Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: mathewst on 01 June 2009, 10:27:01

Title: breather cleaning?
Post by: mathewst on 01 June 2009, 10:27:01
Decidet to clean the breather, but asked the mechanic who services the car first for advice, and he recommended not to touch the breather cause it is prone to not to work properly after cleaning. He is not Opel/Vauxhall mechanic, and services all different makes.
Is he right, can this be a problem? _He mentioned the throttle is not mechanic but electric so cleaning the breather can cause problems, but he said it is ok to service egr pipe that leads to the engine
Title: Re: breather cleaning?
Post by: ScottieMV6 on 01 June 2009, 11:18:23
I am not an expert but those in the know on here would say that was "not right".

Cleaning the breathers is a fairly important job on the omega because it prevents pressure build up which eventually leads to blown cam cover gaskets.

I believe it is recommended to clean them at least annually.  :y
Title: Re: breather cleaning?
Post by: TheBoy on 01 June 2009, 11:41:45
They need cleaning fairly regularly.

I over clean mine I think (annually), but it stops any build up whatsoever :)  (note, if you do shorter journeys, need to clean more often imho)
Title: Re: breather cleaning?
Post by: mathewst on 01 June 2009, 13:07:47
Ok I understand this that breathers need cleaning
But can this cleaning lead to these problems the mechanic mentioned? 
Title: Re: breather cleaning?
Post by: TheBoy on 01 June 2009, 13:10:39
Quote
Ok I understand this that breathers need cleaning
But can this cleaning lead to these problems the mechanic mentioned? 
No reason it should lead to problems if done properly.  I've never seen any probs, though have had to change a couple of o rings in the process...
Title: Re: breather cleaning?
Post by: mathewst on 01 June 2009, 13:21:05
Sorry TheBoy but what excatly is the O ring?
Do you mean the rings on the cam cover
My english is rather good but I don't know all mechanical terms unfortunately
Title: Re: breather cleaning?
Post by: TheBoy on 01 June 2009, 15:40:58
Quote
Sorry TheBoy but what excatly is the O ring?
Do you mean the rings on the cam cover
My english is rather good but I don't know all mechanical terms unfortunately
No, there are 2 orings between the breather box on top of the plenum and the throttle bodies (4 orings on 3.0/2.6/3.2). There is also a 'hat' shaped seal underneath that breather box on plenum.  I would ensure you have replacements for these, and possibly the plenum to throttle body gasket rings before attempting.

In the UK, the o rings are a few pence each, and the 'hat' shaped seal around £1.20
Title: Re: breather cleaning?
Post by: Vmax on 01 June 2009, 16:09:37
A mechanic told me I should take the wadding out as this bungs it up? He said it would do no damage. I'm not even sure where the wadding is
Title: Re: breather cleaning?
Post by: ians on 01 June 2009, 17:02:58
Some replies here are referring to the V6.

There is a good guide (in the maintenance guide section) as I recall based on a 2.2 and it for sure is a worthwhile job.  Will improve general running, any tendancy to stall and the problem with blown camcover seals.
Title: Re: breather cleaning?
Post by: TheBoy on 01 June 2009, 19:03:47
Quote
Some replies here are referring to the V6.

There is a good guide (in the maintenance guide section) as I recall based on a 2.2 and it for sure is a worthwhile job.  Will improve general running, any tendancy to stall and the problem with blown camcover seals.
Opps, assumed it was V6.  Yes, a great guide somewhere in Maintenence Guides by Auto Addict on 2.2 breather cleaning