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[Clueless]

I know nothing about cars but I’m getting conflicting opinions on a problem I have with my Omega 2.5 V6 Estate 1999 (Purchased just over a year ago).

The car needs some work doing to replace gaskets (rocker cover??) because oil is leaking into the spark plug sockets. The garage that services my car is happy to do the job but they are worried about the build up of ‘mayo’ in the oil filler tube/cap. (In fairness to the garage they don’t want to see me throwing good money after bad )
Although there is no sign of this ‘mayo’ on the dip stick or in the coolant/water chamber, the garage feel it might be a head gasket problem (in the early stages) because this mayo, having been cleaned out of the oil filler tube returns very quickly – after only a few miles driving.

Ideally I’d like to find an expert/enthusiast, preferably local (Newbury, Berkshire) who can give me some independent advice based on experience of Omega’s. More than happy to pay someone to do this. If, at the end of the day, it is the head gasket then the car will have to be scrapped because I don’t have the money for such an expensive repair.

I hope this ‘diatribe’ makes sense and that some one can assist me.

Many thanks

[tunnie]

Mayo build up is totally normal on V6, some oils (castrol is bad for it) creates a lot. Basically when the engine is cold, it creates a lot of condensation, which is trapped under the oil filler neck/cap, with the oil it turns to mayo.

GM Semi Synth Oil, and a few long blasts on the motorway should cure it, short runs make it worse!

Entwood is based near you, he maybe able to help 

[Abiton]

Are you losing any coolant? In other words, does the level in the expansion tank stay constant, or does it have to be topped up periodically.  If the latter, how much/how often?

[Clueless]

@Abiton.

No appreciable loss of coolant, haven't topped it up for months.

[Abiton]

 

Then the mayo isn't being caused by leakage of coolant into combustion chambers.  Ignore your 'prophet-of-doom' mechanic. 

[Welung666]

Clueless, save yourself a bit of worry. Take the filler neck off, clean it and put it in a cubby hole in the boot! Just fit the yellow cap directly to the cam cover. Just re-fit the neck when you need to top the oil up

[rob in gib]

also get the breathers cleaned when you replace the camcover gaskets this can help with both your issues

[albitz]

If you end up getting a local mechanic to do the job, insist on genuine VX parts only. If you dont there is a good chance you will be having it done again - soon.
Same for the breatheers being cleaned. If they arent cleaned, the build up of pressure will soon blow the new gaskets.
Hopefully someone nearby will be able to assist, or you could try  sending a PM to Darth Loo-knee, who is a travelling mechanic.
Do you know the cambelt history of the car? If not, look at getting that changed while your there.

[Clueless]

@ Albs

Had a new cambelt last February plus a couple of shock absorers a few months later followed by a full service last October.

[Welung666]

Where are you Clueless?

[Clueless]

@Welung666
Newbury, Berkshire

[UrbanFox]

Where are you Clueless?

Newbury according to his first post

[Hannah Judes Dad]

Clueless, save yourself a bit of worry. Take the filler neck off, clean it and put it in a cubby hole in the boot! Just fit the yellow cap directly to the cam cover. Just re-fit the neck when you need to top the oil up

I did this over a year ago and haven't had a 'mayo' incident ever since.One of the cheapest and easiest mods you can do. 

[Welung666]

@Welung666
Newbury, Berkshire

I'm about 100 miles from you but we could sort something out for me to come down and do them for you if you don't fancy tackling it yourself

[Clueless]

@Welung666

Thanks for the offer, I'll let you know if I decide to take it further.
Much appreciated.