Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: tidla on 26 April 2010, 16:22:08

Title: gm gaskets...
Post by: tidla on 26 April 2010, 16:22:08
if they are that good, why do they leak in the first place.new sealants on the market must be better than original spec gm sealant?? :-?
Title: Re: gm gaskets...
Post by: tunnie on 26 April 2010, 16:24:48
assuming your talking about cam cover gaskets, blocked breathers, poor oil change servicing, rubber goes hard with age (oo err!) - so leaks!

My cam cover gasket lasted 8 years and 100k  :)

Second one done 40k in 2 years, no sign of any leaks.
Title: Re: gm gaskets...
Post by: Elite Pete on 26 April 2010, 16:27:53
When you consider the youngest Omega will be at least 7 years old will more than likely have covered alot of miles and unless in the hand of a capable diy mechanic probably only serviced once in a blue moon and then add in the enviroment there in I don't think they do too badly ;)
Title: Re: gm gaskets...
Post by: tidla on 26 April 2010, 16:36:19
point taken about the gaskets, sealants must have improved from original spec gm? the operating temps on some sealants i have looked at are 600 degree.
Title: Re: gm gaskets...
Post by: Kevin Wood on 26 April 2010, 16:43:51
Remember the sealant is only there to block the areas where the rubber gasket has to run over a tight corner. As said, rubber gaskets deteriorate with age, heat and exposure to oil and combustion products.

Throw in a blocked breather so the crank case pressurises and it will start to leak. Normally the leak is from the gasket not the areas where sealant is applied IME.

Kevin
Title: Re: gm gaskets...
Post by: feeutfo on 27 April 2010, 10:49:58
also consider the dangers of totally sealing the cam covers. If the breathers block, as they will do if not cleaned at least every 2 years, the only place for crank pressure to escape is the crank seals, and if it happens to be the rear crank seal, as happened on Mats 3.2, then the gear box has to come off to fix it.

Stick to the recommended fix as the guide.

But i do take your point, its an issue in on most cars, not just Omegas.