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[Mike Bowden]

Hi,

My wife's Omega (2.0 16V, CD, 1995, 105000 miles) was asking for oil (oil lack on display), so, with engine running, I removed the dipstick to check the oil level (it was just below the minimum). However, I was then greeted with a lot of smoke coming from the dipstick, which was the same when I opened the oil filler cap! Any ideas? Is it bad?

Mike

[TheBoy]

a) Yes, the oil will be rather hot, plus there will be some condensation in there

b) You are supposed to check oil level with engine not running, and left long enough for oil to drain to sump (10 mins or so)

[shyboy]

As TB says, oil should be checked on a level surface with engine stopped and left for a while to let oil drain back into sump to give an accurate reading. Also if you filled it immediately you may now have too much oil in the engine. I've been told that can cause problems with oil 'foaming' through being 'whisked' up by the crankshaft, but i don't think it is too much to worry about if the engine isn't being ragged all the time.
What bothers me more is the likelihood that if you're not in the habit of checking oil very regularly, you may also change it too infrequently, the results of which will have much more serious long term consequences for the engine. Frequent oil changing is the single most beneficial, (and probably cheapest and easiest), preventative maintenance job for any engine. Neglect it at your peril.  

[TheBoy]

Filling oil with engine running will result in overfilling which as best may damage seals, worse do serious engine damage.

Ignore the stated oil change inteval - like all manufacturers its rubbish for marketing (esp to fleet mgrs).  I'd say max 5k on petrols, 3k on diesels.

[Marks DTM Calib]

On any engine, when running there are some blow by gases....these will normaly pass through the engine breather system.....remove the dipstick or filler and they come out of there as well.

Often the engine wont like it either because your effectively creating an air leak.......

If you think yours are bad....go and find a Ford KA and repeat the exercise.....

[Mike Bowden]

UPDATE -

The car seems to have got worse. We were out in it today, and it was repeatedly stalling, and it also seems to have lost a fair bit of power.

A few people have said it could be worn piston rings - does this seem feasible? The engine has done 107,000 and been serviced regularly by a Vauxhall garage.

I've noticed the exhaust is blowing quite badly too, put my hand over the end, engine kept on going! Looking underneath, the rear silencer is badly leaking - could this affect engine performance?

Help!!

Cheers,

Mike

[Mike Bowden]

No ideas? I have disconnected the breather pipes to check they weren't blocked, and what looks like exhaust smoke comes out of both, like little exhaust pipes lol!

Please help!

Mike

[Grumpy]

Hi Mike.
All we know from your posts so far is:
1)You've checked the engine oil level with the engine running which tells
us exactly nothing about your engine oil level.
Did you top the oil up?
If so, when did you last check it (mileage), and how much has it used
since (in mileage terms).
What is the level when the the engine is not running. Preferably at least
10mins after it's stopped. Why not park it up on level ground, go and
have a cup of coffee, and then check it.

2)You have a blowing back box.
 Replace it.

3)You are frequently stalling.
 Read the following link.

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1189022687

Check your EML light is working. If not, replace the bulb.
Action the 'Paperclip' test iaw the above link.
Do your test with ignition on but engine not running.
Post up your codes.

Do a breather check iaw the following link.

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1194007453

Clean the breathers and the Idle Air Control Valve iaw that link.
Post up your results from that check.

Give us some hard facts to work with, and there is plenty of experience
on here to sort you out.  

[Mike Bowden]

Hi Mike.
All we know from your posts so far is:
1)You've checked the engine oil level with the engine running which tells
us exactly nothing about your engine oil level.
Did you top the oil up?
If so, when did you last check it (mileage), and how much has it used
since (in mileage terms).
What is the level when the the engine is not running. Preferably at least
10mins after it's stopped. Why not park it up on level ground, go and
have a cup of coffee, and then check it.

2)You have a blowing back box.
 Replace it.

3)You are frequently stalling.
 Read the following link.

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1189022687

Check your EML light is working. If not, replace the bulb.
Action the 'Paperclip' test iaw the above link.
Do your test with ignition on but engine not running.
Post up your codes.

Do a breather check iaw the following link.

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1194007453

Clean the breathers and the Idle Air Control Valve iaw that link.
Post up your results from that check.

Give us some hard facts to work with, and there is plenty of experience
on here to sort you out.  

Grumpy,

Thanks for replying. I'll try to answer:

1. Yes, I have topped the oil up several times. Its taken about 2 litres in around 4 months, at a few hundred miles a month.

I've checked the level now, its ok, but not changed how the car is running.

2. I don't want to replace the back box yet - I'd rather find out (if possible!) if there is something seriously wrong before I spend money.

3. Engine management light has come on a few times, but gone out again. I will read the codes tomorrow, see if there is any stored. I've had an Omega before, know how to do this.

I'll also check the breathers etc tomorrow.

Thanks for your help!

Mike

[Grumpy]

No probs, Mike, we're here to help each other.  

If your EML light has been on, you'll have some codes stored.
Post them up and you'll get loads of opinions. The Tech 2 experts
on here will also be able to give you a better interpretation of your
results then the main stealers.

If you haven't cleaned your breathers for a while, I'd be surprised
if they are clear on a 2.0L. So do it all properly and don't forget to
get a new Idle Air Control Valve gasket before you start. They're
only peanuts to buy and will give you no end of problems if not
perfect. Don't forget to fit it the right way round, the mating faces
are not symmetric.

Best of luck!

[Mike Bowden]

Ok,

I've cleaned the breather pipes, the Idle control vavle, and read the codes. The only code stored was 92 (camshaft sensor).

I think next step is probably change the exhaust- the back box is leaking badly and can't be helping things! I took it out for a run today, it did seem a little better.

[Marks DTM Calib]

What state were the breathers in?

Can you get a compression test done?

[Mike Bowden]

The breathers seemed ok - any suggestions where to go for a compression test? Can I do it myself?

[TheBoy]

92 - camshaft sensor, fairly common fault on 4 pots.  may (when the fault is actually present) limit to 4k revs, and put it in a 'limp home' program

[Mike Bowden]

I had the camshaft go on my last Omega - pretty easy to replace. The EML isn't on though, just come on a couple of times.