Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: l.t on 16 November 2010, 14:16:51

Title: fitting vectra v6 cam covers
Post by: l.t on 16 November 2010, 14:16:51
hi just purchased 2 vectra cam covers for my miggy ... do i need the expensive gaskets or can i get away with the cheapies.... also oil filler is in different place ..do i have to move anything to fit it ?

cheers
ljt
Title: Re: fitting vectra v6 cam covers
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 16 November 2010, 14:18:45
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hi just purchased 2 vectra cam covers for my miggy ... do i need the expensive gaskets or can i get away with the cheapies.... also oil filler is in different place ..do i have to move anything to fit it ?

cheers
ljt


Well all I know is that on the Omega you MUST fit genuine gaskets, with black sealant, or they will soon leak. ;) ;)

Sure it must be the same with Vectra's covers, even though they are metal.
Title: Re: fitting vectra v6 cam covers
Post by: geoffr70 on 16 November 2010, 14:20:22
when I did my cam gakets I used gen VX. They seem to be the only ones recommended on here as the cheapo ones are rubbish apparently, and for a fraction of the price I bet they are!

I've also heard that vectra cam covers aren't advised either, don't know why though, someone else will tell you soon.
Title: Re: fitting vectra v6 cam covers
Post by: Dave Elite on 16 November 2010, 14:23:41
The plastic cam covers on the omega has different gaskets to the vectra metal ones. Make sure you get the right ones.
Title: Re: fitting vectra v6 cam covers
Post by: Andy B on 16 November 2010, 14:25:44
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....
I've also heard that vectra cam covers aren't advised either, don't know why though, someone else will tell you soon.

because when your breathers are blocked, the increased pressure will blow your rear crank shaft seal first instead of the cam cover gaskets. Although a rear crank seal is quite cheap, they're a bugger to fit ..... the gearbo has to be removed.  :-?
Title: Re: fitting vectra v6 cam covers
Post by: geoffr70 on 16 November 2010, 14:29:00
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Quote
....
I've also heard that vectra cam covers aren't advised either, don't know why though, someone else will tell you soon.

because when your breathers are blocked, the increased pressure will blow your rear crank shaft seal first instead of the cam cover gaskets. Although a rear crank seal is quite cheap, they're a bugger to fit ..... the gearbo has to be removed.  :-?

See!
Title: Re: fitting vectra v6 cam covers
Post by: tunnie on 16 November 2010, 14:30:27
pay cheap pay twice, pattern do not last! Geniune gaskets, genuine black sealant, not green

Why the Vectra cam covers? Your better off with the stock plastic ones.

I did my camcover at about 105k miles, with genuine parts, its not leaked in several years and 45k!

Fresh oil and clean breathers prevents the gaskets blowing  :y
Title: Re: fitting vectra v6 cam covers
Post by: Andy B on 16 November 2010, 14:33:52
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.....
Geniune gaskets, genuine black sealant, not green as per the guide.  ......

I wonder how long orange Loctite  (http://www.onlinebearings.co.uk/images/P/loctite_574_lg.jpg) lasts?  ::) ::)
Title: Re: fitting vectra v6 cam covers
Post by: tunnie on 16 November 2010, 14:38:36
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Quote
.....
Geniune gaskets, genuine black sealant, not green as per the guide.  ......

I wonder how long orange Loctite  (http://www.onlinebearings.co.uk/images/P/loctite_574_lg.jpg) lasts?  ::) ::)

Does it smell of oranges too?  :D

How much is it?

Know some people have used various types of Loctite, but i've never had any issues with GM's Black sealant, and as its a job thats done once every 100k or so, i'll stick with it for when the others need doing.
Title: Re: fitting vectra v6 cam covers
Post by: Lazydocker on 16 November 2010, 14:59:09
The other problem with Vectra cam covers is that they need fitting the wrong way around really, to keep the filler in the correct place, and that means the plug holes won't line up properly putting strain on the leads... Your call, but I'd just use genuine Vx parts and the original covers, unless they are cracked, and pay attention to the low torque value. Mine, like TB's were done about 55k ago and don't leak ;)
Title: Re: fitting vectra v6 cam covers
Post by: Andy B on 16 November 2010, 17:10:15
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....
Does it smell of oranges too?  :D
Not quite, more like silicon  ;)

