Breather box: do they clog?

[Sir Tigger KC]

I think it's more likely your 2nd hand cam covers are out of shape than the breather box is clogged. 

[Webby the Bear]

Fair comment tig.

Is this warping imperceptible. Or are we talking warped like a vinyl left in the sun? I ask cos they looked fine!

[Sir Tigger KC]

I don't like the term ' Warped ' as it brings to mind a twisted plank of wood!    In my experience they tend to spread outwards so the long edges have a curve on them.

I'll get shot down in flames for this but I'm not convinced about the overtightening theory either....  .  . The bolt holes go through solid plastic and have metal inserts so I reckon they'd have to be seriously overtightened,  say 20 - 30 nm to do any damage.  I can't see nipping them up a bit would make much difference to be honest.   

I think the main cause of cam covers going pear shaped is age, hours used and heat. Not necessarily in that order. 

I await my ritual martyrdom.....         

[Sir Tigger KC]

Another theory is that people get so worried about overtightening the camcover bolts that they end up not doing them up enough.... 

[Doctor Gollum]

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!

One careful mechanic owner...

[Lazydocker]

If you've not cleaned the breather box then that's your problem

[Webby the Bear]

I cleaned the breather bridge,  throttle body,  drill bit down the big pipe on breather box and a pin down the smallest pipe on breather box.  Thatscwhat I've always done and never had box off to clean it 

[Sir Tigger KC]

I cleaned the breather bridge,  throttle body,  drill bit down the big pipe on breather box and a pin down the smallest pipe on breather box.  Thatscwhat I've always done and never had box off to clean it 

When I changed my headgaskets I took the breather box off expecting it to be full of crud, but it was fine and mine at the time had done about 228,000 miles.  I'd say if the pipes are clear and you can blow down them into the box then it should be OK. 

[Webby the Bear]

I cleaned the breather bridge,  throttle body,  drill bit down the big pipe on breather box and a pin down the smallest pipe on breather box.  Thatscwhat I've always done and never had box off to clean it 

When I changed my headgaskets I took the breather box off expecting it to be full of crud, but it was fine and mine at the time had done about 228,000 miles.  I'd say if the pipes are clear and you can blow down them into the box then it should be OK. 

Cheers tig et al.

I'm due to blow my breather box tomorrow when I can be arsed 

[Lazydocker]

I cleaned the breather bridge,  throttle body,  drill bit down the big pipe on breather box and a pin down the smallest pipe on breather box.  Thatscwhat I've always done and never had box off to clean it 

In that case it's unlikely to be the box

[Webby the Bear]

Cheers lazy. Then it's either warped covers, dodgy gaskets (BGA) or poor fitting by me. Or a a combination of the three.

In my defence I quadruple checked the half moon fitment on both covers (where they're leaking) and I used plenty of sealing jizm. I also used the best torque wrench I've ever used (borrowed from garage next door... Strap-on beepy type..... Very good but very expensive I imagine  ) so I'm rally struggling to see what if anything I've done wrong.

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Shite gaskets is my guess. 

[Webby the Bear]

Thanks mig. I like to think so as I did try my best. Just bizarre how it's like 4 days in and they leak.

Oh well as said I'll pay serek to do it and take me Ma round Cambridge for the day. For once actually use my day off to not work on cars!

[Lazydocker]

Thanks mig. I like to think so as I did try my best. Just bizarre how it's like 4 days in and they leak.

Oh well as said I'll pay serek to do it and take me Ma round Cambridge for the day. For once actually use my day off to not work on cars!

This is why the only ones recommended here until recently were expensive and from a dealer I still don't think 4 days is the quickest we've seen pattern ones fail

[Webby the Bear]

Thanks mig. I like to think so as I did try my best. Just bizarre how it's like 4 days in and they leak.

Oh well as said I'll pay serek to do it and take me Ma round Cambridge for the day. For once actually use my day off to not work on cars!

This is why the only ones recommended here until recently were expensive and from a dealer I still don't think 4 days is the quickest we've seen pattern ones fail

Really? Ok fair enough lol

In fairness to myself I was trying to find a cheap alternative. I just didn't think it'd be so quick.

I'll see what the rep form Vauxhall can do for me on the genuines