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[mathewst]

I'm going to change cam cover gasket, but this time I'll put the original part thanks to Elite Pete, but have a question first.
I have to replace it for the third time witinin half a year, first two times were pattern gaskets both times done by a mechanic who knew the torque setting for the gasket.
So now goes the question...
What is more likely the problem, the lousy pattern gaskets or the rocker cover is somehow bent?
And another one, is the part (orcker cover) the same for 2.0 and 2.2 egines?
I got a part number (9 129 041) but not sure what rocker cover it is for

[tunnie]

combination of pattern gasket and over tightened cam cover bolts i would say

[mathewst]

I also thought the guy at the garage overtightened them but looks like he knew the torque settings.
The only other eyplanation would be that he didn't put the sealant on the arches

[pedroMV6]

AFAIK, only genuine GM gaskets seal properly - pattern ones don't.

Have the breather pipes been cleaned out?
This is the fundamental reason for the gaskets blowing - in the majority of cases.

[mathewst]

Yep the breather are clean, (done them 4 months ago)

[Matchless]

sealant needed in the corners where the front bearing caps meet the head and in th Ds at the back.
Tightening torque 8nm.
Check that the small breather spigot on the camcover is clear and that you can blow through the small breather pipe...if either is blocked the crankcase will pressurise and the camcover seal will leak.

[mathewst]

That pipe is clean, actually I placed a new one.
Do you mean it can be blocked on the cover and not the pipe?

[Matchless]

Oh yes.
Usual blockage is the cam cover spigot or the heated adaptor where it enters the manifold (or throttle body...depends on year).

[mathewst]

So I guess spigot would be the metal hole where the small hose is placed?
The blockage on throttle body would be that small hole inside the body?
I have no idea where the blockage would be for heated adaptor?

[Matchless]

Pull the small hose off the camcover and clean out the spigot (hole) in the camcover with a twist drill held in the fingers, I cant remember the size 4mm? but start small and work up to full size. The camcover and spigot is plastic not metal so dont be too rough with it.

Yours is a 2.2 so the breather connects to the throttle body, clean out the bit that the rubber pipe pushes on to, use a twist drill to clean out the main part then carb cleaner or thin wire + carb cleaner to clear the small hole inside.

On a 2.0 the breather hose connects to the bottom of the inlet manifold via an adaptor which is water heated, the heat stops it freezing up but also bakes any oily goo into a solid and blocks the drilling. Its a sod to get to and often snaps off if you try to unscrew it.

[mathewst]

Thanks for the info Matchless.
Breather are clean, will check that spigot when I have the time

[sneakypenguin]

a mate of mine has replaced his about 3 times in 3 months on his mv6, the last time he put genuine parts on and is running much better

[goonv6]

Its not just torquing them to the correct setting, you need to do this progressively in an opposing manner. As a rule of thumb, I use a little sealant two where it goes in the vertical plane (like the D shapes) I start with the centre 4 and screw them thumb tight (in opposing order) I then do the outers. I return to the middle and torque about half the recommended amount and the same on the outers finally repeating the process to final torque. Anal but I don't have leaky covers!
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