Re: Omega 2.5 V6 Cambelt

"Steve" wrote in news:fSv2b.1713$ snipped-for-privacy@wards.force.net:

I have a 2.5 V6 Omega and have recently changed the water pump and the rocket cover gaskets on it and so appreciate the amount of work you are having to do just to get into the engine.

Re the low compression in the engine. Do you think the cambelt skipped a tooth or so when the tensioner pulley packed up? After the new belt was put on, are you sure that the timing was set up correctly? If the timing is out, the pistons may have come into contact with the valves and bent them out of line. That would explain the misfiring and the low compression. You could be looking at replacing the valves as well as the the oil stem seals (which often crack) on the cylinders that are giving low pressure readings. It is a lot of work just to get into that engine and a hell of a lot more work to rebuild the top of it...

Re the Vauxhall price for doing the job. A few years ago I had an M reg

2.0 Omega and the cambelt snapped on that (yeah, I'm a sucker for punishment). I approached my local Vauxhall dealer and asked about the cost of repairing the damage. Their attitude was that the labour cost was so much (fitting 16 valves, 16 stem seals & four pistons, etc.) that it was cheaper to just put a new lump in the car. Their quote was £3,500! The 2.5 engine is even more complex and difficult to work on than the 2.0 one. I would guess a Vauxhall dealer would quote of £4,000 to £5,000 for fitting a new engine. I'd be interested to hear from any Vauxhall dealers about whether they would repair or replace this engine - I have a feeling they would just want to replace it (they have to warrenty their work so any further problems could be their responsibility). In the end I got my 2.0 engine repaired by a local garage that specialised in rebuilding engines (16 valves replaced and all the stem seals replace but the pistons left dented) for £600. It ran sweetly after it was repaired.

I would be interested to hear how you get on and what you find when you get the heads off. Good luck...

Progress so far

The heads are now both off, the one bank with the lowest (or no) compression has some bent inlet valves that no longer close, the other side doesn't look as bad. Even the valves that seem closed have a ring around them where the carbon has been worn/bashed off. I'll get both heads checked over and new valves where necessary. The dips in the tops of the pistons have a clean bit on them where contact has been made. Having the heads reconditioned should take a week or so. Then it's time for the re-fit................... Problems with the dis-assemble were mainly around how to get to things. The haynes manual also has you removing parts you don't need to e.g. power steering pump.

at least I get a week off while the heads are away.

thanks for the comments

Socket