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[JayHoe]

Hi all, I have a problem with my new to me Omega. It will not start (but will turn over) and indeed the engine does not catch at all.

Symptoms:
Just fixed faulty ignition by changing the barrel (old one broke up). New one 'works' in that positions I, II and III all behave as they should, the engine turns but doesn't start.

On the dash, a warning light that is an 'engine with lightning bolt in it' is flashing. I assume this means engine electrics.

I currently cannot get the plugs out to check them as they are in so deeply I can't get any plug spanner I have on to them. However, the rubber cap of one of them dripped oil! I wiped it clean, and with tissue paper cleaned oil out from round the plug. After retrying to start it and checking again, there is more oil around the plug :-(


It is a 2.0 16v DOHC engine, the cam shafts are high... higher that the recessed plugs. So perhaps a seal failing on the cover, although no oil can be seen other than around the foot of the plug and cap?

Head gasket gone? If it has, could this allow oil to get around the plug?

Piston Rings failed? Would it pressurise oil and force it past the plug?

As I said, the car is new to me, so I don't know my way around it yet, the plugs and caps WERE ok around a week or two ago as I had the caps off to dry up water that had surrounded them. Mmmm, thinking again, I assumed the PO had washed the engine for me and soaked it... but could this also have been coolant from a failed head gasket?? The car is currently abandoned in the yard of a friend where it failed about 2 miles from me. I can't get up there and back with loads of tools :-( When the weather improves, I can try and get it towed back, but we live rurally and have no transport at all.

Help!

Any ideas?

[Welung666]

Do a paperclip test (see below my post) but I'm guessing as the light is flashing it's an immobiliser problem.

Did you re-fit the immobiliser box on the key end of the barrel? Is it plugged in? Is the chip still in the key?

Try just turning the key to II then leave it untill all the slight settle down (normally 8 to 10 seconds) then try again.

[Welung666]

Oh the oil in the plug wells will be the cam cover gasket, easy peasy to do on a 4 pot

Where abouts are you?

[JayHoe]

Welung,

thanks VERY much for the fast response. I am near Bicester/Buckingham.

Right, so the oil is the likely to be the cam cover gasket - fab!

Yes I did refit the immobiliser thingy, (but I suppose It would be wise to doubl;e check it. The key has no chip, it is a replacement key that came with the barrel.

I will try that paper clip test when I can get back to the car (probably not today).
Cheers

John

[peter19730]

if your transponder chip is missing the car will not start, have you got your old key still as your transponder will still be in there.
you need to seperate your key and remove the little grey chip and place it into your new key and this should sort your problem

[TheBoy]

EML flashing is immobiliser.  Need you change over immobiliser? If so, you need to use your orig.

I'm in Brackley if really stuck

[JayHoe]

thanks guys. A chap on another forum just suggested the same. My FIL has just arrived so he is gonna give me a lift and I will stick the old key right next to the new to see if it works... fingers crossed!

Tune in later... :-)

[JayHoe]

Big round of applause and thanks!  That did it. So as long as I have the old key near on ignition, I am fine.

Cheers all for the speedy replies, and thanks TheBoy for your kind offer.

MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL!!!!

[sexydaz]

eeh int it nice when its simples

[JayHoe]

Yes it is. And it's also nice to have such quick, useful and friendly advice.

I appreciate it.

[Entwood]

You should be able to take the transponder out of the old key and suprglue it into the new one. They are only a "push fit" IIRC.

On my old miggy the chip came loose in the key and kept moving about causing poor starting .. a dab of superglue soon sorted it ..