling it with coolant

Andyc is a great source of Vx parts at trade price which will make a difference with this part.

[Darth Loo-knee]

I have done alot of head gaskets...like already said a water pressure test may help to find your water loss without guessing
The amount of garages Vauxhall included diagnose head gasket problems for the most ridiculous problem's. ..believe me and others on here when we say this. .. se have seen and heard every problem there is don't forget..

[dbug]

Ok, check the dip stick. No mayo-creamy sludge there.

The coolant level was low again and brown instead of clear pink.

Does this change anything?

 classic signs of neglect so I expect cooler is likely cause  mine was that colour when I got it and it was the cooler, it isn't an expensive item and can be done by somebody that knows their way around a car there are posts here in the guides that are very helpfull 
Just make sure you get a genuine one though around £170 with all the bits needed. 

Around £100 for the kit on TC

[Ruben CR]

Thanks guys.

Being Easter I haven't done anything to it yet apart keeping an eye out to what you good ppl tell me.

What/Where is this TC?

[Paddy Flannery]

TC is Vauxhall Trade Club. For the bits you may be after, see the Recommended suppliers thread towards the bottom of the home page. Andyc will see you right.