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[NW42]

Hi,
I have a 97 2.5 CDX Auto, had it for 12mths, never had a murmur until about 2mths ago, first it was the smell of burning oil through the vents, was advised by local garage it was the rocker cover gaskets, had them changed, didn't cure it, next they changed the covers themselves, apparently they could have been warped.
Then the crank sensor was replaced, cured the problem of it cutting out.
Next up was MOT time, nothing too major, brakes (front relined), plastic headlight lens (t-cutted them and they were passed at retest, headlamp switch (replaced), n/s TRE ball joint (replaced).
When I got it back after the MOT the steering was heavy, took it back and was advised the steering pump needed replacing, they acquired a 2nd hand one (fitted for £80), didnt cure the heavy steering, now I'm informed that there are particles of metal within the system and I will now have another bill for £120 to replace (I think) the idler arm (again 2nd hand I think).
Also there is apparently an oil leak from the head gasket, unsure how serious but quoted £500 to cure.

Now this is a garage I have built a decent relationship with over the last 3 years, never had a problem previously.
Maybe its just time to throw the towel in and look for another car, I generally just run cars until they die, this one cost me £500 with a 12mth ticket, maybe I should have ditched it sooner.
Its been the best drive I've had for years, like I said not a murmur for 10mths.
Thing is I now have 12mth ticket, steering will be hopefully be fine when done today. Hard to justify spending another £500 though.
Haven't looked around yet but I suppose there will be another one to be had for similar money, have I just had bad luck in the last couple of months or are these things common?
Really nice car, shame it's gone bad.

Thanks in advance if anyone has any pointers.

[Lazydocker]

I'm sorry to say it but I think your garage have been replacing items at random to try and cure problems. I'd look for another garage before binning the car

[Ghost]

A second hand steering Idler arm? they cost about £25 new. and they wont make the steering heavey.
A little tip if I may. but steering and brakes only use NEW parts,
The other members would be able to give you more tips as to wha the prob. could be a bit later on in the day.

[NW42]

thanks for the reply, I can't argue with what you say, it's just not a nice feeling to have, I don't live in an area where I know many people, this garage came recommended and like I said, never had a problem before.
I hate the thought of having to try my luck elsewhere, I'm sure you know the score, it really is pot luck when you try a new place.

[NW42]

Ghost, maybe it isn't 2nd hand then, to be honest I was that gutted about the news on the oil leak that I wasnt paying full attention to what he was saying on the phone, maybe it was a new one.
I really do need to satrt paying more attention with these things, I have no knowledge of mechanics and have been happy, until now, to put my trust in the 'experts', not any longer.

thanks for responding though.

[Ghost]

I know the feeling about finding the right garage, I moved back to gb nearly 3 years ago and there is not one of the garages here that I would trust to change the spark plugs without buggering something up.
Its easy to find out if its new or not. just have a look on the pass, side behind the wheel and you should see the idler arm if its clean and silver gray in coulor then its new.


But there are a lot of people here that will help you even if they come to you or you go to them,
it is a very good forum with a family like feeling to it.

[Lazydocker]

NW42, please update your location on your profile... There may be someone local who can help you out

I would be very cautious about the oil leak... Sounds to me like they've just replaced the cam covers with patter parts, which aren't worth the effort, and not cleaned the breathers so this will keep happening.

TBH, if they're saying the head/head gasket is shot then £500 is way too cheap for a garage job :-/ :-/

[Greg2041]

I wouldn't like to say that the garage is ripping you off, but the Omega V6s are quite a specialist bit of kit and as someone who has paid out nearly £3K to keep the thing on the road (the previous guy spent £2K), I would ALWAYS seek the advice of fellow owners because these guys are seriously committed and worth their weight in gold.  Keep the car until you really know what is wrong.

[NW42]

thanks very much to all who have replied, much appreciated.
I have just re-read my first post, to correct, I'm sure he said that they are having to replace the steering box because of the particles that have got into the system, I assume these particles are from the steering pump that was replaced last week.
As I said, I really did feel comfortable at this garage, got a nice feel about it, smallish, 4 or 5 mechanics, definitely not a dodgy place. I'm now left feeling disappointed in my judgement and apprehensive about where else to go, or indeed if it is not down to them and more a case of getting what I paid for 12mths ago, a cheap car.
Incidentally, the last owner had kept all the receipts, never studied them but there were plenty, point is he had obviously spent on it, it did seem like a well maintained car, now it resmbles a nail....

[alank46]

Hi
The heavy steering could be as simple as a blown fuse.  Your car has speed sensitive assistance (I think), if the fuse blows you get no assistance whatever the speed.  Your garage may not be aware of this.

Where abouts in Cheshire are you, its a fairly big county.

[NiallyV6CDX]

With the oil leak, ask them if the cleaned out the crank case breather system before they put the new rocker gaskets on, and if they used genuine GM gaskets.
If they didnt do both of those the problem will just keep recurring. BTW the crankcase breathers is a pretty easy DIY job, you could do it one aftenoon yourself I'm sure.
As for the steering...hmm. Not sure about that one. I would have thought the new pump would have fixed it. The garage probably arent ripping you off deliberately, but the omega has lots of little quirks that require experience with this specific car to fix correctly. JamesV6CDX offers call out services and may be able to help you with that.

[NiallyV6CDX]

Hi
The heavy steering could be as simple as a blown fuse.  Your car has speed sensitive assistance (I think), if the fuse blows you get no assistance whatever the speed.  Your garage may not be aware of this.

Where abouts in Cheshire are you, its a fairly big county.

Yeah good point, V6s do have variable assistance so do check that fuse

[Ghost]

that fuse no 14=20a here is a link
www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1161602008

[NW42]

thanks again, funny you should mention fuses, the ciggy lighters have stopped working in the last week, never got around to checking the fuse, will be doing as soon as I get it back later.
Somebody asked where in Cheshire, I'm in Northwich.

I do like this car, it's like driving an armchair when it's on song, wouldn't hesitate to have another, although it's fairly thirsty ( 350miles from a tank on average), unsure how that compares. I'm no car enthusiast by any means, had plenty of different motors over the years and never paid much for them, run them til they die and get another one. I was hoping to avoid having to replace this one for a while, had an expensive year so far with other things but if it's going to mean throwing another £500 at it I will have to consider replacing.
I am heartened by the responses on here though, maybe I will find out things aren't so bad and be able to get it sorted more reasonably,
here's hoping

[NW42]

Ghost driver, nice one, it's the same fuse as the lighter, thank you.
Only problem I have now is that I have to go to the garage and tell them to remove whatever parts they have fitted and sell me a fuse, smashing.
As plenty have said already these models have their particular problems and I wish I had found this place sooner