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[woolley11]

If I’m changing head gasket and cam belt/tensioner set, water pump etc, do I need to get the locking tools; the red & green sprocket locks and the water pump lock?

See these on eBay for £40 but do I need them ?

Thanks

[Andy B]

If I’m changing head gasket and cam belt/tensioner set, water pump etc, do I need to get the locking tools; the red & green sprocket locks and the water pump lock?

See these on eBay for £40 but do I need them ?

Thanks

In a word ..... Yes!
 

You're timing 2 pairs of cams with each other & the crank and it's possible to vary each bit. Without the locking kit, it's just a best guess.

[Nick W]

If I’m changing head gasket and cam belt/tensioner set, water pump etc, do I need to get the locking tools; the red & green sprocket locks and the water pump lock?

See these on eBay for £40 but do I need them ?

Thanks

In a word ..... Yes!
 

You're timing 2 pairs of cams with each other & the crank and it's possible to vary each bit. Without the locking kit, it's just a best guess.

and you would need about 7 hands just to assemble everything.


It's very simple, you need the entire locking set. You mentioned the three locks but not the gauge, which is the most important bit


If you're going to source a set, get one which includes the cranked 30mm spanner. You can do without(or improvise like I have), but it isn't worth the hassle. The spanner is bloody expensive if bought separately.

[woolley11]

One full kit purchased including gauge and spanner 

[Enceladus]

Head gasket or gaskets?

Why are you changing the gasket(s)? It's rare for them to fail on the V6.
In most cases where head gasket failure is mooted by the owner (or more usually a garage), it turns out to be something else entirely. EG the oil cooler.

Also if the heads are warped there is minimal scope for skimming, strictly speaking, per Opel/Vauxhall, none at all. So the old maxim "if it ain't broke don't fix it" applies.

[Andy B]

Head gasket or gaskets?

Why are you changing the gasket(s)? It's rare for them to fail on the V6.
In most cases where head gasket failure is mooted by the owner (or more usually a garage), it turns out to be something else entirely. EG the oil cooler.
 ....

Years ago there was an Omega owner near me that had been told that many times .... his car very quickly produced white exhaust. It did turn out to be a gasket. 

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

3.0 head gaskets aren't that uncommon a failure. 2.6 / 3.2 are very uncommon.

[TheBoy]

Early 1998 3.0l do seem a bit susceptible to HGF, leaking coolant externally at the back of 2/4/6 bank.  No need to ask how I know that

[woolley11]

Yes Defo head gasket - O/S bank number 1 cylinder gone 

In no particular order: Water in expansion tank all gone, emulsion in oil, white smoke/steam from exhaust- and nail in coffin : Compression test shows the No1 cylinder about 40% of the other 5 cylinders.

Aware the head could be warped and that there’s no room for an effective skim as compression ratio and refit of fuel system/injection might not seat properly. I’ve got a good straightedge and feeler gauges so will ensure it is “true” before refit.

There’s an O/S head I can lay my hands on which apparently is straight if not.

Have thought of a full replacement engine if all else fails but not seen any reasonable milers about. Mines done 113k - I think the thermostat has gone as it ran quite hot prior to it failing. 

[jb]

Minimise the warp risk by gradually unbolting the head bolts no more than 2 turns at a time in a diag. pattern

[JamesV6CDX]

3.0 head gaskets aren't that uncommon a failure. 2.6 / 3.2 are very uncommon.

But not unheard of. Look at RaeV6's car... even on spinning it over, the HG were so badly gone it was throwing coolant up out of the plug holes!!

That said, two second hand heads and new gaskets, and it was good as new, still going strong a year or two later

[woolley11]

Yes good bit of advice - to ease it up gently 

Hoping it’s not warped but I’ll have to take what’s coming 

Sad thing is I scrapped a 3.0MV6 with a 97k engine about 7 years ago  - basically failed mot on most things - 4 tyres, 2 exhausts, suspension, brakes, emissions and the 4 door bottoms had gone, oh well we live & learn !

[Nick W]

Head gasket or gaskets?

Why are you changing the gasket(s)? It's rare for them to fail on the V6.
In most cases where head gasket failure is mooted by the owner (or more usually a garage), it turns out to be something else entirely. EG the oil cooler.
 ....

Years ago there was an Omega owner near me that had been told that many times .... his car very quickly produced white exhaust. It did turn out to be a gasket. 

as did mine. Unusual does not mean impossible.


But when you consider the amount of work(and expense) involved in changing the head gaskets, you want to be absolutely certain you're working on the correct problem - it's not the £10 part and hour's work on an old OHV engine

[woolley11]

Haha yes - the little straight 4 cylinder OHV with little or no ancillaries - very quick job those.

I think I’ve spent about 4 hours upto now and ready to undo rocker cover and undo exhaust down pipe and then undo cam shaft and head bolts.

So at least similar hours to refit

[JamesV6CDX]

Haha yes - the little straight 4 cylinder OHV with little or no ancillaries - very quick job those.

I think I’ve spent about 4 hours upto now and ready to undo rocker cover and undo exhaust down pipe and then undo cam shaft and head bolts.

So at least similar hours to refit

My one bit of advice: enjoy it! Take your time, and ask on here, there's a wealth of knowledge if you're not sure