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[fcc-pt]

Hi, I'm looking for an OEM Gasket Set fitting:

Make: Opel
Model: Omega B Caravan (estate)
Year: 1997
Var: KD11Ver: 6A09VHECF5
Engine: X30XE - 2962 CC MV6
Fuel: Petrol - 155KW
Chassis Number:W0L0VBP35W12569
Engine Number: 082 964 38

I've found a few kits at ebay but I'm not sure if any fits.
According to https://opel.7zap.com/en/car/v94/e/5/9-1/#2
It as been replaced by part number 93173679

What you guys think?

Thanks

[Enceladus]

Victor Reinz 02-34220-01 seems to have all those seals.
Are you removing/replacing the heads? The cylinder head gaskets are pretty robust and rarely fail, its mainly the cam cover seals that give trouble.

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

3.0 head gaskets are more known for failure than any of the other engines though. 

[TheBoy]

3.0 head gaskets are more known for failure than any of the other engines though. 

It seems to be those early MY98 ones, so cars built in 1997.  Failure mode is a coolant leak from the water jacket to outside, at the back of cylinder 6.

[fcc-pt]

3.0 head gaskets are more known for failure than any of the other engines though. 

It seems to be those early MY98 ones, so cars built in 1997.  Failure mode is a coolant leak from the water jacket to outside, at the back of cylinder 6.

That's exactly what's going on! A small coolant leak at the back of the engine... coolant system builds some pressure! The oil cooler is broken and I'm replacing it as well!
I'm not sure if the head gasket is broken but since this engine is 200.000KM+ it might very well be it! Probably doesn't deserve new head gaskets anymore but hey what can it be done right?
I'll pull the heads out but beffore that I will run a compression test... can't run a pressure test because the inlet manyfold is out.
About the head gasket kit what do you suggest?

[fcc-pt]

Victor Reinz 02-34220-01 seems to have all those seals.
Are you removing/replacing the heads? The cylinder head gaskets are pretty robust and rarely fail, its mainly the cam cover seals that give trouble.

Victor Reinz is that of great quality? Can it be compared with GM OEM?

[Nick W]

Victor Reinz 02-34220-01 seems to have all those seals.
Are you removing/replacing the heads? The cylinder head gaskets are pretty robust and rarely fail, its mainly the cam cover seals that give trouble.

Victor Reinz is that of great quality? Can it be compared with GM OEM?

Reinz or Elring will be easier to find and considerably cheaper than a GM headgasket set.


As mentioned, you need to be absolutely sure you have a head gasket failure and not one of the other possibilities before investing the time, money  and effort in stripping the engine.

[fcc-pt]

1) Well, I've got mayo on the oil cap and tube.
2) Oil on the expanssion tank
3) Missing coolant 1.5 liter every two weeks or so
4) Temperatures running above normal

It might all be due to the oil cooler?

[Doctor Gollum]

Headgasket won't allow water into the oil. Oil cooler will.

Mayo on the cap is an indication of blocked breathers, short journeys and crap oil. Castrol is particularly bad in this regard.

You probably have a few things going on at once. Either strip it down or throw in a bare 3.2 lump with the existing sensors 

[fcc-pt]

Headgasket won't allow water into the oil. Oil cooler will.

Mayo on the cap is an indication of blocked breathers, short journeys and crap oil. Castrol is particularly bad in this regard.

You probably have a few things going on at once. Either strip it down or throw in a bare 3.2 lump with the existing sensors 

Well I'm thinking about doing only heads, but first I'll run a compression test to have some general idea.
For sure it's not one thing, I'm betting head gasket, oil cooler and lack of proper maintenace breathers clooged up, crankcase ventilation rubber reed migh be faulty as well after 24 years
Strip this engine down and rebuild it must be super expenssive!

[Doctor Gollum]

Well you already require two head gaskets and an oil cooler 

[Nick W]

Well you already require two head gaskets and an oil cooler 

New headbolts too, as they don't come with the gaskets. I would definitely replace the exhaust gaskets; the various inlet ones are probably reusable if you don't have a complete gasket set.

[Doctor Gollum]

I was simply thinking that by the time you have bothered, you could simply dump a known good engine in, in which case, why wouldn't it be a 3.2

[fcc-pt]

I can't reach one! There's none around, I'm afraid that this engine is probably under five running around in this country.

[fcc-pt]

I've removed the head covers and found that the oil beneath the camshafts smelled a bit to petrol.
The oil has between 5 to 10 thousand Km, how much oil the X30XE does consume between changes?

[Doctor Gollum]

Depends on the engine and its overall condition. My high mileage 3.2 used to use about half a litre every 10k miles, but VW think it is reasonable for a new engine to consume a litre every thousand kilometres.

The handbook doesn't specify an amount, but does say that some usage is normal and different journey and driving styles will affect the consumption

[fcc-pt]

I've to add 5/6 times that amount but then the engine has a LOT of leaks in particularly by the valve covers (suspecting that the breathing system needs maintenace) so I don't have any idea about the real consumption.

[Doctor Gollum]

Which amount? 2.5-3 litres between changes is alot, but not necessarily excessive... 5-6 litres every 1,000 kilometres is indicative of a much bigger problem

Most cars require some sort of ongoing preventative maintenance. Otherwise you end up where you are now. Most dead Omegas end up dead because successive owners keep ignoring the various issues.

