Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Terry_Seyforth on 29 April 2009, 17:18:25

Title: omega 2.6 rocker cover
Post by: Terry_Seyforth on 29 April 2009, 17:18:25
Hi I think my rocker cover gasket might be leaking, when you lift the bonnet you get smoke from the left side just around the manifild, I have tightened it once and it seemed to do the trick for a while, but has started again, my question is it a hard job to replace, I am not bad at most things and have dabbled with cars, is there a prefered place to but the gasket, I saw one on ebay new for about 18 pounds, how much do they cost ?   Thanks.   Oh is this a usual thing to happen on these engines ?
 :-/
Title: Re: omega 2.6 rocker cover
Post by: 3.2omegaestate on 29 April 2009, 17:42:36
Unfortunately rocker cover gaskets on the V6 are common items to replace.

Experience on here shows that the only way to go is buy genuine GM items from a main dealer or in the OOF shop if there's stock. I don't think there is though at the moment

There is a how to do on here

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1152564281

click the link and all will become clear.

The reason for them failing I beleve is due to a blocked crankcase  breather system from shortish run etc and the build up that results. By all accounts frequent oil changes (6k miles) not the 20 k that Vx state as a service interval may help as well.

HTH
Title: Re: omega 2.6 rocker cover
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 29 April 2009, 18:48:24
Common being every 7-8 years or 100K miles.....
Title: Re: omega 2.6 rocker cover
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 29 April 2009, 18:48:57
Unless due to poor servicing the breather get blocked and blow the seals
Title: Re: omega 2.6 rocker cover
Post by: Elite Pete on 29 April 2009, 19:32:04
Quote
Hi I think my rocker cover gasket might be leaking, when you lift the bonnet you get smoke from the left side just around the manifild, I have tightened it once and it seemed to do the trick for a while, but has started again, my question is it a hard job to replace, I am not bad at most things and have dabbled with cars, is there a prefered place to but the gasket, I saw one on ebay new for about 18 pounds, how much do they cost ?   Thanks.   Oh is this a usual thing to happen on these engines ?
 :-/
Don't over tighten them, they should only be 8nm if you over tighten you stand the chance of warping the cam covers.
Title: Re: omega 2.6 rocker cover
Post by: Terry_Seyforth on 30 April 2009, 11:35:50
bring back the old cars, nothing in the way of the rocker cover, this looks a nightmare to do, as for the blocked ports link, it looks like a engine dismantle, help grrrrrrrrrrrrr. thanks for you replies,  :'(
Title: Re: omega 2.6 rocker cover
Post by: Andy B on 30 April 2009, 11:55:02
Quote
bring back the old cars, nothing in the way of the rocker cover, ......

 ..... with 2 studs in the head and a couple of nuts holding the rocker cover at the top so there's no pressure on the gasket which allows oils passed it down the side of the head?  ;)  ;)  ;)  ;) :y :y
Title: Re: omega 2.6 rocker cover
Post by: tomoco on 30 April 2009, 14:33:55
If you've never taken the plenum off it can look a bit scary, but if you take your time and do things in order it's a straight forward job. Like the guys and girls on here say, always use genuine VX parts (the pattern one's tend to go hard after a short time and start to leak again)
 You'll end up having to do them again. At the start of the 'How to' there is a list of all the parts you need. I got the full kit from the OOF shop (everything you need in one bag) :y :y
Title: Re: omega 2.6 rocker cover
Post by: Terry_Seyforth on 01 May 2009, 17:37:03
sorry whats the oof shop ?

I think I will have a go, I will need a torque wrench it seems.
Just a thought lately my car has had problem starting, it starts then cuts out, you cant start it straight away or it will just turn over without firing, I have to wait about 2 mins, then it may start, sometimes on the third/fourth attempt. when it is running it seems fine, and it always starts after i have stopped at the shops eg,  could this be related to the blocked breathers, that are related to the leaking oil out of the rocker cover, any ideas, I will clean all breathers when I do the rocker cover, all be it Im not sure where they are. I will have to print the link you have given me and go step by step. Thanks
Title: Re: omega 2.6 rocker cover
Post by: feeutfo on 01 May 2009, 20:07:30
starting issues sounds a bit crank sensor ish. Try the paper clip test here,  http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1189022687
If you get 19 fit genuine only.

