Omega Owners Forum
Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: tunnie on 03 January 2007, 13:42:23
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Arrgghh, started so well, flushed the coolant system now got nice fresh red in there.
But the breathers are pi$$ing me off, got the little pipe off ok.
Its the main back one (stolen AA's photo) :
(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i143/Auto_Addict/1_Cam_Cover_Breather.jpg)
As pictured his clips are facing forwards, and are nice and easy to undo.
Mine are facing the bulkhead >:( >:( >:(
Removed the plastic eco strip, and unplugged to loom at the back. Access is still difficult. Got long nosed plyers but they keep sliping and those clips are damn tight. normal plyers don't open wide enough to grip it >:( >:( >:( >:(
Any ideas? Hacked off with this cause i know that pipes full of crud >:(
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Decent Stilsons/Gas Pliers? Not sure it room to get in there...
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Hacksaw, then jubilee clips?
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Decent Stilsons/Gas Pliers? Not sure it room to get in there...
I only have to 2 set of plyers, long nosed and normal. Normal not big enough, long nosed grip it but not man enough really.
I could hacksaw it Jim, but I don't have any replacement jubilee clips :(
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Undo bottom clip and disconnect then turn the pipe 180 deg
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if you can't do it, pop it over later this evening, we'll find a way...
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Undo bottom clip and disconnect then turn the pipe 180 deg
bottom clip also facing the bulkhead, thats even harder to reach than the top one.
Just found a g-clamp & another set of plyers going to try them
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if you can't do it, pop it over later this evening, we'll find a way...
cheers :y
Just going to give it another go, just had a bite to eat and gunna give it some agression :y
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Is that the pipe you have bought a new one of?
If so, cut it, then use plies to yank it off!
I need a new one of those pipes myself, Wife's is held together with insulating tape, dread to think whats underneath. Did buy a flametrap to fit in the pipe, but the pipe seems to narrow for the traps connectors.
So if you did buy one, what was part no?
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Just had a look in the machine mart catalogue seems they do a gizmo for those sort of clips hth ;)
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Swan neck pliers usually work if you can get them in there...
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right well...
its taken me over 1hr 15 mins to loosen off 1 clip!! >:( >:( >:(
After much swearing and throwing tools around the garage, i got the bottom clip loosened off. Now the rubber pipe is seamed to be welded to the metal pipe comming up from the engine, no matter how hard i pull, push wiggle yank sware the damn thing won't come off >:(
Pulling on it so hard the whole car is shaking and now my shoulder hurts :(
Bugger that i thought, moved onto the cam sensor.... stuck again >:(. Accidently deleted TD's PM on how he did it.... :-[
There is a nut just above the bar code on the cambelt cover, I am supposed to loose that off to pull back the cover???
Can't find the nut which holds the cam sensor in, do i have to go right down to see the cambelt and such like?
I know Haynes says your supposed to take the aux belt off, but TD did it without. I am assuming he took that nut off and pulled back the cover? - Just want to double check before i go bugger something else! :y
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Now the rubber pipe is seamed to be welded to the metal pipe comming up from the engine, no matter how hard i pull, push wiggle yank sware the damn thing won't come off >:(
Thats not a sign of nice clear breathers....
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Sorry to hear about those clips. What manufacturers cannot just use jubilee clips I do not know! I have used a pair of water pump pliers in the past to great effect with these type of clips. They are adjustable and open up nice and wide - just the job for these clips. You can get them in the tool section of B&Q, Wickes etc.
On to your cam sensor - on my Cavalier you take the ECOTEC strip off the rocker cover which exposes the wire leading into it. There is a clip which you have to (I think) press in or down to release the sensor. I think from here the sensor either slides out OR, you need to take the timing belt cover off to release the securing nut. I have never actually done this myself, but was going to hence I researched it a little.
I assume that with yours being the newer 2.2 engine, you already had the modified cam sensor fitted and the dealer supplied you with the correct replacement?
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at the moment i can't see where the nut is to remove the cam sensor... however just browsed AA breather how2 and notice that metal pipe going to the fat breather can be removed!!!
::) ::) ::) ::)
Going back out with my new socket set to remove that blasted pipe! :y
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Good thinking, wish I had thought of that :-[
Good Luck
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Was going to say same thing a X25XE, water pump pliers, never had a clip refuse to come off yet !
Also as far as rubber elbow/pipe welding its self on to rocker box, its not unusual ( as Tom Jones , once said )
Just get a small bladed screwdriver under front edge, and have a wiggle !!!
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right, well given up on the breathers. that top clip aint comming off unless i cut it off, so going to have to get a replacement pipe.
