Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: ClarCE on 06 March 2007, 18:18:01

Title: My Cams + Gaskets
Post by: ClarCE on 06 March 2007, 18:18:01
Hello,

Well last night I was up until 4am under the flood lamps doing this:

(http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u24/ClarCE/05032007153.jpg)

(This is the drivers side, on the passenger side it was completely full of oil, you couldn't see the plug wells at all - needless to say I've changed all the plugs too.)

(http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u24/ClarCE/05032007154.jpg)

Both sides, I think they look in pretty good nick - is being gold and not black a good sign?

Fingers crossed its sorted now, you wouldn't believe the crap I removed from the breather system, it was choc solid.  My only worry was the sealant I applied, its the right stuff, just not sure I put enough on - time will tell!  At least I now know how to pull it all to bits again if need be.  Once again, only using the forum maintenance guide to get me through it - top job  :y

Chris
Title: Re: My Cams + Gaskets
Post by: jonny2112 on 06 March 2007, 21:32:24
Well done pal, great job  :y
Title: Re: My Cams + Gaskets
Post by: tunnie on 06 March 2007, 22:42:30
Good job Chris  :y
Title: Re: My Cams + Gaskets
Post by: sounds2k on 06 March 2007, 22:47:27
the gold look seems unusual to me ... but good job, did the missus lock you out of the house then to be doing them at that time?  ;D

yep the how-2 guide worked for me as well, I found the trick on the passenger side is to get the cover over the cam clamps (if that's the right name), it then just drops into place nicely :)
Title: Re: My Cams + Gaskets
Post by: ClarCE on 06 March 2007, 23:38:43
Cheers, the gold could be where I put castrol gtx in, and now i've changed it to the gm semi synth stuff I suppose... don't know really..

Yeah, she passed out at about 11 last night when she realised there was no way i was coming to bed anytime soon!  :P
Title: Re: My Cams + Gaskets
Post by: sounds2k on 06 March 2007, 23:55:09
... what time did you start work on it ??
Title: Re: My Cams + Gaskets
Post by: ClarCE on 07 March 2007, 00:00:16
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... what time did you start work on it ??

7:30, took me a lot longer than I thought it would, spent at least an hour having ciggie breaks outside the garage (inside would have been lethal with all the carb cleaner in the air) and about another hour fixing broken bits I found - i.e one of the coolant pipes and one of the breather pipes.. All in 8.5 hours!!!
Title: Re: My Cams + Gaskets
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 07 March 2007, 00:30:32
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... what time did you start work on it ??

7:30, took me a lot longer than I thought it would, spent at least an hour having ciggie breaks outside the garage (inside would have been lethal with all the carb cleaner in the air) and about another hour fixing broken bits I found - i.e one of the coolant pipes and one of the breather pipes.. All in 8.5 hours!!!

You'll get the time down the more often you do these things. No harm at all in taking your time and doing a good job.

Really pleased you're rolling up your sleeves and having a go!

Currently got this down to 2.5 hours without snags.. but speed isn't always good...
Title: Re: My Cams + Gaskets
Post by: ClarCE on 07 March 2007, 00:56:47
Well hopefully the time was worth it - I've got my fingers crossed, went on a good run earlier and only had a little smokey smell when at traffic lights, rather than all the time as it was before (as well as filling up the car with smoke) - I think its just burning off what I couldn't clean...

Just read your PM James - I would have loved for you to do it, but thought that I should start having a crack at these things... After mastering wishbones and drop links last week I felt a lot more confident to tackle the gaskets!  2.5 hours is good, but then after watching you do my cambelt at Brackley I would expect that, you're definitely a bit of demon mechanic thats for sure  :y
Title: Re: My Cams + Gaskets
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 07 March 2007, 07:56:15
I have seen that gold tinge before.....its had an additive in it at some point.....
Title: Re: My Cams + Gaskets
Post by: Dave-C on 08 March 2007, 06:48:40
Regular good quality oil changes from now on, that'll keep it clear, I do mine "Oil n' Filter" every 6 months or 5k and mine showed no signs of gunk when I did my breathers /cam covers..

