Very BIG oil leak

[New POD]

Car : 3.2 MV6 196K
Rocker Gaskets replaced last summer at about 183K with genuine parts. 
Proper cleaned out breather tubes on top of engine. .
Oil changed at 193K with genuine GM Fully Syth and Filter. (Cast Housing)

No leaks until 3 weeks ago.  Started small, I always check the oil before a long journey (and I do a lot of them) and I've been adding a bit more often but now on Thursday I had to top up after 100 miles into a Journey, and Then again 80 Miles later (on Sunday) and again this morning at 70 miles into a Journey, AND then another 70 miles this afternoon, and now 70 miles on it needs more. I calculate about 6 litres for about 450 miles.  That's a lot of rust proofing on the exhaust and lots of it on the floor.

I've not had it up on the ramps, (as Snow and rain and doesn't fit in my garage) but had it running and had a look at the filter housing area, and seems to be pouring down the back of the engine.

At first I wondered if the little wiring plug next to the Oil Filter Housing is likely to leak? but seems to be above that.  (Car is too low to see without ramps)



When the Rocker gaskets were leaking before it was all very slow.  Yes there was an advisory on the MOT, but nothing like this.

And it hasn't been leaking in at least 12K since I did them.

So what are we thinking ? 

[Bigron]

Oil filter gasket?

Ron.

[Nick W]

clean the entire area with some sort of degreaser, so you can see where the leak is. There are a number of potential causes on that part of the engine: either end of the filter housing(which are easily damaged by cack-handed mechanics), the crank sensor(highly unlikely), the oil cooler pipes and fittings, or even the cam cover gasket.

[Doctor Gollum]

My money would be on the gaskets being misfitted or warped covers coupled with sludged up breathers...

Might have been sealed adequately at the time of doing, but if the breather box at the back of the 135 head wasn't lifted and cleaned out, then they'll definitely be gunged up, especially if the journeys are short and the oil hasn't been changed in 12 months 

Would be enough pressure to pop a poorly fitted half moon at the back of the cams... Misfitting these will cause oil to pour out whilst running.

The good news is that these can be checked by feel... Expect what feels like a quarter inch lip all around each location... Any more/less and you've found your issue

[New POD]

My money would be on the gaskets being misfitted or warped covers coupled with sludged up breathers...

Might have been sealed adequately at the time of doing, but if the breather box at the back of the 135 head wasn't lifted and cleaned out, then they'll definitely be gunged up, especially if the journeys are short and the oil hasn't been changed in 12 months 

Would be enough pressure to pop a poorly fitted half moon at the back of the cams... Misfitting these will cause oil to pour out whilst running.

The good news is that these can be checked by feel... Expect what feels like a quarter inch lip all around each location... Any more/less and you've found your issue

Since Christmas, my use has been 100 miles on Monday, then 6 miles X 8 trips then 100 miles on Friday.  Plus a 450 mile around trip in Feb.  Don't tend to use at weekends.

Oil Changed every 6K and last time was 3K ago.  GM oil.

I shall check the Half moons.   

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

My money would also be on a half moon leaking. Not many other things will allow that much to escape.

[New POD]

Just had it on my little ramps. From what I can see without disassembling everything is that it seems to be coming from the Oil filter housing. 

[Doctor Gollum]

Sounds like you've slackened the retaining bolt when you last changed the filter. Guessing that it was bastid tight and the retaining pin on the casing has snapped off allowing it to unscrew.

As it is something that will happen again, best bet is to buy the threaded adapter and change to spin on.

Simply tightening the existing retainer won't stop it leaking as the seal on the back of the casting will be oppsed.

[New POD]

That is now the plan. 

[New POD]

Sounds like you've slackened the retaining bolt when you last changed the filter. Guessing that it was bastid tight and the retaining pin on the casing has snapped off allowing it to unscrew.

As it is something that will happen again, best bet is to buy the threaded adapter and change to spin on.

Simply tightening the existing retainer won't stop it leaking as the seal on the back of the casting will be oppsed.

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90579.msg1155460#msg1155460 

The adaptor is no longer stocked by any UK Vauxhall dealer 

If anyone knows where I can get one quickly (or even can measure the thread so I can have one made)

[Nick W]

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90579.msg1155460#msg1155460 

The adaptor is no longer stocked by any UK Vauxhall dealer 

If anyone knows where I can get one quickly (or even can measure the thread so I can have one made)

It probably wasn't ever stocked by any dealer, as it's hardly a wear part; I had to order both that I bought.


It's an  M18x1.5 thread, about 40mm long.


But even though I could make one, it simply isn't worth the time: LINK

[New POD]

Should have it from QED tomorrow THANKS 

[Automaticman]

Result 

[New POD]

Result 

A little premature. Result is when It's not leaking (much).

[Nick W]

Result 

A little premature. Result is when It's not leaking (much).

On a Vx V6, not leaking much is equivalent to airtight. They're filthy things normally.