Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Tick Tock on 30 January 2013, 19:14:20

Title: Oil in plug wells - leaking cam cover gaskets
Post by: Tick Tock on 30 January 2013, 19:14:20
Don't be fooled by service history claiming cam cover gaskets have been replaced.

My faithful ebay £300 Omega Estate workhorse has just failed its MOT test, and I've rectified the worn track rod end and number plate lamp problem. The wire had broken off the spade terminal inside the back of the tailgate, and after removing inside tailgate cover found cause of the problem.

I knew the cam cover gaskets were about to expire due to the smoke coming from under the bonnet (oil dripping onto exhaust manifold shields), but the MOT test station actually stated that the car was in a dangerous condition to drive due to this problem! The job was on my 'to do list' but during a standard cleaning of the breather system I came across this......

(http://www.emgauge70s.co.uk/oilinplugwells02.jpg)

Shock horror - never knew it was this bad, and found the gaskets had been fitted with white kitchen silicone sealant. Just goes to show you should never take any previous repair documentation as genuine, and I'm surprised the engine was still firing okay on all 6 cylinders.

(http://www.emgauge70s.co.uk/oilinplugwells03.jpg)

Nearside bank not as bad, but still in need of attention.
Title: Re: Oil in plug wells - leaking cam cover gaskets
Post by: serek on 30 January 2013, 20:13:25
looks like need some fresh oil too  :y
Title: Re: Oil in plug wells - leaking cam cover gaskets
Post by: PhilRich on 30 January 2013, 20:20:04
You're lucky none of that crap appears to have found it's way into the engine oilways. Bloody diabolical! :o
Title: Re: Oil in plug wells - leaking cam cover gaskets
Post by: albitz on 30 January 2013, 20:22:11
Pattern gaskets ? Gaskets replaced but root cause (blocked breathers) not attended to ? I had a 2.6 in a similar state this time last year.
Title: Re: Oil in plug wells - leaking cam cover gaskets
Post by: amba on 30 January 2013, 21:54:20
Thats truly horrendous  :o and like and most of us who have bought Omegas from "reputable sources" have uncovered similar so called repairs. >:(

On the + side you will now know the job has been done properly and you will end up with a good running car  :y
Title: Re: Oil in plug wells - leaking cam cover gaskets
Post by: dbug on 30 January 2013, 22:16:53
Looks like more oil in your plug wells than in the sump mate. ???

And agree looks like you need an oil change :y
Title: Re: Oil in plug wells - leaking cam cover gaskets
Post by: omega3000 on 30 January 2013, 22:22:22
Was just like the first omega i bought and was inspected by vauxhall , given the all clear even though it filled the road with smoke once warmed up  >:( People do seal these up like this quite a lot im afraid  :(
Title: Re: Oil in plug wells - leaking cam cover gaskets
Post by: albitz on 31 January 2013, 00:03:35
Clean the breathers,change the oil & filter,replace the gaskets with genuine GM only.Camcovers be tightened to 8nm only and no more,or the covers will warp. Problem will be sorted permanently,as long as oil & filter are changed at maximum intervals of 5000 miles and breathers are cleaned at every other oil change. :y
Title: Re: Oil in plug wells - leaking cam cover gaskets
Post by: Tick Tock on 31 January 2013, 09:16:22
I suspect pattern parts were used, but obviously not helped by the way they were fitted with white kitchen sealant.