My original problem on my 2003 Omega 2.2CD has been resolved with a new HBV.

Sadly however the other issue of a misfire has now been diagnosed as a head gasket failure.

The garage has quoted £700. For amongst other things;

Head Gaskets
Skimming Head
Cambelt Kit
Tensioner
etc etc (it's quite a long list)

The cambelt service was completed after 130,000, so I'm not sure if  I can get away without changing that, or if it would reduce the cost that much anyway.

My car has done 138,000 miles, is this worth doing, or in reality is this a write off ??

Any help would be appreciated

Paul

Let us have a full list of symptoms & we will go from there. Why have the Garage diagnosed HG failure?

When you say "the filler tank boils" ... do you really mean that .. IE you are getting boiling water and steam from the filler ?? or are you just getting "cold" bubbles of gas ??

If it is the first .. hot and steam .. then it could be a blockage in the cooling syatem causing "localised" overheating.

If it is "cold" gas bubbles then it is more likely the HG and you are getting combustion gases being forced into the cooling system.

A pressure test of the coolant system, or a compression test of the cylinders, would be my next step.

I would NOT go for the cheap "hydrocarbons present" type test as they can give false readings with either "old" coolant or an oil cooler problem, as both induce hydrocarbons into the water.

I have spoken to the garage again and confirmed.

The bubbles in the expansion are cold.

There is a misfire on idle

And smoke from the exhaust

Hes not sure how much damage has been done, and £75 could come off the bill if I don't choose to change the cambelt.

All cars require maintenance that sometimes may be at a cost that is questionable, but £625 on car that I paid £900 for seems a bit over the top.

For 20 years I have had corporate lease hire vehicles, that i never even looked at the engine (I regret that now). I lost my job and am now doing something different, I chose to avoid the monthly lease option, and decided that I wanted to buy a cheap car and look after it, and I have fallen at the first.

Is it practical that I could do the repair ?

Can I use a product called K Weld ? (don't answer this one as I don't really like the idea  )

Is my car (Omega 2003 CD 2.2 138,000) actually worth anything, or is it time for the scrap yard ?

Please let me know

Paul

Hi again Paul, if you've decided it is definately HG failure, then DIY should cost around £150? plus a further £30ish to skim the head (if necessary).This doesn't include the cost of waterpump or cambelt kit though. Give Andy C a PM, he is extremely helpful & will give you a definitive cost & will supply parts at Trade prices, so a very big saving ( he is Parts Manager at a VX Dealership). You will also get as much help as you need to do the job yourself from the members on here. 

I doubt it would make it to Gloucestershire, else I'd sort it for you, if you can do without for a couple of weekends?

Realistically, I can't give any reliable assistance with a HG job until early May 

Great to see you're DIYing.  I recently bought the Halfords advanced pro range tool kit on special offer £99.99 (£100 off RRP). Currently on. It would definitely be sufficient as advised on this site you can reserve online and pick up from store.

I would like to invite you join the following cash back site, for additional discount if possible.http://www.topcashback.co.uk/ref/member31818672325


I've also started to do my mig (2.0 R GLS).  Don't think they are too dissimilar.  As a heads up), Haynes instructed to ensure tensioner arm correctly positioned prior to release to enable auxilary belt removal. After a considerable time of checking, re-checking with ,mark 1 eyeball and rereading manual I found mine did not possess this and all was needed was to release alternator to remove said belt.

Also when you come to remove injector electrical connectors, metal retaining clips (5) are located running between wire assembly encasement and camshaft covers. These need to be released to enable connector removal.

I've never done this job before but am enjoying so far. IMHO I believe this is a good project to cut my teeth on (at least for me)
Take it slow, be methodical, take before pics and through each stage, label parts and where located from.


I am currently just having a little prob of removing injectors also inlet manifold support bracket, which I'm about to ask help on.

Keep motivated

Abiton wrote on 04. Apr 2011 at 13:12:


Add to that a torque wrench or two and perhaps an angular gauge for head bolt tightening.

Kevin