Quote
How much is it?...
Don't know, stores doesn't have a price list .... came from a previous stores  :y  :y
Title: Re: fitting vectra v6 cam covers
Post by: humbucker on 16 November 2010, 17:26:15
clean your breathers regularly enough and you dont need to be buggering about with cam covers. the "MUST fit genuine gaskets" claim isnt strictly true, and the gaskets for the metal cam covers are the same if i recall, as i use them on my cavalier AND my omega(s). obviously any OE part is going to be a better fit but that doesnt mean that ALL pattern parts are crap. autovaux supply some excellent fitting items that work fine. i have had no problem with them since fitting a year ago.
Title: Re: fitting vectra v6 cam covers
Post by: Dave Elite on 16 November 2010, 19:18:21
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clean your breathers regularly enough and you dont need to be buggering about with cam covers. the "MUST fit genuine gaskets" claim isnt strictly true, and the gaskets for the metal cam covers are the same if i recall, as i use them on my cavalier AND my omega(s). obviously any OE part is going to be a better fit but that doesnt mean that ALL pattern parts are crap. autovaux supply some excellent fitting items that work fine. i have had no problem with them since fitting a year ago.
No, they are different. Vectra B metal ones use different gaskets to omega plastic ones.
Title: Re: fitting vectra v6 cam covers
Post by: Darth Loo-knee on 16 November 2010, 19:49:18
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Quote
clean your breathers regularly enough and you dont need to be buggering about with cam covers. the "MUST fit genuine gaskets" claim isnt strictly true, and the gaskets for the metal cam covers are the same if i recall, as i use them on my cavalier AND my omega(s). obviously any OE part is going to be a better fit but that doesnt mean that ALL pattern parts are crap. autovaux supply some excellent fitting items that work fine. i have had no problem with them since fitting a year ago.
No, they are different. Vectra B metal ones use different gaskets to omega plastic ones.


He is right :y
Also your filler will be in rather an arkward place when you want to do an oil change ::)
Title: Re: fitting vectra v6 cam covers
Post by: TheBoy on 16 November 2010, 20:45:57
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Mine, like TB's were done about 55k ago and don't leak ;)
Wouldn't be surprised if mine may need changing again soon - they have been off about 3 times since then, reusing same gaskets ::)
Title: Re: fitting vectra v6 cam covers
Post by: Bent valve on 16 November 2010, 20:46:26
These are the gaskets you need , they are good quality, and because they have a much greater contact area than the standard omega gasket they wont leak EVER as long as you take care when fitting them, IE carefully degrease both mating surfaces using meths or similar and be sure to use a dab of the correct black sealant in the right places at the 'corners' around the cam seals and the half moons at the back, and as said keep the breathing system clean. Filling with oil is no problem as long as you use a funnel :y
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vauxhall-VECTRA-SAAB-9-5-V6-CAM-ROCKER-COVER-GASKET-NEW-/350315863955?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item519073df93
Title: Re: fitting vectra v6 cam covers
Post by: TheBoy on 16 November 2010, 20:46:45
I certainly would advise against fitting vectra metal covers.
Title: Re: fitting vectra v6 cam covers
Post by: Lazydocker on 16 November 2010, 20:57:39
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Mine, like TB's were done about 55k ago and don't leak ;)
Wouldn't be surprised if mine may need changing again soon - they have been off about 3 times since then, reusing same gaskets ::)

Mine had a little weep for ages but found that some of the bolts were a little loose... Tightened them again and all been fine since.

But then, mine haven't been off since :-X ::)
Title: Re: fitting vectra v6 cam covers
Post by: Lazydocker on 16 November 2010, 20:59:48
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I certainly would advise against fitting vectra metal covers.

I'd second that. I have seen cars with them having dreadful misfire issues due to the offset plug holes.

But... It's your car, your money and your choice :y :y

But we've warned you!  ::) ;D
Title: Re: fitting vectra v6 cam covers
Post by: Bent valve on 16 November 2010, 21:03:58
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I certainly would advise against fitting vectra metal covers.
Dont listen to him, he knows a lot about computers but zilch about engines ;)
Title: Re: fitting vectra v6 cam covers
Post by: Bent valve on 16 November 2010, 21:08:06
Quote
Quote
I certainly would advise against fitting vectra metal covers.

I'd second that. I have seen cars with them having dreadful misfire issues due to the offset plug holes.

But... It's your car, your money and your choice :y :y

But we've warned you!  ::) ;D
Offset plug holes? Theres no problem with my omega fitted with vectra covers, the plug leads fit perfectly and it certainly dosent misfire.
Title: Re: fitting vectra v6 cam covers
Post by: 05omegav6 on 16 November 2010, 21:43:05
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Lazydocker wrote Today at 20:59:
TheBoy wrote Today at 20:46:
I certainly would advise against fitting vectra metal covers.


I'd second that. I have seen cars with them having dreadful misfire issues due to the offset plug holes.

But... It's your car, your money and your choice 

But we've warned you!   

Offset plug holes? Theres no problem with my omega fitted with vectra covers, the plug leads fit perfectly and it certainly dosent misfire.

Does the 2.6 engine have different covers in the vectra b? I believe that the 3.2 uses the same covers in both the vectra c and on the omega :-/ Neither the op or bent valve have said exactly which engines they have.

