Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: LC0112G on 20 November 2011, 20:55:32

Title: Rocker Cover Help
Post by: LC0112G on 20 November 2011, 20:55:32
Guys n Gals,

I attempted a rocker cover gasket change today, and failed. I'm beginning to think this car hates me. I managed to get all the gaskets locally (yes genuine Vx).After two hour of cursing I'd got both rocker covers off. Many thanks to all those who contributed to the OOF guides. However, I still haven't worked out how to get the trumpets out without using excessive force. They're out - but what a pfaff.

Then I started to clean up the rocker covers. At first I thought there weren't any gaskets at all, what with the amount of silicone sealant everywhere. Then I unearthed the groove the gasket sits in, and there it was - brittle as anything. I was starting to feel I'd found the problem. Pulled all the bits of gasket out and continued cleaning out the sealant. Then - bugger.

The grove the gasket sits in is cracked and split on both rocker covers. On the drivers side, the outer lip is completely missing for about 10cm. On the passenger side, it's the inner lip on one of the front corners. I'm reluctant to re-use either rocker cover, because I think the gasket will slip out of the grove in the affected places.

On the plus side, I cleaned up all the breathers. As far as I could tell they weren't blocked. Only a small amount of sludge in the big breather, and next to nothing in the plenium cover ducts.

I think I'm going to need a new pair of rocker covers. I don't have 250 posts on here, so can't put an ad in your parts wanted section. I realise I'm bending the rules, bit has anyone got a good pair of undamaged rocker covers just lying about anywhere? If I have to I'll go to Vauxhall, but I'm betting that I'll get raped. p/n are

90501638 Cover, Cylinder Head, RH
90501637 Cover, Cylinder Head, LH

Cheers,
Malcolm
Title: Re: Rocker Cover Help
Post by: TheBoy on 20 November 2011, 20:59:54
Post a wanted add in Test, one of us will move it for you :y
Title: Re: Rocker Cover Help
Post by: RobseyMV6 on 20 November 2011, 21:02:32
Have a pair here, will send you a pm  :y
Title: Re: Rocker Cover Help
Post by: woodoo on 20 November 2011, 21:16:52
Just use metal rocker covers from V6 Vectra B. They fit almost perfectly and you can get them really cheap. The only difference is oil filing point. It gives little problems when you changing oil, but it is joke compared to plastic rocker covers problems.
Title: Re: Rocker Cover Help
Post by: albitz on 20 November 2011, 21:23:29
Bad advice Im afraid. ;)
Title: Re: Rocker Cover Help
Post by: Entwood on 20 November 2011, 21:26:08
Just use metal rocker covers from V6 Vectra B. They fit almost perfectly and you can get them really cheap. The only difference is oil filing point. It gives little problems when you changing oil, but it is joke compared to plastic rocker covers problems.

NO, NO, NO, NO, NO .... do I make myself clear ... NO

Steel covers can and will lead to major, major problems. If the breather system is not cleaned and blocks up they WILL cause a crank seal to blow.

DO NOT EVEN CONSIDER THIS

Just my views .. nowt else .. :)
Title: Re: Rocker Cover Help
Post by: fiend61 on 20 November 2011, 21:26:50
Quote
Just use metal rocker covers from V6 Vectra B

NO NO NO  >:( >:( >:(
the camcover gaskets go due to the breather system being gunked up and the gaskets are the weak link, if you put vec metal ones on you could possibly blow the crank seal !!!!!
i know which i would sooner replace  :y
Title: Re: Rocker Cover Help
Post by: fiend61 on 20 November 2011, 21:28:10
not just your opinion entwood  :y
Title: Re: Rocker Cover Help
Post by: woodoo on 20 November 2011, 21:33:55
Cleaned breather system 5 years ago, fitted Vectra rocker covers. I left car for my brother and it still runs and no issues with them.  ::) Maybe i was lucky  :)
Title: Re: Rocker Cover Help
Post by: fiend61 on 20 November 2011, 22:11:34
Quote
fitted Vectra rocker covers. I left car for my brother and it still runs and no issues with them

maybe your brother keeps the breather system clean  :y
but as said can cause the crank seals to blow which is a pig of a job  ;)
Title: Re: Rocker Cover Help
Post by: LC0112G on 20 November 2011, 22:27:38
Crikey - that was a quick response. I suppose you all must have just finished watching X Factor and were just checking your emails before bedtime  ;D

Anyhow, I'll pop into the Vx stealer on the way to work tomorrow and get a price just for a laugh. Then I'll deal with Robsey's PM and/or put a request in Test.

