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[omega squared]

Just found out my new Omega V6 needs a head gasket and is boiling its water. Not a nice surprise, only my second journey in the car since buying it.

Anyone done one recenty how much are the parts?

Might get someone else to do this for me anyone recommended, located SE (surrey/middlesex)

[Webby the Bear]

Needs diagnosing for definite first. What symptoms are you getting?

[martin42]

2.5 2.6 3.0 or 3.2 ??

[05omegav6]

Unusual for heads to go except for some 2.5 and 3.0s built in '98...

Yours is a 2.6 iirc as Webby has said, the two things might not be related...

[martin42]

Blocked rad,or faulty water pump...

[omega squared]

Dont worry I know when a headgasket is gone, and this one is well and truly gone pressuring and boiling up its water even in a short trip, it was probably on its last legs when traded to me (shame they forgot to mention it).

[omega squared]

Unusual for heads to go except for some 2.5 and 3.0s built in '98...

Yours is a 2.6 iirc as Webby has said, the two things might not be related...

Hi Al yes this is the 2.6, a 2003 model. Shame to have a big problem like this when I just got it, still got the 3.0 so not the end of the world just more expense not good in January.

[05omegav6]

Price of parts depends on which engine... also has a bearing on labour times as the later engines have less to undo

Many an Omega has had coolant issues misdiagnosed as head gasket failure, hence the question about symptoms

Some light reading here...

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=118533.0;all

 

You're pretty unlucky if it is the HG tbh

[Webby the Bear]

Dont worry I know when a headgasket is gone, and this one is well and truly gone pressuring and boiling up its water even in a short trip, it was probably on its last legs when traded to me (shame they forgot to mention it).

Fair enough mate. 

Out of interest (as I'm still in College learning) are you seeing the water boil in the expansion tank? Or boil out somewhere else?

[Nick W]

I did my 3.0l at the start of the month. You're looking at about £70 for a head gasket set, and £25 for the bolts. Unless you get lucky, my headset was £12.80 off ebay. New manifold studs and nuts are a good idea - mine were a fiver from a local supplier. Add another tenner for various odds&sods and consumables. You'll need some suitable sealant for the cam caps and covers; a new thermostat is probably a good idea as it's easy whilst it's apart, and a cambelt is  sensible unless it has only recently done. I didn't bother, as mine is  18months or 15,000miles(2 years use for me), and I totally forgot to order one.

The real issue is just the sheer amount of time the job takes, although I was suffering from bronchitis and working outside which slowed me down somewhat!

And don't forget, you'll need the cam locking kit.

[Gaffers]

I would seriously rule out the oil cooler, as alluded to by Al, before pressing on with a HG change.  It is a common mistake which fools most mechanics, including the more reputable ones.  Look for brown discolouring in the coolant or a sludge.  Mayo in the oil is a sign of short trips and non-GM oil and not HG failure on these engines.

HG failure causing water to spew out is very improbable on the V6.  The fire rings are pretty bullet proof next to the rest of the gasket.  I personally changed my HGs after a long-running saga with cooling issues.  Turns out the gasket had rusted away yet the fire rings were all intact.

[Webby the Bear]

The only way to confirm a HG is doing a leak down test. I'd want concrete proof prior to condemning it... even if it wasnt the V6.

[Marks DTM Calib]

Unusual for heads to go except for some 2.5 and 3.0s built in '98...

Yours is a 2.6 iirc as Webby has said, the two things might not be related...

Hi Al yes this is the 2.6, a 2003 model. Shame to have a big problem like this when I just got it, still got the 3.0 so not the end of the world just more expense not good in January.

Ok well we need to consider some key things to udnerstand the job/cost impact.

The 2.6 and 3.2 utilise metal multilayer gaskets which are VERY rebust, if there is an issue with the headgasket then you need to be considering why and what other items are affecetd (e.g. over heating being a cause with potentialy damaged heads).

As for the symptoms, the same can occur when the cooling system is not fully sealed for some reason.

[JamesV6CDX]

I'm happy to help with this and bet its way more simple than HG

Lots of other causes eg water pump fallen to bits!

I'm in beaconsfield

[JamesV6CDX]

Webby there are lots of other ways to diagnose HG

Eg

Compression test (looking for differences between adjacent  cylinders)
Sniffer test (exhaust fumes in coolant)
Cross contamination (coolant in oil, not usually vice versa on v6)
Visual inspection (I've seen the rear corner dripping on some 3.0 models)