I took that metal pipe off that comes from the bottom of the engine... couple of 13mm nuts however there appeared to be no gasket between the pipe and the engine block :o
The thin plate between them as pictured in AA's guide wasn't on mine, and i am sure it didn't fall down when i removed it... i checked the floor!
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Go buy one there as cheap as chips !
And i can not understand how you can nct get top clip off of pipe !
Go buy a £3 set of water pump pliers !
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right well...
its taken me over 1hr 15 mins to loosen off 1 clip!! >:( >:( >:(
After much swearing and throwing tools around the garage, i got the bottom clip loosened off. Now the rubber pipe is seamed to be welded to the metal pipe comming up from the engine, no matter how hard i pull, push wiggle yank sware the damn thing won't come off >:(
Pulling on it so hard the whole car is shaking and now my shoulder hurts :(
Bugger that i thought, moved onto the cam sensor.... stuck again >:(. Accidently deleted TD's PM on how he did it.... :-[
There is a nut just above the bar code on the cambelt cover, I am supposed to loose that off to pull back the cover???
Can't find the nut which holds the cam sensor in, do i have to go right down to see the cambelt and such like?
I know Haynes says your supposed to take the aux belt off, but TD did it without. I am assuming he took that nut off and pulled back the cover? - Just want to double check before i go bugger something else! :y
Why you wanna remove cam sensor for Tunnie !! JUST UNPLUG THE BLOODY THING ! ;D
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When these clips face 'the wrong way' I find I can usually move them to a more convenient position by applying a pair of pliers or a screwdriver to one of the 'ears' and push it towards the other ear. It usually releases enough tension to allow the clip to slide round the pipe a little way. Repeat until you can get water pump pliers or moles onto both ears as normal.
hth
If you unbolt the bottom of the steel tube you will need a new metal gasket, but I guess black sealant would do if you have some left. When cleaning up a neglected engine its worth removing this tube in any case, there can be loads of dried gunk in it and it may even be blocked.
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right well...
its taken me over 1hr 15 mins to loosen off 1 clip!! >:( >:( >:(
After much swearing and throwing tools around the garage, i got the bottom clip loosened off. Now the rubber pipe is seamed to be welded to the metal pipe comming up from the engine, no matter how hard i pull, push wiggle yank sware the damn thing won't come off >:(
Pulling on it so hard the whole car is shaking and now my shoulder hurts :(
Bugger that i thought, moved onto the cam sensor.... stuck again >:(. Accidently deleted TD's PM on how he did it.... :-[
There is a nut just above the bar code on the cambelt cover, I am supposed to loose that off to pull back the cover???
Can't find the nut which holds the cam sensor in, do i have to go right down to see the cambelt and such like?
I know Haynes says your supposed to take the aux belt off, but TD did it without. I am assuming he took that nut off and pulled back the cover? - Just want to double check before i go bugger something else! :y
Why you wanna remove cam sensor for Tunnie !! JUST UNPLUG THE BLOODY THING ! ;D
I have already got a replacement cam sensor, my understanding was without it, or it unplugged it will be very hard to start?
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I had the same thing Tunnie......clips facing the bulkhead......what you need is clip pliers :y
£4.99 from Halfrauds where i got mine from.
Still took me 20 mins to get the bloody clips off......i ended up whacking em so they moved round the pipe (but whack em so that it loosens them a bit....and then they move round) so i could get the clip pliers on them ;)
If you have got the clip of the big pipe attached to the cam cover.......and it still wont come off.....it needs persuading with a 'big' flat bladed screwdriver.....be careful tho and dont go splitting the pipe.....a little nick dont worry about.....its not as tho it carrying high pressure fluid!
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I've got a set of the "proper" hose clip pliers, bought them to get the clips off the breather pipes on the top of the V6 plenum as you can't easily get them off otherwise, on my old miggy. Bought some replacements for the new one as it didn't have any, and Vx supplied ... jubilee clips!!
TBH, I've found the best thing to use for those spring clips shown in your pic is a set of mole grips (self locking pliers, about a fiver from wickes) - lock them holding the clip open, you can then wiggle it free no problem normally ... plus you can use those upright which you can't do with the "proper" hose clip pliers.
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Right OK, so your replacing the cam sensor !
Sorry Tunnie from your postings i thought you was doing cam cover gasket !
No need to get sarcky !!!! Urmmmmmmmmmmmmm :-X
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Was going to say same thing a X25XE, water pump pliers, never had a clip refuse to come off yet !
its not unusual ( as Tom Jones , once said )
There is always a song!
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I've got a set of the "proper" hose clip pliers, bought them to get the clips off the breather pipes on the top of the V6 plenum as you can't easily get them off otherwise, on my old miggy. Bought some replacements for the new one as it didn't have any, and Vx supplied ... jubilee clips!!
