Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: miggy on 02 November 2007, 01:23:41

Title: cam cover gaskets
Post by: miggy on 02 November 2007, 01:23:41
Dont know if this should be here or in general chat.

Anyway, i see lots of threads relating to cam cover gaskets, what are the tell tail signs that says they need changing, is it something that is done par for course every so often.
It would be interesting to know what to look for.

 :y :y
Title: Re: cam cover gaskets
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 02 November 2007, 01:43:30
If you pull a plug lead (or in your case a coil pack - easy enough), you will see some traces of oil on the end of the lead if there is a leak into the plug wells.

Other signs are, a "smell" of oil when the car is hot, and in worse cases, oil collecting lower down on the engine.

Another sign that the "o" rings in the camcovers are failing, is a seeping of oil from the camcover bolts

They don't need changing if there are no signs of leaks - but it's always worth keeping the breathers clear.

Blocked breathers cause increased crankcase pressure, which in turn blows the cam cover gaskets, so cleaning breathers is a must if you want the gaskets to last.
Title: Re: cam cover gaskets
Post by: miggy on 02 November 2007, 17:29:05
Quote
If you pull a plug lead (or in your case a coil pack - easy enough), you will see some traces of oil on the end of the lead if there is a leak into the plug wells.

Other signs are, a "smell" of oil when the car is hot, and in worse cases, oil collecting lower down on the engine.

Another sign that the "o" rings in the camcovers are failing, is a seeping of oil from the camcover bolts

They don't need changing if there are no signs of leaks - but it's always worth keeping the breathers clear.
Blocked breathers cause increased crankcase pressure, which in turn blows the cam cover gaskets, so cleaning breathers is a must if you want the gaskets to last.

Thanks for that James, i take it the breathers are the small tubes etc that run from the plenims.

 
Title: Re: cam cover gaskets
Post by: ians on 02 November 2007, 18:07:53
There is a very comprehensive How To by Ronnie McB regarding cleaning breathers.
Title: Re: cam cover gaskets
Post by: sophos9 on 02 November 2007, 21:15:04
Tell tale signs....

In my case, oil leaking down the passenger side cylinder head straight onto the manifold and burning, smells great first thing in the morning!! After getting it through an MOT (new exhaust, brake lines) I went to Vx and stroked their palm with some cash - in return they gave me some black sealant, 8 seals and the cylinder cover gaskets. Am doing it tomorrow, alongside fitting a new radiator to my bike, sorting a barge coolant leak etc etc....  :-/
Title: Re: cam cover gaskets
Post by: Kev on 02 November 2007, 21:22:55
Quote
Dont know if this should be here or in general chat.

Anyway, i see lots of threads relating to cam cover gaskets, what are the tell tail signs that says they need changing, is it something that is done par for course every so often.
It would be interesting to know what to look for.

 :y :y

The spots of oil all over my drive are also a dead giveaway.  ::)
Title: Re: cam cover gaskets
Post by: MutantCav on 02 November 2007, 21:27:56
Vectra Metal Cam Covers are also good to use as a replacement...better fit and stronger and pretty much eliminates this problem in future...have a set on the V6 I'm scrapping. Looks better too!
Title: Re: cam cover gaskets
Post by: sophos9 on 03 November 2007, 19:40:58
I replaced the passenger side cam cover gasket today, looks like previous fitters did not seal the half-moons (no visible sealant) and all the other areas were a light brown colour (wrong sealant?)

Anyway, I did not start the car up as not sure if there is a 'curing' time for the sealant, will it be ok tomorrow?

Cheers!
Title: Re: cam cover gaskets
Post by: Jay w on 03 November 2007, 22:52:11
Quote
Vectra Metal Cam Covers are also good to use as a replacement...better fit and stronger and pretty much eliminates this problem in future...have a set on the V6 I'm scrapping. Looks better too!

only thing to remember is that the oil filler location is different and does require a longer filler neck/funnel