Not ALL parts should be replaced with genuine, but certainly for your current issues. Sensors and cam cover gaskits defo, vx oil and plugs are cheapest and best. Wishbones are massivly over priced as are exhausts now they have moved to cheaper build quality where as they where good valve before by all accounts. Discs and pad sets are also said to be best over all value i beleive...? Last i hurd anyway. :-)
Title: Re: omega 2.6 rocker cover
Post by: Bent valve on 01 May 2009, 20:32:36
Quote
bring back the old cars, nothing in the way of the rocker cover, this looks a nightmare to do, as for the blocked ports link, it looks like a engine dismantle, help grrrrrrrrrrrrr. thanks for you replies,  :'(


The v6 engine does look quite complex compared to something like an old triumph Herald engine, but don't despair they are quite easy to work on.

You will need a good set of Torx bits / sockets as well as your normal hand tools to do the cam cover gaskets. Just take your time and its a  doddle  :)
Title: Re: omega 2.6 rocker cover
Post by: Terry_Seyforth on 03 May 2009, 12:31:21
I have done the test for codes but unfortunetly the only code that appears is the code for the Immobiliser No Or Wrong Signal Immobiliser , I removed the siren/alarm from under the wiper casing some time ago as the battery wasnt holding any charge, I think this is for the removal of the battery. so I havent got any codes to report, I went to the shops this morning and it done the same thing, started then cut out , then waited then it started, this also happened when I came out of the shop.  :'(
Title: Re: omega 2.6 rocker cover
Post by: djdaveyp85 on 03 May 2009, 14:18:20
I don't think its unheard of for the crank sensor not to give a code when its failing, sure i've read that here before.
Title: Re: omega 2.6 rocker cover
Post by: Terry_Seyforth on 04 May 2009, 01:43:14
does anyone know where the crank sensor is situated, do I have to change this when I change the rocker cover gaskets ?
Title: Re: omega 2.6 rocker cover
Post by: MikeDundee on 04 May 2009, 08:15:30
The crank sensor is at the back of the engine, not sure of exact , location as mine has been re-routed and sits under the scuttle tray on passenger side now.
Title: Re: omega 2.6 rocker cover
Post by: Terry_Seyforth on 17 May 2009, 17:55:51
hi i have replaced the rocker cover gaskets, gasket rings sealant £55 that was trade from a friend, still quite dear for what it is, but better safe than sorry.
My question is while replacing all hoses,elecricts, I have noticed at the back there was a hose about half inch think,black quite hard, but cant see where it is ment to be, didnt take it off anything ?, is it a breather from something that doesnt attach to anything, I have started the car and nothing comes out of it ?

The other thing is they supplied green sealant, and was told not to use green use black, I have had to use it as didnt have any black, will it be ok ?
Title: Re: omega 2.6 rocker cover
Post by: Bumbazor on 17 May 2009, 18:03:57
Should really have been black. I don't know what differences green (or grey) sealant gives but black is best.

Also, were the gaskets geniune VX?
Title: Re: omega 2.6 rocker cover
Post by: albitz on 17 May 2009, 18:15:03
The pipe you mention is the gearbox breather pipe nothing too worry about. :y
A bit worried about not using the black sealant though,you may find that you get another leak sometime soon.Did the breathers get cleaned out while the gaskets were being changed? if not the same thing will happen again.
Are you still having trouble with starting?
Title: Re: omega 2.6 rocker cover
Post by: Terry_Seyforth on 17 May 2009, 19:56:58
I forgot to ask the guy who works for a accident repair company to get black, cross fingers and hope it doesnt leak.

I did clean through the breather section on top with the four pipes connected, a lot of crap came out, also the y pipe, and the two spiggots at top back left, one wasnt to bad but the one with the pin whole seemed quite blocked, I cleaned it best I could.

I did notice that the original gaskets were quite hard and the little ring seals were breaking of as I took them out, had gone brittle.

Im not sure if I cleaned all breather sections but I did clean most of what I could get to.

As for the starting, the car did start straight away, about four times, but when I went to the shops it played up again, didnt start,waited then it did start. it didnt seem as bad but I oviously still have this problem.

I will have to find out just where the crank sensor is so if it needs changing I can do this.

I did notice also that under the fuel inlet section, the section you take off above the oil cooler head, the little push on electrical connection was loose, I tightened it,not sure what it does, the electrical lead slids onto this small roung disc.

Thanks for replying.  :)  oh yes all parts were from vauxhall. £55 trade discount.