Breather box: do they clog?

[Webby the Bear]

Hi guys.

Did my cc gaskets last week. Already leaking. Pretty Gutted as it was a horrible job lol

Now I cleaned the breathers real good after doing gaskets. And even tho I used pattern gaskets (don't berate me, I was trying different ones out) I am amazed that they leaked so quickly.

Fitment was quadruple checked and all half moons sitting in place. Also torqued bolts to 8nm.

Before I go back and redo these with proper gaskets from Vauxhall (yep going to bite the bullet!) is it possible my breather box is clogged causing excess pressure irrespective of how clean breather bridge is and two pipes coming out of breather box are clear?

Your thoughts please

[Andy H]

Yes they can.

I replaced the breather box on my last Omega because it was full of crap.

I think I have a photo of the inside of the blocked one somewhere..........

[X30XE]

Remove oil cap while running. That'll tell you if mild vacuum present. Possible warped plastic cam covers.

[Webby the Bear]

Thanks guys. Is it a pig to remove and strip down for cleaning?

I fitted non warped ones second hand cos I thought mine were warped. Only real way of doing this is to get brand new covers and vx gaskets. And replace breather box for good measure.

Can't wait 😩😩😩😩

[Andy H]

Thanks guys. Is it a pig to remove and strip down for cleaning?

I fitted non warped ones second hand cos I thought mine were warped. Only real way of doing this is to get brand new covers and vx gaskets. And replace breather box for good measure.

Can't wait 😩😩😩😩

I did mine with the engine on a stand and the heads off. I reckon you might struggle but it shouldn't be much worse than changing the ignition coils on a pre-facelift

[Andy H]

Just a thought - did you clean out the pilot hole in the small spigot connection on the breather box?

[X30XE]

There's something in the maintenance section about this I'm sure. I remember cleaning mine. 

remember not to enlarge the pilot hole or it will suck to much air and breathe oil yada yada..

[YZ250]

Thanks guys. Is it a pig to remove and strip down for cleaning?

I fitted non warped ones second hand cos I thought mine were warped. Only real way of doing this is to get brand new covers and vx gaskets. And replace breather box for good measure.

Can't wait 😩😩😩😩

Access is tight but quite do-able. The heat shield gets in the way of one of the bolts but you can just bend it out of the way.    I replaced my breather box, they ain't cheap so worth cleaning first. More annoying for me was, I bought a new one in anticipation of it being clogged but when removed it was as clean as a whistle.    I gave it to Chris Gixer, who I believe fitted it on to his car, hence the addition to Mark's maintenance guide. 

[biggriffin]

Andy c, did a full guide on, dismantling the breather box.

[Webby the Bear]

Thanks for all ya help guys.

Is that 4 e-torx bold holding it on? And I presume there's a gasket underneath between box and block?

[Diamond Black Geezer]

Believe so. If you like I'm hoping to get to a scrap V6 this weekend, to nab the breather box off it. Strip down, clean it, reassemble (will need a hole tapping and a suitable machine screw to hold it all together) that way I can - in theory - swap them at breather-cleaning time, so I know they system is super-clear. That's the theory, let's wait for the practice.... 

as you observe, I'd imagine there's a gasket which will require replacement, no idea if a sheet of card will suffice or has to be something a bit better than that.

[biggriffin]

Thanks for all ya help guys.

Is that 4 e-torx bold holding it on? And I presume there's a gasket underneath between box and block?

Gm grey sealent.

[Kevin Wood]

I wouldn't take the breather box off before confirming that it's blocked. Remove the oil filler cap and try blowing down each of the 2 pipes into the box to see if it's clear. Bear in mind that the small one has a narrow hole into the box, so it'll be very restricted. If you can blow into the crankcase through both, then no need to remove the box.

As said, remove the smaller hose and poke something through the hole to make sure it's clear too.

I always squirt a bit of carb cleaner down both breathers whenever I take them off just to help dissolve any buildup in there.

It really shouldn't be a problem on a car that has regular oil changes.

[neil74]

The breathers on my first omega KB52 BXC were clogged full of gloop when I bought. and on X644 PKH were a little mucky. but on VN51 EAK they were spotless when I bought it and still are now after nearly 6000 miles and two oil changes.

[Webby the Bear]

Thanks guys.

So oil filler cap off. Blow down each tube. Got it 

If it's not that and I just need genuine cc gaskets I might pay Serek to do it cos quite frankly I can't be arsed after working on motors all day!