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[Andy B]

Today the Omega went into the Protyre garage at 0835, and came back out at 0930, with the two track rod assemblies, offside and nearside, fitted, along with the tracking done.  All within the 1 hour stated by the manager in his quote.  Excellent!!

For a total of £188 I have had the two track rod assemblies fitted, when the Vx dealer quoted £319.20 for fitting just the offside track rod end!  So a great result, which gets rid of two potential advisors come the next MOT and beyond.

Last time I checked Vx wanted around £140 p/h before they would let a spotty youth loose on my car. They don't really want to work on old cars.

Merc want about £170 just for them to 'diagnose' the fault before they even start work on your car ..... even when you tell them what the fault is!

[Lizzie Zoom]

Officially they've been unavailable for about 12 years.

The V6 was used in several GM products including Cadillac and Saab so parts are somewhat available, but you need to be pretty imaginative when it comes to sourcing them. Especially when the part number provided has been superceded a few times.

Tell me about it!
So often I go on web sites, including those in the USA, and they recognise the part number and description, the (American & European) GM cars that they are for, but then tell me "out of stock"!!   

[johnnydog]

Here you go Lizzie - if you don't mind the price!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/145887884234?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=eX9M6lIaS46&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=GCEcaYdASwi&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Christ ! I have a new spare in the shed. I think I might lock it in a safe now. 

[Doctor Gollum]

If you need one for the car to run remotely decently then that's easily a price worth paying.

[Lizzie Zoom]

Here you go Lizzie - if you don't mind the price!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/145887884234?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=eX9M6lIaS46&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=GCEcaYdASwi&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Thanks for that Jonnydog, much appreciated

I have sourced one from a lovely, generous OOF member that will keep the Omega going.  I thank you for taking the trouble to look for this, apparently now very precious part, but I will give this a miss at over £32!

Another complication is that this private seller, in Germany (where else!!), may not post to the UK.  Maybe after contact they will, but after selling five already, I will probably be wasting my time, and theirs.   

[Lizzie Zoom]

Just a thought..............................is there anyone who can, or knows someone, who can fabricate these top head gaskets/seals?

With 893 Omega's taxed in the UK alone, all needing this part, it could be a worthwhile project.

[Doctor Gollum]

They only need them if they're disturbed.

They get baked in place and are fine if the breather bridge is left alone.

People wrongly presume that the breather bridge needs to be removed from the plenum to do other work. At which point it WILL need to be replaced.

[Lizzie Zoom]

They only need them if they're disturbed.

They get baked in place and are fine if the breather bridge is left alone.

People wrongly presume that the breather bridge needs to be removed from the plenum to do other work. At which point it WILL need to be replaced.

That's good advice DG

Personally though, when I clean the breather system, as I did the other week, I always take off the bridge to blow through it with carb cleaner.  Should I leave it on in future to save the top head gasket?

[Doctor Gollum]

Now you've disturbed it, if you start getting rough idling then it's got to be one of the first places to look.

When the breather cleaning advice was written, the seals were available off the shelf at most any VX dealer for about a quid.

[Lizzie Zoom]

Now you've disturbed it, if you start getting rough idling then it's got to be one of the first places to look.

When the breather cleaning advice was written, the seals were available off the shelf at most any VX dealer for about a quid.

Thanks again!

Yes, if only we could turn back the clock.  I dread to think of how many of these gaskets I changed over the years!!

[Lizzie Zoom]

Just a thought........................................can the gasket be repaired; that is the top cross over part which usually ends up broken on one side, be stuck into place with cam cover gasket black goo?

[Doctor Gollum]

If it doesn't set up correctly, you run the risk of blocking up the breather ports.

[Lizzie Zoom]

If it doesn't set up correctly, you run the risk of blocking up the breather ports.

That’s true DG

Oh well, back to trying to find other supplies to last for the rest of my Omega’s life, and mine!!!   

[Lizzie Zoom]

Thanks to the great generosity of OOF member Baza, I have now been able fit a brand new top hat gasket/seal onto the breather bridge.

I have extracted the old one, which I show below:



As usual the top section has disconnected from one side, and I aim to fix this as I certainly will not be chucking it away!!!
I am wondering though how to repair it.  As it appears made of plastic, perhaps a good super glue that is heat resistant will do the job? Gorilla Glue or similar  I'm thinking, but any thoughts?
Don't want to damage it further, so will not be rushing into it.  Plenty of time on my hands!