Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Pride and Joy on 23 June 2007, 12:54:12

Title: Spark Plugs
Post by: Pride and Joy on 23 June 2007, 12:54:12
Back again - having spent the last few months reading through all the brillians info on this site. Thought I'd do a bit of maintenance and seeing the only thing I haven't done so far is change the spark plugs - was done when I bought the car 9 months ago. Horror of horrors plugs 2 & 3 absolutley drenched in oil. Had no problems starting - but I have always thought the power was a bit low. Any advice would be greatly appreciated
Title: Re: Spark Plugs
Post by: TheBoy on 23 June 2007, 12:55:44
Cam gaskets. Replacement info in Maintenece Guides section. Clean breathers as well.
Title: Re: Spark Plugs
Post by: megaomega123 on 23 June 2007, 12:57:46
Rocker cover gaskets. Same old story. Mine have been leaking for a year and all plug wells fill up every 3 months or so. I have just purchased a baster to remove the oil again.
Plenty of how to's on here when it comes to changing them.
Title: Re: Spark Plugs
Post by: Pride and Joy on 23 June 2007, 12:57:52
thank you will have a read and sort out - did have horrible thought of piston ring seals etc.

Thanks again

Peter
Title: Re: Spark Plugs
Post by: TheBoy on 23 June 2007, 13:19:11
Quote
thank you will have a read and sort out - did have horrible thought of piston ring seals etc.

Thanks again

Peter
Its actually not a bad job, looks far more scary than it really is.  The passenger side can be fiddly, and an extra pair of hands to hold the loom out of the way helps...
Title: Re: Spark Plugs
Post by: mahony on 23 June 2007, 13:32:25
just done my cam gaskets on my 3.0 elite,not too difficult,just be meticulous when reassembling,clean up all traces of old sealent and make sure seal is located properly in cam cover,need a good selection of tools also,took me a day to do which also included cleaning out the breathers and replacing spark plugs.

ps, also only use geniune vauxhall gaskets.
Title: Re: Spark Plugs
Post by: Pride and Joy on 23 June 2007, 13:52:33
thanks for all your help everyone - have read the inst and will go and get the new gasket on Monday. Seems fairly straightforward. Still a bit worried about the plug electrodes been covered in oil though??

Thanks again all

Peter
Title: Re: Spark Plugs
Post by: mahony on 23 June 2007, 13:57:10
my plug leads where covered in oil too,just sprayed carb cleaner  on them and then dried  with kitchen roll.if the leads are kaput  you will soon know.
Title: Re: Spark Plugs
Post by: Pride and Joy on 23 June 2007, 14:01:43
no sorry the actual electrode at the tip of the plug - thought the oil must have been in the piston bore
Title: Re: Spark Plugs
Post by: TheBoy on 23 June 2007, 14:03:57
Quote
no sorry the actual electrode at the tip of the plug - thought the oil must have been in the piston bore
Was it the wells that had filled up with oil?

If so, I suspect some ran down plug when you removed them. Try to keep any oil out of the cylinders - the cats won't like it.
Title: Re: Spark Plugs
Post by: VX1 on 23 June 2007, 15:22:53
Quote
Quote
no sorry the actual electrode at the tip of the plug - thought the oil must have been in the piston bore
Was it the wells that had filled up with oil?

If so, I suspect some ran down plug when you removed them. Try to keep any oil out of the cylinders - the cats won't like it.

The cats don't like it, but it is fine all that will happen is you will get alot of blue smoke come from the exhaust no damage is caused just blue smoke. You can also use gasket sealant on the head as well, just smear some sealant around the head then replace the cam cover, bolt it down in the same way as you are bolting the head down in a spiral motion the will give an even join.
Title: Re: Spark Plugs
Post by: TheBoy on 23 June 2007, 15:40:31
Quote
Quote
Quote
no sorry the actual electrode at the tip of the plug - thought the oil must have been in the piston bore
Was it the wells that had filled up with oil?

If so, I suspect some ran down plug when you removed them. Try to keep any oil out of the cylinders - the cats won't like it.

The cats don't like it, but it is fine all that will happen is you will get alot of blue smoke come from the exhaust no damage is caused just blue smoke. You can also use gasket sealant on the head as well, just smear some sealant around the head then replace the cam cover, bolt it down in the same way as you are bolting the head down in a spiral motion the will give an even join.
Only use the sealant in places suggested in guide, not all the way round :)
Title: Re: Spark Plugs
Post by: Darth Loo-knee on 23 June 2007, 23:03:25
The eight Cam Cover Bolts have to be torqued to 8 nm, don't over tighten :y
Title: Re: Spark Plugs
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 23 June 2007, 23:06:43
Quote
an extra pair of hands to hold the loom out of the way helps...

Failing that - a cable tie works well..
Title: Re: Spark Plugs
Post by: ians on 23 June 2007, 23:09:01
We're talking 4 pot aren't we - so much simpler job. :)
Title: Re: Spark Plugs
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 23 June 2007, 23:13:11
Quote
We're talking 4 pot aren't we - so much simpler job. :)

oooooo yes, didn't see that...

In that case, peice of piddle...
Title: Re: Spark Plugs
Post by: Pride and Joy on 24 June 2007, 06:44:46
thanks again everyone. Will have a go next week after a visit to the dreaded dealer.

Peter
Title: Re: Spark Plugs
Post by: Dave-C on 24 June 2007, 07:55:01
Quote
Quote
thank you will have a read and sort out - did have horrible thought of piston ring seals etc.

Thanks again

Peter
Its actually not a bad job, looks far more scary than it really is.  The passenger side can be fiddly, and an extra pair of hands to hold the loom out of the way helps...


