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[Dingleberry]

Before i being the car in question is a 1998 2.5 V6 Elite

Ok so for a few weeks now ive noticed the Cam cover gaskets need changing, thinking i might get hold of metal vectra ones while im at it, anyway the Sealant im thinking of using is call loctite flange sealant   We use it at work to seal ships gearbox's (type 23's and 42's) so would it be good enough to use aswell as the gaskets ?

Next querie is today after getting back from work and parking up as i got out got the biggest plume of smoke ive seen whilst owning the car (burning oil) this confirmed the cam cover gaskets are shot, but also i found that the panel just in front of the crankshaft pulled was soaked in oil too ?!  :-/  could it be that ove blown the crank seal on the front ?

[hotel21]

As you say, sounds like the cam cover gaskets are shot, but also a very good chance that the breather system is blocked, thus forcing the leakage.  The leak at the front could well be the crankshaft seal although I'm led to believe that this normally happens if the breathers are blocked and the cam cover gaskets are oil tight.  The crankcase pressure has to go somewhere so if the breathers and covers are tight, next in line is the crank seal.

Suggest you follow the guide in the maintenance section, using only genuine VX gaskets, not aftermarket pattern ones, otherwise you will need to do them again in a few months.

As to metal covers from a Vectra, normally not needed.  Its an urban myth that the covers warp - leakage occurs because of pattern gaskets, blocked breathers and overtighning of the cam cover bolts.  It only needs eight NM which is not a lot.  Personally, would use the VX sealant rather than a snot to blanket type that allows no failsafe option...

[Dingleberry]

As you say, sounds like the cam cover gaskets are shot, but also a very good chance that the breather system is blocked, thus forcing the leakage.  The leak at the front could well be the crankshaft seal although I'm led to believe that this normally happens if the breathers are blocked and the cam cover gaskets are oil tight.  The crankcase pressure has to go somewhere so if the breathers and covers are tight, next in line is the crank seal.

Suggest you follow the guide in the maintenance section, using only genuine VX gaskets, not aftermarket pattern ones, otherwise you will need to do them again in a few months.

As to metal covers from a Vectra, normally not needed.  Its an urban myth that the covers warp - leakage occurs because of pattern gaskets, blocked breathers and overtighning of the cam cover bolts.  It only needs eight NM which is not a lot.  Personally, would use the VX sealant rather than a snot to blanket type that allows no failsafe option...

Top stuff cheers, looks like a job for the weekend  

[Kevin Wood]

The sealant you need is a sensor safe RTV such as loctite 598. Flange sealant sounds like it might be for metal to metal joints to me. :-/

Kevin

[feeutfo]

The sealant you need is a sensor safe RTV such as loctite 598. Flange sealant sounds like it might be for metal to metal joints to me. :-/

Kevin

Sadley last i heard 598 had been superseeded. Dont know the replacement number but it takes 7 days to fully go off. So not much of a replacement then.

When you do the cam covers, only use the sealent in the corners/round the cam half moon cut outs, where the seals could possibly leak(as opposed to blow). Dont be tempted to seal all the way round. You want the cover seals to blow if anything at all. NOT the crank seal. That jobs a real PITA.

[VXL V6]

Loctite 910 IIRC was the sealant used at the factory.

[Kevin Wood]

I have purchased a loctite product similar to this stuff recently so I will have a look at the tube. Had a feeling it was 598 but then again, a four digit number keeps stickign in my mind too.

Kevin

[Dingleberry]

Well this went from bad to worse this evening, havent used it all day was off over Markey marks to pick up a new interior in a different car. Anyway picked it up from a friends drove to get some petrol and a few other places when i got back it was smoking more than usual  :-/ so i popped the bonet open and it was on fire !!!!!   :-?

Luckily i managed to blow it out   looks like im taking the week off work  

[feeutfo]

possible damage caused by leaking cam covers,
Plugs, leads, dis pac, alternator, various rotten rubber hoses, and now Fire!
 Some mechanical sympathy for you i think...

[Dingleberry]

Cor blimey guv', just pulled the covers off and OMG ! plenum and inlet were sealed with silicone !!! and umm so were the covers, doesnt look like the gaskets were changed at all since it was last done !!!