VX Semi Synth about £8, but you need a little more than one carton, so buy two and you've got a top up for future oil changes..

Dave C
Title: Re: My Cams + Gaskets
Post by: ClarCE on 08 March 2007, 08:51:02
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Regular good quality oil changes from now on, that'll keep it clear, I do mine "Oil n' Filter" every 6 months or 5k and mine showed no signs of gunk when I did my breathers /cam covers..

VX Semi Synth about £8, but you need a little more than one carton, so buy two and you've got a top up for future oil changes..

Dave C

Yep, thats what I've been doing, but much more regularly seeing as I have no history at all with the car, so at the moment its been done, then again after 250 miles, and it'll be done again when its done 750 on Tuesday evening.
Title: Re: My Cams + Gaskets
Post by: Craig_R on 08 March 2007, 09:09:00
Well Done Mate For having a go, Your braver than me but there again i dont have a tool set lol

 :y  Thumbs Up  :y

Craig
Title: Re: My Cams + Gaskets
Post by: ians on 08 March 2007, 09:51:22
Quote

VX Semi Synth about £8, but you need a little more than one carton, so buy two and you've got a top up for future oil changes..

Dave C

I asked for a price on 5L semisynth last time I was in parts (in Newbury ClarCE).  18 quid he said...  I said that's a bit on the high side you know.  'Oh well um I could probably do something for you..'  I'm sure.    The margin on oil must be enormous,  and that's nothing to what they charge for oil under parts alone when they do a service.

I guess the £8 is trade price?

Cheers,
Ian
Title: Re: My Cams + Gaskets
Post by: ClarCE on 08 March 2007, 10:24:54
Quote
Quote

VX Semi Synth about £8, but you need a little more than one carton, so buy two and you've got a top up for future oil changes..

Dave C

I asked for a price on 5L semisynth last time I was in parts (in Newbury ClarCE).  18 quid he said...  I said that's a bit on the high side you know.  'Oh well um I could probably do something for you..'  I'm sure.    The margin on oil must be enormous,  and that's nothing to what they charge for oil under parts alone when they do a service.

I guess the £8 is trade price?

Cheers,
Ian

I've joined autobahnstormers ian, so should have trade club access pretty shortly...
Title: Re: My Cams + Gaskets
Post by: jonny2112 on 08 March 2007, 10:49:34
Quote
Quote
Quote

VX Semi Synth about £8, but you need a little more than one carton, so buy two and you've got a top up for future oil changes..

Dave C

I asked for a price on 5L semisynth last time I was in parts (in Newbury ClarCE).  18 quid he said...  I said that's a bit on the high side you know.  'Oh well um I could probably do something for you..'  I'm sure.    The margin on oil must be enormous,  and that's nothing to what they charge for oil under parts alone when they do a service.

I guess the £8 is trade price?

Cheers,
Ian

I've joined autobahnstormers ian, so should have trade club access pretty shortly...

Don't forget to mention that the oil is 4 for 3 at the minute on trade club (ie buy 3 get one free)  :y
Title: Re: My Cams + Gaskets
Post by: TheBoy on 08 March 2007, 17:44:54
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Quote
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Quote

VX Semi Synth about £8, but you need a little more than one carton, so buy two and you've got a top up for future oil changes..

Dave C

I asked for a price on 5L semisynth last time I was in parts (in Newbury ClarCE).  18 quid he said...  I said that's a bit on the high side you know.  'Oh well um I could probably do something for you..'  I'm sure.    The margin on oil must be enormous,  and that's nothing to what they charge for oil under parts alone when they do a service.

I guess the £8 is trade price?

Cheers,
Ian

I've joined autobahnstormers ian, so should have trade club access pretty shortly...

Don't forget to mention that the oil is 4 for 3 at the minute on trade club (ie buy 3 get one free)  :y
Correct, so on TC, 4 x 5l semi come in at a shade over £30. Older type filters are £1.11 +VAT, newer paper ones about £3 + VAT.

So no excuse for not doing 4k oil changes ;)
Title: Re: My Cams + Gaskets
Post by: ClarCE on 08 March 2007, 18:33:35
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote

VX Semi Synth about £8, but you need a little more than one carton, so buy two and you've got a top up for future oil changes..