TBH, I've found the best thing to use for those spring clips shown in your pic is a set of mole grips (self locking pliers, about a fiver from wickes) - lock them holding the clip open, you can then wiggle it free no problem normally ... plus you can use those upright which you can't do with the "proper" hose clip pliers.
Yep, I have also used Mole grips in the past to great effect.
It is interesting about your breather pipes having these type of clips - on my V6, they are Jubliee clips. They were not put on by me either..............
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just see my other thread :-[
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Mine were facing the back when I first did mine, sprayed some WD40 onto them and managed to twist them round with a pair of pliers.
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either a small pair of mole grips, or some plumbing grips. both cheap from DIY stores. Works every time for me on that breather on 2.0's - even when they're facing the bulkhead...
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To get the clamps off, put some oil on the clip and give it 20 mins or so to penetrate.
The put a flat edge (e.g. *Big* screwdriver) on one of the bands in the middle of the clip and you should be able to slowly tap the clip round until the prongs to remove it are in a suitable position.
Just take car not to punch a hole in the pipe...hence the larger and fatter the screwdriver blade the better...
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cheers for the replys all.
Got one clip around, not managed to get the other one yet.
Created a bigger problem with the snapped stud.
Thanks for the help all :y
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I thought you had go go gadget arms - just no pliers eh? I used water pump pliers too, once its loose its easy ;D
If it's any consolation I've just fitted new bright bulbs to my wife's Meriva. What a pig of a job. Had to remove breather hose, air box and bottom + lower pipe just to get at the damn thing all in the rain - took me nearly an hour!. I love my huge empty 2.2 engine bay again.
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right, well given up on the breathers. that top clip aint comming off unless i cut it off, so going to have to get a replacement pipe.
I took that metal pipe off that comes from the bottom of the engine... couple of 13mm nuts however there appeared to be no gasket between the pipe and the engine block :o
The thin plate between them as pictured in AA's guide wasn't on mine, and i am sure it didn't fall down when i removed it... i checked the floor!
It's probably stuck on the bottom of the pipe. I reused myold one and it started leaking so doubtful that there isn't one at all. 67p from Vx and usually in stock.
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I love my huge empty 2.2 engine bay again.
With comments like that you've left yourself completely open for someone to say it's because your car has 2 cylinders missing!! ;) :y
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I love my huge empty 2.2 engine bay again.
With comments like that you've left yourself completely open for someone to say it's because your car has 2 cylinders missing!! ;) :y
It was tongue in cheek. Having those 2 cylinders missing makes working on the engine sooo much easier. :D
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With regards to the breather clips. I managed to get mine off using water pump pliers, lying across the engine so I could get at it from the back and underneath. Replaced with jubilee clips on refit.
While I was struggling to get them off, a friend suggested wrapping a loop of wire around the flat sections of the clip and twisting it with a screwdriver to pull the two together. I reckon it would have worked. Managed to get mine off before resorting to this.
I know there a special tool for this type of clip, but it must be equally difficult to use in the confines of that space when they are facing backwards. Along with the Torx fastenings fitted everywhere, I'm surprised that Vauxhall don't put a big sticker on the bonnet saying "No user servicable parts inside!" [smiley=grin.gif]
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...What manufacturers cannot just use jubilee clips I do not know!...
a. These clips are quicker to get on and off when using the proper tools, hence reduced manufacturing cost.
b. They also ensure the exact and correct pressure is applied and prevent a hung-over Monday morning assembly line worker from over-tightening them which may lead to premature failure.
So there.....
But you can chuck 'em all out and use good old Jubilee type instead if you really feel like it... ;D
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...What manufacturers cannot just use jubilee clips I do not know!...
a. These clips are quicker to get on and off when using the proper tools, hence reduced manufacturing cost.
b. They also ensure the exact and correct pressure is applied and prevent a hung-over Monday morning assembly line worker from over-tightening them which may lead to premature failure.
So there.....
But you can chuck 'em all out and use good old Jubilee type instead if you really feel like it... ;D
Additionally, if the clip is present, it is done up. Its easy enough to miss tightening a jubilee clip...
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Can't disagree with you. If they are there, then they're on.
The proper tools for these hose clamps are about £15 - 20 though and unless you work on engines an awful lot they are an expensive luxury. Most people can lay their hands on a 7mm socket or a flat bladed screwdirver to undo a jubilee.
I usually check all connections twice before I finish a job anyway (paranoia based on previous foul ups) and have had spring clamps fail after a while when they have been undone too many times. Jubilees usually just seize on.
I know that the production engineers at automotive plants prefer these easy fit fasteners and fixings for a number of reasons, but the average home mechanic, doesn't always have the tools to undo these.