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[bigdods]

a few other things to check

Pull out a spark plug lead on each side and check there is no oil in the spark plug well. If there is it will need new cam cover gaskets, bit of a tricky job (but there is a guide on here), expensive if you ask a garage to do it

Check that the EML light comes on the goes out when the ignition is switched on. It has been known for the bulb to be removed.

If its a 2.5 or 3.0 v6 take a paperclip and do the test (see guide on here for how to). This will show you any fault codes store in the ECU. For the 2.6 or 3.2 I think there is a similar thing you can do using the brake pedal (not sure I have a 3.0 and keep a paperclip handy)

Check that the coolant is red not blue and that the header tank doesnt have any oil in it. If it does it means a replacement oil cooler and thats quite a few £££.

Uneven wear on the front tyres (usually a strip about 2 inches wide worn bare on the inside) indicates geometry problem. Can be fixed for £60 at WIM plus new tyres around £80 each inc fitting

take it for a drive, check for juddering under braking. This may be knackered discs but could also be wishbone bushes. Not expensive.

test everything. Elite has heated mem seats, check full range of adjustment. Check rear view mirror motors work etc. Check aircon on all settings.

Thanks I'll do as many checks as I can,  though I don't think sellers will allow spark plug removal or sticking paper clips in their electrics still no harm in asking. is the 2.5 and 2.6 the same basic engine?

No spark plug removal, just pop the HT lead off the end (if its a 2.5 or 3.0 not sure how you do it on the 2.6 and 3.2) and look to see if there is any oil around the spark plug.

Sticking a paperclip in the diag socket is the only way to check out the ECU short of a full diagnostic on a computer. If the seller didnt want me to do it then TBH I'd probably walk away. Some major expensive issues will only be found by doing this.

[drozd]

Thanks, Its amazing how a cam cover gasket can be a big job, I could do it in 10 min on my old Escort. I guess the engine is shoe horned in there.

[mathewst]

Cam cover gasket is not a big job (well at least not on 2.2) if you have the proper tools. And I wouldn't agree on small consumption difference between 2.2 and v6 models.
If I watch out how I'm driving I'm able to get well over 40 mpg on open road. V6 models don't come close to that.
Personally I would avoid auto gearboxes especially v6 models cause they really consume a lot and don't go nowhere as fast as manuals do.
Although I would buy an auto if it was diesel.
Also from what I saw on the forum, auto gearboxes tend to have a mind of their own ( think this doesn't occur on all models) and seen more than a few posts of people having problems with those.
Also one important thing, if you buy 4pot and are going to change cambelt, change the waterpump also (/lesson bitterly learned  )

[SeedyV6]

FWIW, I would recommend reading the full listing of any car you are interested in.

Mine is a facelift 2.5V6 CD, with climate, full leather and 16's. (thinks the standard CD came with cloth and 15's but not sure?)

[drozd]

Thanks for all the advice guys... Yes I think I'll stick to a manual box, I've read a lot of auto horror stories on here, the only trouble is every Elite advertised so far has been an a Auto.

[Rockhampton]

Hi there, I've just recently bought my Omega, and would agree with pretty much all of the advice - I'd also add to make sure it's got the right tyres fitted (unlike mine!).
I've bought an auto (because I prefer them), and there are a lot of horror stories on here, but I'm sure that there are many others who have gearboxes that are just fine - I think there is a bit of luck involved as with any car over about 5 years old - by picking one with a decent service history, I guess you are minimising the risk.
My last car was a Fiat Marea, and if you look at them on the Fiat forum, there are loads of issues - having said that, I had mine for three years, and it was the most reliable car I ever owned, with well over 100k on the clock, and my father in law has it now - as I say, there are plenty of bad cars, but also plenty of good ones.
Good luck in your search !

[jonnycool]

Don't let the auto box put you off mate, it's great for cruising and it's probably the only part of my car i haven't had to look at!

[Rockhampton]

I agree - just put it in to drive and watch her go...

[GastronomicKleptomaniac]

Cam cover gasket is not a big job (well at least not on 2.2) if you have the proper tools. And I wouldn't agree on small consumption difference between 2.2 and v6 models.
If I watch out how I'm driving I'm able to get well over 40 mpg on open road. V6 models don't come close to that.

 I don't know, I managed 32mpg driving mine home from Kent... and that was with an average of mumblemumble mph...

[billy no mates]

Don't let the auto box put you off mate, it's great for cruising and it's probably the only part of my car i haven't had to look at!

Auto box is fine, in the last 5 months i have done 14,000 and no problems. Don't be afraid 

[al brown]

There is nothing wrong with auto's on these. The reason you see more auto problems on here is that most v6 came with auto's. There are almost no elite manuals about.
I agree that auto use more fuel, but if that is a worry dont buy an omega anyway as they do like a drink.
I looked for a month for a manual elite before I admited defeat and got an auto, wouldnt change it for a manual now though.
Al

[amba]

I have had 2 v6 auto,s during the last 6 years.The first covered over 225,000 with no issues from gearbox.My second which I still drive now has only 140,000 and only ever changed filter and gearbox oil the once.Kevin Wood did a tech2 upgrade on it at start of year and it hasn,t missed a beat since.Very occasionaly when hard accelerating gets a bit of a kick as it drops a gear down but no real grief.
Think the bottom line is what you intend to use the car for...mine is work every day driving 150miles+ and really wouldn,t go back to a manual as getting lazy in my old age.

[mantahatch]

Facelift model came at the end on 1999, you had prefacelift, minifacelift which are almost identical, and facelift from end of 1999 till 2003.
Which engine to buy is a matter of personal choice.
I have 2.2, but most people on the forum have V6 models. If you want a lot of extras you need at least CDX model (no leather but also a few toys in it) or better like mv6 or elite.

[/highlight]

Slightly disagree there, the MV6 has fewer toys than the CDX. But is much faster and stiffer suspension.

[Rockhampton]

Have to say as well there are plenty of reasonably priced spares & used parts on eBay - there's a lot of good advice on this forum, so the cost of running does not look as bad as some might think.....