Cheers
Malcolm

Oops - Just read the PM's Its a 2001 Y reg 3.0 V6 Elite.
Title: Re: Rocker Cover Help
Post by: fiend61 on 20 November 2011, 22:29:28
Quote
X Factor

you have got to be kidding  >:( >:( >:(
Title: Re: Rocker Cover Help
Post by: Andy B on 20 November 2011, 22:37:59
Crikey - that was a quick response. I suppose you all must have just finished watching X Factor and were just checking your emails before bedtime  ;D .....
Cheers
Malcolm

Oops - Just read the PM's Its a 2001 Y reg 3.0 V6 Elite.

Just realised who you are ..............  ;) ;) and we don't do Eurovision either  ;) ;) ;) :y
Title: Re: Rocker Cover Help
Post by: fiend61 on 21 November 2011, 08:24:46
Quote
and we don't do Eurovision either
or
pratts dancing---pratts in jungle----pratts on horses------pratts on ice-----pratts in a house----pratts dining------etc etc etc
why cant they do decent programs anymore ???????  :o
Title: Re: Rocker Cover Help
Post by: TheBoy on 21 November 2011, 08:49:09
Just use metal rocker covers from V6 Vectra B. They fit almost perfectly and you can get them really cheap. The only difference is oil filing point. It gives little problems when you changing oil, but it is joke compared to plastic rocker covers problems.
I'm afraid all that does is move the problem to a different place, usually one of the crank seals.

Done properly, with the correct parts, the standard one will last far longer than the 5yrs you have had so far ;)
Title: Re: Rocker Cover Help
Post by: LC0112G on 21 November 2011, 09:57:52
Hmm, not as bad as I thought. I've been given the price of £90.26 per rocker cover by the local Vx dealer. AIUI, this includes the gaskets, so the "real" price is about £60 each. Second hand ones seem to be £25-35 each (eBay etc) Given the agrivation factor this job entails, I think I'm going to shell out what Vx want.

Cheers,
Malcolm 

PS - I take it you don't want my Eutovision tips then. I think a certain RB is £300 notes up after the Lordi tip  ;D
Title: Re: Rocker Cover Help
Post by: Elite Pete on 21 November 2011, 10:02:04
I think i've got a pair of cam covers that you can have for £20 posted only problem is i'm not at my garage until Thursday to make sure :(
Title: Re: Rocker Cover Help
Post by: Elite Pete on 21 November 2011, 10:15:01
I'd just like to add that if excessive sealant was used on the cam covers, I would remove the sump and give the oil pick up a good clean out :y
Title: Re: Rocker Cover Help
Post by: LC0112G on 21 November 2011, 10:33:51
I'd just like to add that if excessive sealant was used on the cam covers, I would remove the sump and give the oil pick up a good clean out :y

Yes - This job started out 3 weeks ago as a "simple" service. However, I soon discovered "oil cooled" spark plugs. Since then every job on this car has been a nightmare - wishbones, ATF fluid & filter replace etc. Even the $^£% air filter box picked a fight with me - one of the screws is stripped and refused to budge and it took about 3 hours to replace the air filter. And I've still to jack up the rear and have a go at the fuel filter.

I'm also wondering wheter to replace the oil cooler whilst the engine is in bits. The header tank is clean, but the cooler looks original to me. The CTS sensor looks old too. But where do you stop? I expect it'll need a cam belt soon too. It's also got a noisey cannister purge pump and non functioning sat nav again. Still can't get the NCD2013 out, and needs two front tyres. Oh, and it needs a wash - but then those who know me will realise that's standard   ;D

Cheers,
Malcolm
Title: Re: Rocker Cover Help
Post by: 2woody on 22 November 2011, 14:35:43
I'm at Bovington at the minute Malc, want me to pop up one night and give you a hand ?

Stu
Title: Re: Rocker Cover Help
Post by: LC0112G on 22 November 2011, 15:48:05
I'm at Bovington at the minute Malc, want me to pop up one night and give you a hand ?

Stu

TBH Stu, there's not a lot that can be done untill Vx cough up some parts. Might be tomorrow, or Thursday - I only get stuff ordered on a Stock Order, coz it's cheaper that way. I wasn't really planning to do much till the Weekend, but that wight get bu99ered up by the Brazilian GP - not sure what time the TV coverage is (all of it, not just the race).

However, if you're offering to come over and do an Autoectomy, or better still, give the car it's yearly wash and polish  ;D
Title: Re: Rocker Cover Help
Post by: 2woody on 22 November 2011, 16:56:35
I drive home thursday night, so could come over tomorrow evening if you have bits.

Then I'm back on 6th December until 16th.

I do have spare cam covers at home and other bits including transmission if required.
Title: Re: Rocker Cover Help
Post by: Andy B on 22 November 2011, 18:16:21
....... Oh, and it needs a wash - but then those who know me will realise that's standard   ;D

Cheers,
Malcolm

You do have a reputation to live up to.  ;D ;D ;D