[fcc-pt]

Which amount? 2.5-3 litres between changes is alot, but not necessarily excessive... 5-6 litres every 1,000 kilometres is indicative of a much bigger problem

Most cars require some sort of ongoing preventative maintenance. Otherwise you end up where you are now. Most dead Omegas end up dead because successive owners keep ignoring the various issues.

I'm sorry, I meant 5 or 6 times more = ~2,5 liters every 10000 Kilometres
If I discount the leaks that probably go up to 1 liter easly...

[fcc-pt]

Which amount? 2.5-3 litres between changes is alot, but not necessarily excessive... 5-6 litres every 1,000 kilometres is indicative of a much bigger problem

Most cars require some sort of ongoing preventative maintenance. Otherwise you end up where you are now. Most dead Omegas end up dead because successive owners keep ignoring the various issues.

Well, I've spent a lot of money on this car since I own it.
The problem are the mechanics that nowdays barely can change parts, it's a feeling of defeat... the last maintence costed me around 3000€!

[Doctor Gollum]

Not surprised if your defering everything. 

[fcc-pt]

I need original Head Gasket Kit GM/OPEL/VAUXHALL part numbers.
Decided I only go with GM/OEM parts.
If need engine details take a look at the first post please.

[sjc]

I need original Head Gasket Kit GM/OPEL/VAUXHALL part numbers.
Decided I only go with GM/OEM parts.
If need engine details take a look at the first post please.

Victor Reinz were the OEM supplier 

[Nick W]

I need original Head Gasket Kit GM/OPEL/VAUXHALL part numbers.
Decided I only go with GM/OEM parts.
If need engine details take a look at the first post please.

GM gaskets?


Have you won the lottery?


Even if you pay the full retail price for a Reinz or Elring set, the saving will be impressive. And I bet GM only list them separately, so you'll save time and grief ordering them too

[fcc-pt]

I need original Head Gasket Kit GM/OPEL/VAUXHALL part numbers.
Decided I only go with GM/OEM parts.
If need engine details take a look at the first post please.

GM gaskets?


Have you won the lottery?


Even if you pay the full retail price for a Reinz or Elring set, the saving will be impressive. And I bet GM only list them separately, so you'll save time and grief ordering them too

Nope 

How about these ones https://racingcustomparts.com/produkt/compression-rate-plate-opel-v6-series-x25xex30xez32se/

[Nick W]

I need original Head Gasket Kit GM/OPEL/VAUXHALL part numbers.
Decided I only go with GM/OEM parts.
If need engine details take a look at the first post please.

GM gaskets?


Have you won the lottery?


Even if you pay the full retail price for a Reinz or Elring set, the saving will be impressive. And I bet GM only list them separately, so you'll save time and grief ordering them too

Nope 

How about these ones https://racingcustomparts.com/produkt/compression-rate-plate-opel-v6-series-x25xex30xez32se/

Those are used with two normal head gaskets per side to lower the compression ratio for boost. Completely pointless on a normally aspirated engine. Anyone who is serious about building a high boost engine would design custom pistons to do the same job.


You want something like THIS or THIS


You'll need new head bolts too, for another £30.

[fcc-pt]

Unfortunately none fit my engine but the price tag is very decent

[Nick W]

Unfortunately none fit my engine but the price tag is very decent

They were just the first ones I came to. Prices from various suppliers seem to range from about £70 to £100. A 3.0l set will cost the same as a 2.5. Vectras use very different intake manifolds and plenums, which mean the upper gaskets differ. On the Omega, new head to inlet gaskets are usually all that's needed because the others are rubber seals that are probably reusable. Those sets do include the cam oil seals, which you will want to replace. Ensure you're fitting them for the correct rotation


The 3.2(and 2.6) sets tend to be a bit more expensive because the exhaust manifold gaskets cost more.


Fit a new thermostat while you have heads off. The housing and transfer tube can be removed as a unit once the cam belt backing plate is off, which increases your chances of reusing the tube.

[fcc-pt]

The thermostat is new I had it replaced a couple thousand km same with water pump bronze impeller and the timming belt kit as well.
It kills me to replace everything...
Will I need a straight edge of 400cm and a feeler gauge to check the heads for flatness expenssive tools...

[Nick W]

The thermostat is new I had it replaced a couple thousand km same with water pump bronze impeller and the timing belt kit as well.
It kills me to replace everything...
Will I need a straight edge of 400cm and a feeler gauge to check the heads for flatness expensive tools...

A good quality 300mm steel rule is more than good enough to check the heads. That's a £10 tool that you probably already have. Use it with a small torch. Any head that fails that test is then checked with the feeler gauge to determine whether you get your machine shop to check it with dedicated and precise tools/procedures.

[fcc-pt]

The thermostat is new I had it replaced a couple thousand km same with water pump bronze impeller and the timing belt kit as well.
It kills me to replace everything...
Will I need a straight edge of 400cm and a feeler gauge to check the heads for flatness expensive tools...

A good quality 300mm steel rule is more than good enough to check the heads. That's a £10 tool that you probably already have. Use it with a small torch. Any head that fails that test is then checked with the feeler gauge to determine whether you get your machine shop to check it with dedicated and precise tools/procedures.

Thank you so much for the tip that was smart.