Dave C

I asked for a price on 5L semisynth last time I was in parts (in Newbury ClarCE).  18 quid he said...  I said that's a bit on the high side you know.  'Oh well um I could probably do something for you..'  I'm sure.    The margin on oil must be enormous,  and that's nothing to what they charge for oil under parts alone when they do a service.

I guess the £8 is trade price?

Cheers,
Ian

I've joined autobahnstormers ian, so should have trade club access pretty shortly...

Don't forget to mention that the oil is 4 for 3 at the minute on trade club (ie buy 3 get one free)  :y
Correct, so on TC, 4 x 5l semi come in at a shade over £30. Older type filters are £1.11 +VAT, newer paper ones about £3 + VAT.

So no excuse for not doing 4k oil changes ;)

Got my card when I got home, cheap bits here we come  :y
Title: Re: My Cams + Gaskets
Post by: ians on 08 March 2007, 19:03:27
Excellent - how long did that take to come?  Do they send it to you direct or did you need to apply to Vauxhall?

Cheers

Ian
Title: Re: My Cams + Gaskets
Post by: ClarCE on 08 March 2007, 19:09:03
Quote
Excellent - how long did that take to come?  Do they send it to you direct or did you need to apply to Vauxhall?

Cheers

Ian

I joined autobahnstormers, so its them thats the member of trade club, numbers on back of card they send you (membership card) posted cheque last thurs, so just under a week - you can always borrow it mate, its no prob - Inchcape do trade club I asked last time I was in..
Title: Re: My Cams + Gaskets
Post by: ians on 08 March 2007, 19:31:35
That's very kind Chris.
BTW is there somekind of online price list that goes with it, or do you need to ring up?
Cheers

Ian
Title: Re: My Cams + Gaskets
Post by: ClarCE on 08 March 2007, 20:43:35
Quote
That's very kind Chris.
BTW is there somekind of online price list that goes with it, or do you need to ring up?
Cheers

Ian

Think you've got to phone them, I'm going to ring tomorrow about oil and see how much over the normal trade club price they ask ;)
Title: Re: My Cams + Gaskets
Post by: ians on 08 March 2007, 20:46:20
ask them about 2.5 thermostats too - I might be joining you on that one..
Title: Re: My Cams + Gaskets
Post by: ClarCE on 08 March 2007, 20:48:10
Quote
ask them about 2.5 thermostats too - I might be joining you on that one..

haha, ok mate
Title: Re: My Cams + Gaskets
Post by: jonny2112 on 08 March 2007, 21:27:36
There is a link on ABS forum which has an uploaded version of the TC prices for your info. Be aware though that not all parts are covered by TC, it's mainly normal service items. However, it does allow you to get to know your parts dept and hopefully they will look after you with regard to other parts.
Good luck  :y
Title: Re: My Cams + Gaskets
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 08 March 2007, 21:29:34
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That's very kind Chris.
BTW is there somekind of online price list that goes with it, or do you need to ring up?
Cheers

Ian

Think you've got to phone them, I'm going to ring tomorrow about oil and see how much over the normal trade club price they ask ;)

You should have had some of the semi i had in the back of my estate a few weeks ago....bargain price that was  ;) If you carnt get it at TC price.....let me know and your welcome to some  :y

Title: Re: My Cams + Gaskets
Post by: sounds2k on 08 March 2007, 22:41:19
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BTW is there somekind of online price list that goes with it, or do you need to ring up?
yep - there's a trade club website - here (http://www.tradeclub.co.uk) - but you'll need a login, autobahnstormers should have one ...
Title: Re: My Cams + Gaskets
Post by: TheBoy on 09 March 2007, 18:12:11
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BTW is there somekind of online price list that goes with it, or do you need to ring up?
yep - there's a trade club website - here (http://www.tradeclub.co.uk) - but you'll need a login, autobahnstormers should have one ...
ABS don't give out the details for this. The user id is easy enough to guess, but the password isn't (I know, I have it ;))

I believe ABS post up a pricelist, but since I've not got access to their forums , despite being a member for a couple of years and applying several times, I cannot confirm.