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[GinoGinelli]

Hi people,

Just bought a '96 2.5 CD on ebay (don't say!), sounds a genuine car but I obviously have to give the car a once over to check all is well. Are there any nasty, out of the ordinary faults I should look for?

Apparently it has a pile of history, service a few K ago and cambelt 13k ago.

Many thanks!

P.s I did try searching but I'm new to using message-boards, sorry if questions like this have got a bit boring!

[amba]

Even if the car has a receipt( ?? ) for the cam belt and tensioners being replaced would still be worth factoring that cost in aswell,your peace of mind and  own knowledge is better than a piece of paper.

[shyboy]

If you cannot get positive proof that the cambelt/tensioner work has been done it's a very wise insurance to do it anyway. But if you are sure it's OK, you'll save yourself the cost and time, (and spend your driving days wondering).   :-/  :-/ It's a much cheaper option to do it.
Also check and clean the breather system per the guides on here. This, and max. 5000 mile oil changes, are the most certain way of ensuring minimum problems in the months/years ahead. Enjoy a great motor car.
I spend time browsing the maintenance guides. In no time you'll be an Omega 'expert'.

[Kevin Wood]

Keep an eye out for oil leaks from the cam covers. May be worth checking the plug wells are free of oil before the plug leads get deep fried. Cleaning out the breathers and giving it a service is probably a good preventative step here.

Keep an eye on the coolant level as there are a couple of common problems that will cause it to leak. If it doesn't appear to have been changed recently, is blue/green colour or the mixture looks weak flush it through and replace with GM long life (Red) coolant.

Front suspension can be prone to play and mis-alignment so it's worth giving this a once-over and also checking that the tyres are wearing evenly (be particularly careful of excessive shoulder wear on the front tyres).

Check the drains in the scuttle panel either side are clear so nothing gets drenched by collected rainwater.

That's about all I can think of at the moment. No doubt others will have more advice.

Kevin

[albitz]

check cam covers for oil leaks,if the breather are or have been blocked the cam cover gaskets act as the pressure relief valve .

[HolyCount]

........ and ...... welcome to the fold   Post some pics in the gallery and generally browse around

[GinoGinelli]

Wow, loads of info. Cheers!

The bills (£0000's worth apparently- a good or bad sign I don't know!?   ) and SH are all main dealer from what he said- inc. the cambelt if I remember right. Its a £500 car at the end of the day so I won't be too fussy though!

I'll go over the car & change all the all the oils/filters etc when its back

Cheers again!




 

[GinoGinelli]

Got the Omega!

Drove 100+ miles back without missing a beat... love the car! Its like one of those american state cruiser-mobiles, almost felt like we were off to the nick! The interior is a bit old skool, especially after the '05 plate Mondeo we went up in, but I like that. Soo comfy.

Just a bit of rust on the drivers side door bottoms and the digital screen thingy to sort but for 500 quid I can't complain. Oh, and it had a full tank of petrol and new tyres as well!

Touch wood, well happy!

[HolyCount]

Got the Omega!

Drove 100+ miles back without missing a beat... love the car! Its like one of those american state cruiser-mobiles, almost felt like we were off to the nick! The interior is a bit old skool, especially after the '05 plate Mondeo we went up in, but I like that. Soo comfy.

Just a bit of rust on the drivers side door bottoms and the digital screen thingy to sort but for 500 quid I can't complain. Oh, and it had a full tank of petrol and new tyres as well!

Touch wood, well happy!

practically covers the cost then, with the price of petrol !!!!  

[GinoGinelli]

Hi, the cambelt was changed at a main dealer in April 2004 @ 80,000 miles (93k now)... would changing it now be OTT?

Never seen a car with this much history, absolutely reams of the stuff and all at the same dealer. Had the rocker cover gaskets, wishbones etc done last year as well. Still can't believe I got this car for 500 quid!

[albitz]

cambelt is due to be changed.every 40,000 or 4 years,whichever comes first.

[amba]

As I said earlier,at 4 years old that cambelt and tensioner set really should be top of your list to do...whilst sounds like a very good buy would be tragic if a tensioner failed and caused extensive damage.Also well worth a oil/filter cahnge as the car only seems to have covered 13k in 4 years and things do need to move regularly to work properly.Not being a scaremonger..just words of advise...enjoy your new car

[tunnie]

Hi, the cambelt was changed at a main dealer in April 2004 @ 80,000 miles (93k now)... would changing it now be OTT?

Never seen a car with this much history, absolutely reams of the stuff and all at the same dealer. Had the rocker cover gaskets, wishbones etc done last year as well. Still can't believe I got this car for 500 quid!

NO!

Cambelt and tensioners must be changed every 40k or 4 years.

Change it now.

[GinoGinelli]

Well, I had a close look at the belt and there are tiny cracks all over it! Took her for a long drive yesterday as well.

Not going to drive it until its done now. Will give it a full service as well. I'm guessing it would be wise to get the gearbox oil changed as well as its an auto?

Seriously- thanks for taking the time to advise me, much appreciated!

[Andy B]

Well, I had a close look at the belt and there are tiny cracks all over it!  ....

Which belt have you had a look at? Cam belt or 'fan' belt?