Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Terbs on 01 October 2019, 14:15:43

Title: Cam cover gaskets
Post by: Terbs on 01 October 2019, 14:15:43
Hi all.
I am about to do the Timing belt (well, not me personally ;)) and was wondering about the cam cover gaskets at the same time. They were done in the not too distant past, and have done no mileage at all (well under 5000 miles). I can smell that burnt oil smell again, and think they may have let go at the back somewhere. I am assuming that they were genuine Vauxhall ones fitted, but do they deteriorate with lack of use. I have not checked the plug holes yet...obviously oil in them will confirm total failure. I do keep the breathers clear.
Is it still policy to only use genuine Vauxhall Dealer ones (if I can get them) as my searches keep throwing up Reinz or Elring.
I know the valve stem seals are worn, and get blue smoke at start up, then there is no trace of smoke after that. The engine runs sweet as a nut. Would this cause the smell during driving. Oil use is minimal.
TIA  :y
Title: Re: Cam cover gaskets
Post by: BazaJT on 01 October 2019, 17:24:11
Reinz are a very well respected make-Elring I've heard of but know nothing about so may be just as good-are you sure it's not just the "old" oil being burned off that's giving you the smell?
Title: Re: Cam cover gaskets
Post by: TheBoy on 01 October 2019, 17:32:53
Elring were the junk Autovaux used to fob off as "genuine", and are rubbish.

If I were doing mine now, I think I'd use genuine still, as despite the high cost, the job is tedious enough not to want to have to repeat for another 5yrs.
Title: Re: Cam cover gaskets
Post by: TheBoy on 01 October 2019, 17:33:58
Obviously, if paying a garage, all bets are off no matter what you use, because all garage mechanics will wreck them.
Title: Re: Cam cover gaskets
Post by: Terbs on 01 October 2019, 18:04:03
No, not paying a garage, Jamie. I have phoned H to see if C is interested doing the Cambelt. Cam covers, I was going to have a go at :)

BazaJT….not sure, but if we get a bit of decent weather, I will investigate more :)
Title: Re: Cam cover gaskets
Post by: biggriffin on 01 October 2019, 18:35:01
I did have a set of gaskets in the store, can't remember what make, would need to check, they are probably in one of my adverts in the for sale section,

..found it
 https://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=144876.0
Title: Re: Cam cover gaskets
Post by: Terbs on 01 October 2019, 19:05:28
PM sent :)
Title: Re: Cam cover gaskets
Post by: biggriffin on 01 October 2019, 21:14:23
PM sent :)


And read, will check at the weekend, and will let you know, if I've still got them. :'(
Title: Re: Cam cover gaskets
Post by: biggriffin on 04 October 2019, 20:05:37
PM sent :)


PM sent Tony. All packaged ready to post. :y
Title: Re: Cam cover gaskets
Post by: neil74 on 04 October 2019, 20:42:33
I used the reinz gaskets on mine and it doesn't leave pools of oil everywhere, for now anyway..
Title: Re: Cam cover gaskets
Post by: Terbs on 04 October 2019, 21:16:00
All sorted.... :)
Title: Re: Cam cover gaskets
Post by: sjc on 04 October 2019, 21:32:30
BTW, all the genuine VX ones I've ever bought were branded Reinz.  Pretty sure they make the majority of OEM gaskets and seals for GM.
Title: Re: Cam cover gaskets
Post by: Enceladus on 05 October 2019, 04:24:24
Since you are replacing the cam cover gaskets you will want to clear the crankcase breathers. Make sure you don't lose or damage the breather bridge to plenum seal AKA tophat seal. You won't be able to buy another.

It just requires a careful clean and refit.

You will also need the 16 small o-rings that sit round the bolt holes in the cam covers. Hopefully they are included included with the cam cover seals seals you bought from biggriffin. If not then buy some new ones, GM part #90411826 or equivalent. Don't reuse the old ones. They harden, squash flat and then leak.
Title: Re: Cam cover gaskets
Post by: BazaJT on 05 October 2019, 08:24:08
Top hat seals are[or were until fairly recently]available from the U.S.A. I asked my son-who lives over there-to get me one and he finished up sending me 4 so I still have 3 "spares".
Title: Re: Cam cover gaskets
Post by: biggriffin on 05 October 2019, 11:46:52
Top hat seals are[or were until fairly recently]available from the U.S.A. I asked my son-who lives over there-to get me one and he finished up sending me 4 so I still have 3 "spares".

Put em in the for sale section. :y
Title: Re: Cam cover gaskets
Post by: Bigron on 05 October 2019, 12:13:59
Offer them to Serek? That way you know they would be keping Omegas alive. :y

Ron.
Title: Re: Cam cover gaskets
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 05 October 2019, 20:17:59
Top hat seals are[or were until fairly recently]available from the U.S.A. I asked my son-who lives over there-to get me one and he finished up sending me 4 so I still have 3 "spares".

Put em in the for sale section. :y

Sounds like Baza could have a nice little top hat side line going on there!   :y
Title: Re: Cam cover gaskets
Post by: Terbs on 06 October 2019, 00:15:23
I have a few of the breather bridge with seals. I regularly put a clean set on, then clean the ones I have taken off for the next time :)
Pretty sure I had some o rings somewhere :)
 
Title: Re: Cam cover gaskets
Post by: Alnico Blue on 06 October 2019, 17:10:46
used victor Reinz last time I done mine . . around 18 months ago  . . .still no leaky  :y :y :y

So they get my vote  . . have used  Elring in the past   . . . absolute shi*e   with a capital S  >:( >:(
Title: Re: Cam cover gaskets
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 11 October 2019, 09:59:58
Tony, if you don’t get any success from whoever you’ve asked to do your belt / gaskets, i’ll Pop over and sort it FOC
Title: Re: Cam cover gaskets
Post by: Terbs on 11 October 2019, 18:46:49
James....I was going to pm you....you do know I am in Brackley now, don't you. And you can forget the FOC bit...… Watch your inbox, mate :)
Title: Re: Cam cover gaskets
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 11 October 2019, 19:51:57
James....I was going to pm you....you do know I am in Brackley now, don't you. And you can forget the FOC bit...… Watch your inbox, mate :)

I won’t take a penny

Brackley eh, I wonder if grumpyguts admin fancies some beer and curry.....
Title: Re: Cam cover gaskets
Post by: Terbs on 11 October 2019, 20:02:53
James....I was going to pm you....you do know I am in Brackley now, don't you. And you can forget the FOC bit...… Watch your inbox, mate :)

I won’t take a penny

Brackley eh, I wonder if grumpyguts admin fancies some beer and curry.....

 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Cam cover gaskets
Post by: Andy B on 11 October 2019, 21:38:46

 ...

Brackley eh, I wonder if grumpyguts admin fancies some beer and curry.....

Who's that?  ??? ???
 ::) ::)
Title: Re: Cam cover gaskets
Post by: TheBoy on 12 October 2019, 09:45:35
Brackley eh, I wonder if grumpyguts admin fancies some beer and curry.....
You've just got the grumps because I dug out that old photo of you and tunnie having an intimate moment and reposted it yesterday :P