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[baby2bubble]

Hi,

firstly sorry if this is the wrong section but I was unsure where to put this. We have an Omega Elite on a 1999 plate. The cams and tappets have gone on it and will need a few other parts, looking at costing in excess of £2k to put back when finished.

The car itself is one of the 'top of the range' models with all the added extras (17" alloys, rear spoiler, xenon headlights, phone etc...the Irmscher styling (but dont think its actually imrscher on the omega?)) on top of the standard elite spec and has been kept in top condition. It has now been stood for about 3 months and is nowhere near ready to be repaired yet.

Another car has been bought in the meantime. Would the car be worth breaking up for parts or putting another engine into sell on? It may be a bit hard to break the car as it is has been loved by the owner but fear it would be worth much less to be sold as a whole car in the condition it is in. But the cost of putting an engine in could outweigh a re-sale value?

Any advice appreciated. Thanks

[Varche]

When you say the cams and tappets have "gone" what do you mean by that? Maybe it just needs an oil change.

What other parts does it need?

[baby2bubble]

It was regularly serviced due to mileage covered. Somebody has been to look at it and advised that the cams need replacing and tappets. Unfortunately I dont have full information of what needs doing on it but he was told be much easier and cheaper to put a replacement engine in. Problem being trying to get hold of a decent 3L block for a start. Not being able to find one, then looked for parts required and was told approx £1500 parts alone. I imagine something else needs replacing too with the price given.

[Andy B]

.... Somebody has been to look at it and advised that the cams need replacing and tappets.  ....

I'd be very surprised if cams needed replacement  :-/ Did your problems just appear during use or was the car laid up for a while? The 'tappets'/lifters can stick but don't usually require replacement, a few regular oil changes can make all the difference.

[Varche]

Might be worth getting a second opinion on what is actually wrong with it. maybe from someone near you from the forum.

If it has been well serviced and is up to date with cambelt changes then you can guage the price it would fetch from the likes of Autotrader and Ebay.

Then it boils down to:

Do you want to keep the car and spend some money getting it back to scratch?

Do you want to just get shot of it without MOT? and with these "problems" 

Do you want to spend money on getting someone to fix the problems by perhaps putting a known good engine in it. before selling it?

[baby2bubble]

I'd be very surprised if cams needed replacement  :-/ Did your problems just appear during use or was the car laid up for a while? The 'tappets'/lifters can stick but don't usually require replacement, a few regular oil changes can make all the difference.

It happened whilst driving and the AA were called soon as the noise started. They advised probably cams issue, car was taken back to the house until the mechanic came round.

Unfortunately its a family members car and we would like to advice him on the best option for him before he puts any money into it. Now has a diesel and much more economy for work (travels a fair distance for work) but loves the car and will be hard not having the car. I wasnt there when the guy diagnosed the problem so missed out on all the information. But the head is still off the car now.

Thing is, the car is in really good condition. The alloys are great condition with really good tyres on them, car is washed, waxed etc VERY frequently, interior has been taken car off and first bit of rust that appeared was dealt with. Such a shame that this has happened which is an awful lot of money to put right.

If as you say, it may not be the problem, we will still struggle now to get another opinion on it.

[baby2bubble]

Might be worth getting a second opinion on what is actually wrong with it. maybe from someone near you from the forum.

If it has been well serviced and is up to date with cambelt changes then you can guage the price it would fetch from the likes of Autotrader and Ebay.

Then it boils down to:

Do you want to keep the car and spend some money getting it back to scratch?

Do you want to just get shot of it without MOT? and with these "problems" 

Do you want to spend money on getting someone to fix the problems by perhaps putting a known good engine in it. before selling it?

He has mentioned putting an engine in it and selling it on but personally I cannot see this making sense economically but understand if the car was to go, he would rather it be working order. On the other hand, we need to advise him best we can.

[RobG]

When the "noise" appeared did the engine stop. As mechanic has removed head/s was it a cambelt failure :-/

[baby2bubble]

When the "noise" appeared did the engine stop. As mechanic has removed head/s was it a cambelt failure :-/

The engine didnt stop and it was still driven home steadily with AA following. No mention of cambelt to me but I thinking that the guy who looked is thinking more needs doing that just what went wrong with it at the time. Maybe caused further damage?

[henryd]

did the oil pressure warning light come on prior to the noise occuring?,if yes I would be thinking blocked oil pick up in the sump.Problem is if the cams are damaged due to lack of oil pressure there is probably other damage done as well

[baby2bubble]

did the oil pressure warning light come on prior to the noise occuring?,if yes I would be thinking blocked oil pick up in the sump.Problem is if the cams are damaged due to lack of oil pressure there is probably other damage done as well

Nothing said about oil pressure warning before hand. Had been driving about 5-10 minutes and the noise came loud from the engine, sounded rough and very out of character. Pulled up, switched off and called the AA. They heard it, followed him back and advised not to run the car other than to a garage for repair.

I guess it must have done a little more damage.

Thanks for all the replies btw!

[Elite Pete]

The AA must be mad if they've asked someone to drive there car home while the top end is making a racket, they should have towed it back

[henryd]

The AA must be mad if they've asked someone to drive there car home while the top end is making a racket, they should have towed it back

my thoughts entirely

[Kevin Wood]

I would get someone else who knows what they are doing (i.e. Not the AA) to have a look at it.

It's very rare that a "cam" fails. hydraulic tappets perhaps, but these are straightforward to replace.

.. have they taken the heads off?

If so, to be honest, the most it's likely to need is a pair of good heads from a breaker, a set of gaskets and a few hours to put it back together.

If it has been run without oil pressure it's a different matter.

As said, it needs someone who knows these cars to give it a once-over and see what's what.

Kevin

[baby2bubble]

Can anybody recommend anybody in Sheffield area to have a look at this?

Also, any idea on the value of the car?

I would get someone else who knows what they are doing (i.e. Not the AA) to have a look at it.

It's very rare that a "cam" fails. hydraulic tappets perhaps, but these are straightforward to replace.

.. have they taken the heads off?

If so, to be honest, the most it's likely to need is a pair of good heads from a breaker, a set of gaskets and a few hours to put it back together.

If it has been run without oil pressure it's a different matter.

As said, it needs someone who knows these cars to give it a once-over and see what's what.

Kevin

The heads were taken off by the mechanic (not AA by the way, they only followed him home). The mechanic has been looking after the car for quite a while but says this is a big job. He saw it and tried to find an engine, couldnt find one so remove the head(s) and has a list of parts that are needed. Says most are dealer parts only too.

The strange thing to me was that he diagnosed a new engine before removing the head etc and having a look...could this be done by looking around the engine as is? Found it strange he then came back to look at parts needed.

Obviously the longer it is stood, the more may need replacing so could do with getting it sorted one way or another soon rather than later.