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[mattbearman]

While following the guide for clearing blocked breathers on the V6, I managed to drop the 1mm drill bit I was using to clear the smaller hole into the breather box. From what I can see of the pictures of the breather boxes internals, the baffles should keep the bit in there, and not allow it into the crank case itself, but I really don’t like the idea of leaving it there.

Has anyone else managed to screw up in this way? Is it worth the effort of removing the breather box to retrieve the drill bit? Looks like it’ll be a pain in the ass to reseal it again

[Doctor Gollum]

Whether it's worth it or not depends on how little or much damage you think I might cause if it ends up in the crank. 

If you're worried about dropping it in there, then undo the four bolts that hold the breather box to the block, soak it in diesel for a week and then run it through the dishwasher. This was typed before fully understanding the predicament but I personally wouldn't chance it.
Whether it would fall through or not depends entirely on the length of the bit relative to the dimensions of the baffles.
And remove the sump to better guarantee that it has been retrieved.

[dave the builder]

IIRC there's pics in one of the guides showing splitting the breather box open, cleaning out and re-sealing it

[Doctor Gollum]

I think that was what was being hoped to avoid, but sounds like not much choice... 

[mattbearman]

Yeah, definitely gonna remove the breather box and (hopefully) retrieve the drill bit. Even though I'm confident the drill bit can't get out on its own, it would always be in the back of my mind if I left it there. Plus it was a nice drill bit

I've seen a breather box for sale on eBay for £25, so rather than trying to split and reseal mine I might just replace it instead

[Doctor Gollum]

Yeah, definitely gonna remove the breather box and (hopefully) retrieve the drill bit. Even though I'm confident the drill bit can't get out on its own, it would always be in the back of my mind if I left it there. Plus it was a nice drill bit

I've seen a breather box for sale on eBay for £25, so rather than trying to split and reseal mine I might just replace it instead

£25 sounds like a fair compromise. Then you can hack open the old one just to confirm that the drill bit is indeed trapped in it

Clean the new one as above and refit with a bead of grey goo. 

[mattbearman]

Is the grey goo anything specific? I’ve got some of the standard black RTV that I used to seal the sump on my MR2, will that work?

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Probably.

[robson]

Looks like there is a lesson to be learnt here.

[dave the builder]

Looks like there is a lesson to be learnt here.

Drive your Omega fast and for long distances ,so the breathers don't get blocked in the first place ?     

[Nick W]

Looks like there is a lesson to be learnt here.

Drive your Omega fast and for long distances ,so the breathers don't get blocked in the first place ?     

That can only apply if you know the breathers are clear.


As you can't buy a brand-new Omega that hasn't been driven or serviced badly, it means taking the breathers(and every other system you're worried about) apart and cleaning them.

[mattbearman]

My lesson should probably be don't buy cars sight unseen from hundreds of miles away, but it's one I doubt I'll learn 

[Nick W]

My lesson should probably be don't buy cars sight unseen from hundreds of miles away, but it's one I doubt I'll learn 

That's something that only a few people can do without any problems. I've a friend who accidentally bought a Ferrari 412 off Ebay, kept it for about four years, fixed all the problems(which is impressive all by itself ) and sold it for a profit.

[robson]

My lesson would be try to use a tool that cannot disappear into an unaccessible area, easier said than done.

[Rangie]

My lesson should probably be don't buy cars sight unseen from hundreds of miles away, but it's one I doubt I'll learn 

. 


Bought a 1992 Merc 190e off eBay a few years back 1 doctor owner from new had to go to Edinburgh to collect it , fantastic car never missed a beat, also a Hyundai Terracan from Yorkshire another excellent vehicle sight unseen on both, but they had honest descriptions and had been owned by the people selling them, trouble is now too many " amateur dealers" on the bay.