OK guys and girls,
I am hoping for a happy (read cheap) solution to my problem. A few weeks ago my Vxl Omega started to run a bit rough, no probs I thought probably doddy petrol, so I filled her up again from a different petrol station, and the problem was no better.
I then thought maybe it's plugs, and bought a new set. I was amazed to find the plugs sitting in an inch of oil, so off to the garage it went for a new head gasket.
Garage repaired the head gasket, but the car still ran quite rough, and wouldnt pull up hills. So they changed the HT leads, it ran a bit better but is still crap.
They said it's probably valves, which I imagine is an expensive job, so has anyone any alternative ideas as to what the problem might be.
Opinions so far are
1) Lambda sensor
2) Coils.
Anyone know any different, or had a similar problem?
All responses appreciated.
TC
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If the garage changed the head gasket, why didn`t they check the valves? Easy job with head off.
A compression test will confirm either way.
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The cam rocker cover gasket as opposed to the head gasket.
This seems like a common problem, certainly one that I had for a long time during my early days of Omega ownership.
If plugs and leads dont help have a look at your DIS module. Its a b***** to get to being located on the back of the V6 under the wiper motor. Remove the motor and you can get your hand down the back to remove it. There have been mny examples where by the DIS has become rusty or even cracked. Mine certainly was in a bad way.
After i changed mine the cars performance improved, but not by a great deal. After much investigation a Bosch ECU specialist told me my unit was knackered. £80 later I found an exact match in a breakers which cured the problem completely. A very long and complicated saga which Vauxhall dealers were rather hopeless with.
Best of luck!
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I agree with Crombster. If the plug holes are full of oil suspect cam cover seals. Re head gasket surely as suggested garage could have tested before replacing. Re cam covers do you get smoke from oil hitting exhaust on drivers side - also look for oil on the metal coolant pipe running from radiator to the back of the engine on drivers side. Can oil on plug leads cause an electrical problem maybe cause of your misfire. I also had a problem with the cam seals and was amazed how much oil was slopping around the plugs and plug leads when I replaced the cam covers.
Good Luck
Ian
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Thanks guys for the info. I think the garage had to take the top off twice, once to fit the gasket, and then again to replace the leads.
I think they said the compression was a little low, but that it would probably fail emissions test by the next mot.
My quandry is what to do with the car next. I suppose I could spend £1000 or so, getting the valves done, and have a car thats worth £2000 sitting on the drive waiting for the next expense, or part-ex it at one of the Car Supermarkets, and hope for the best.
What kind of checks do they do on the part ex's, do they drive them around, or just run the engine.
The car revs fine in neutral, but is crap under load.
Thanks for the ideas so far, I'm just a bit cheesed off, as she's had a new exhaust, 4 new tyres, and a full service just 3 weeks before the prob started.
Arggghhhh.
TC
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What kind of checks do they do on the part ex's, do they drive them around, or just run the engine.
I part exch my Vectra at Fords of Winsford last year - all they did was start the engine and listen to the idle. Of course you get botoom book on the ex, however it suited me at the time.
Good Luck !!
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Did the rougher running co-incide with an oil change, possibly to the wrong grade? Too heavy a grade could cause problems with the hydraulic valve lifters which becomes more aparrent under load. Conversely over extended oil change periods could cause similar problems by clogging the lifters.We get a lot of ignition related problems with these cars so the coil pack could be a candidate especially if the plugs and leads have been changed.
Andrew
Happiness is a T70 at full chat!
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Hi Andrew,
In your experience, how much would replacing the coil pack cost? The Omega looks a bit of a pig to work on, so I imagine most of the money would go on labour!
Cheers
TC>> Did the rougher running co-incide with an oil change, possibly tothe wrong grade? Too heavy a grade could cause problems with the hydraulic valve lifters which becomes more aparrent under load. Conversely over extended oil change periods could cause similar problems by clogging the lifters.We get a lot of ignition related problems with these cars so the coil pack could be a candidate especially if the plugs and leads have been changed. Andrew Happiness is a T70 at full chat!
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Thanks Guys,
The problem was indeed a rusted coil, which was replaced together with a worn hose for £250.00 incl.
Phew, that means I can afford to get the cam-belt changed now.
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