He's got a 2.2 TB..
DC
Title: Re: Spark Plugs
Post by: TheBoy on 24 June 2007, 09:28:12
Quote
Quote
Quote
thank you will have a read and sort out - did have horrible thought of piston ring seals etc.

Thanks again

Peter
Its actually not a bad job, looks far more scary than it really is.  The passenger side can be fiddly, and an extra pair of hands to hold the loom out of the way helps...


He's got a 2.2 TB..
DC
scrap it, get a proper one ;D
Title: Re: Spark Plugs
Post by: Pride and Joy on 24 June 2007, 09:29:54
 ;D would love to, if I could afford it

Title: Re: Spark Plugs
Post by: Pride and Joy on 30 June 2007, 08:08:01
hi guys - still not been able to do the job - all this rain. did go to the vx dealer - the spare parts guy is not a real lot of use. He wasn't sure which gasket it was for my model even though I supplied the engine number etc. Also the sealing compound they only have in tubs at around £8. Can i get another sealant from my local car DIY place - is so which do you recommend.
Title: Re: Spark Plugs
Post by: Dazzler on 30 June 2007, 10:16:38
Loctite make the black sealent as well, which should be available from your local motor factors, about £3 ;)
Title: Re: Spark Plugs
Post by: Pride and Joy on 06 July 2007, 16:31:57
Hi guys,

Still not got this sorted. Local VX idiot still cannot decide which gasket it is - he has ordered V0055558349 - can anyone tell me if this is correct. When he put my details in for the car it came up with the V6 gasket he thinks??. You wouldn't beleive that this is supposed to be a major dealer!
Title: Re: Spark Plugs
Post by: magnaman on 06 July 2007, 16:46:25
As it happens ive just got back from getting plugs changed 3 of the six wet with oil  so will be doing at weekend
Title: Re: Spark Plugs
Post by: spookyman60 on 06 July 2007, 16:58:33
i find the parts from a website a cant remember for the life of me the addy now but i always go to vauxhall with part numbers and that way they cant get it wrong also i use loctite black sealent its brilliant stuff
Title: Re: Spark Plugs
Post by: Pride and Joy on 06 July 2007, 17:42:33
still trying to find info - can anyone please show me what the gasket should look like - I have not yet stripped the cover off - well not till I have the bits??

I think the one that vx want me to have is the wrong one?

Many thanks
Title: Re: Spark Plugs
Post by: TheBoy on 06 July 2007, 19:07:59
GASKET, COVER TO CYLINDER HEAD    55558349 56 07 883 1  

So looks like right part :)

Title: Re: Spark Plugs
Post by: TheBoy on 06 July 2007, 19:12:59
Quote
can anyone please show me what the gasket should look like - I have not yet stripped the cover off - well not till I have the bits??
Item 5 below...

(http://images.omegaowners.com/images/theboy/odds/4potgasket.bmp)
Title: Re: Spark Plugs
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 06 July 2007, 19:17:46
And black goo is 90485251 comes in 50ml tube.....if you want the vx stuff  :)
Title: Re: Spark Plugs
Post by: Pride and Joy on 06 July 2007, 19:21:29
thanks guys - yes the part number is the same and yes the gasket does look like the one he showed me on the pc - but been a thicky - as the gasket runs round the outside how does that stop the oil getting into the sparkplug wells which are in the middle????

mine is a 4 cyl 2.2 :-[

is 50ml enough for the job??
Title: Re: Spark Plugs
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 06 July 2007, 19:23:25
Quote
thanks gus - yes the part number is the same and yes the gasket does look like the one he showed me on the pc - but been a thicky - as the gasket runs round the outside how does that stop the oil getting into the sparkplug wells which are in the middle????

mine is a 4 cyl 2.2 :-[

The gasket consists of more than is shown  :y
Title: Re: Spark Plugs
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 06 July 2007, 19:25:28
Quote
thanks guys - yes the part number is the same and yes the gasket does look like the one he showed me on the pc - but been a thicky - as the gasket runs round the outside how does that stop the oil getting into the sparkplug wells which are in the middle????

mine is a 4 cyl 2.2 :-[
is 50ml enough for the job??

Plenty  :y
Title: Re: Spark Plugs
Post by: TheBoy on 06 July 2007, 19:28:28
you only use a few blobs of sealent...
Title: Re: Spark Plugs
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 06 July 2007, 21:25:01
50 ml is more than enough and dont smear it all the way around the head, it can create more problems and tops the rubber seal maintining a constant pressure along the long runs. Just put it either side of the cam caps and on the corners of the half moon cut outs at the rear.
Title: Re: Spark Plugs
Post by: Pride and Joy on 06 July 2007, 23:59:02
Thanks guys,

Much appreciated all the help - have taken all on board. Will have a go on Wed - weather permitting.

Thanks again for all your help

Peter
Title: Re: Spark Plugs
Post by: Pride and Joy on 07 July 2007, 06:41:01
Just re read the amended version of the maintenance guide for doing the job. I assume that the reference to allen keys is the Torex on my model, but more importantly I missed the bit about "O" rings. Should I have ordered them with the gasket or do they come with it. If I need to order can you give me a part No so that I can ring them this morning.

Typical isn't - the sun is bloody shining - no rain - could have got the job done today - but no gasket till Wednesday. Bet you its Pi**ing down on Wed.

Thanks again  to all

Peter
Title: Re: Spark Plugs
Post by: Pride and Joy on 22 July 2007, 11:37:27
Still not had chance to do the job - got all the parts but the weather has been against me. Will let everyone know the outcome