Quote
TheBoy wrote Today at 20:46:
I certainly would advise against fitting vectra metal covers.

Dont listen to him, he knows a lot about computers but zilch about engines

Bold statement for a newbie :-X
Title: Re: fitting vectra v6 cam covers
Post by: Lazydocker on 16 November 2010, 21:52:18
Quote
Quote
Lazydocker wrote Today at 20:59:
TheBoy wrote Today at 20:46:
I certainly would advise against fitting vectra metal covers.


I'd second that. I have seen cars with them having dreadful misfire issues due to the offset plug holes.

But... It's your car, your money and your choice 

But we've warned you!   

Offset plug holes? Theres no problem with my omega fitted with vectra covers, the plug leads fit perfectly and it certainly dosent misfire.

Does the 2.6 engine have different covers in the vectra b? I believe that the 3.2 uses the same covers in both the vectra c and on the omega :-/ Neither the op or bent valve have said exactly which engines they have.

Quote
TheBoy wrote Today at 20:46:
I certainly would advise against fitting vectra metal covers.

Dont listen to him, he knows a lot about computers but zilch about engines

Bold statement for a newbie :-X

Wasn't it Veccy C before they got the 2.6? :-/ :-/

Like I said... I wouldn't fit them but each to their own. I prefer to know that the weakest point in the system is easily visible :y
Title: Re: fitting vectra v6 cam covers
Post by: 05omegav6 on 16 November 2010, 22:15:36
If memory still works:

Vectra b 2.5 '95-'99, then 2.6 '99-'02.
Vectra c 3.2 '02-'55, then 2.8t '55-'09.

I think from all the previous noise that the vectra b uses different covers/gaskets for packaging reasons, the engine being the wrong way round and all. (The car being a fwd tat box, not withstanding). :-/
Title: Re: fitting vectra v6 cam covers
Post by: Dave Elite on 17 November 2010, 02:16:16
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Quote
Quote
clean your breathers regularly enough and you dont need to be buggering about with cam covers. the "MUST fit genuine gaskets" claim isnt strictly true, and the gaskets for the metal cam covers are the same if i recall, as i use them on my cavalier AND my omega(s). obviously any OE part is going to be a better fit but that doesnt mean that ALL pattern parts are crap. autovaux supply some excellent fitting items that work fine. i have had no problem with them since fitting a year ago.
No, they are different. Vectra B metal ones use different gaskets to omega plastic ones.


He is right :y
Also your filler will be in rather an arkward place when you want to do an oil change ::)
Thanks DLK :y
Title: Re: fitting vectra v6 cam covers
Post by: humbucker on 17 November 2010, 09:24:12
Quote
These are the gaskets you need , they are good quality, and because they have a much greater contact area than the standard omega gasket they wont leak EVER as long as you take care when fitting them, IE carefully degrease both mating surfaces using meths or similar and be sure to use a dab of the correct black sealant in the right places at the 'corners' around the cam seals and the half moons at the back, and as said keep the breathing system clean. Filling with oil is no problem as long as you use a funnel :y
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vauxhall-VECTRA-SAAB-9-5-V6-CAM-ROCKER-COVER-GASKET-NEW-/350315863955?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item519073df93

those are more or less the same elring gaskets i was supplied by autovaux. can't recommend them highly enough (the gaskets i mean  ;D )

(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm317/audiojustice/cav/28022009526.jpg)
Title: Re: fitting vectra v6 cam covers
Post by: robson on 17 November 2010, 09:41:54
In these postings the need to clean breathers regularly is stressed, how often is regularly, obviously depends on how the car is used ie long or short journeys but is there a rough guide
Title: Re: fitting vectra v6 cam covers
Post by: Lazydocker on 17 November 2010, 09:45:44
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In these postings the need to clean breathers regularly is stressed, how often is regularly, obviously depends on how the car is used ie long or short journeys but is there a rough guide

Frequent oil changes (3k or so) will reduce the need to clean the breathers as much. I check mine annually but they have been perfectly clear for the last 2 years.

If you go 10k between oil changes then I'd say you probably need to clean them every oil change ;)
Title: Re: fitting vectra v6 cam covers
Post by: humbucker on 17 November 2010, 10:20:33
i check mine every 12 - 18 months but as lazydocker says it depends on your service intervals and also the amount of use your car gets. you'll notice a big difference in performance if the buggers are clogged:

(http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm317/audiojustice/cav/28022009541.jpg)
Title: Re: fitting vectra v6 cam covers
Post by: Bent valve on 17 November 2010, 19:41:15
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Quote
I certainly would advise against fitting vectra metal covers.
Dont listen to him, he knows a lot about computers but zilch about engines ;)
Very sorry to The Boy about that remark.. but I do have a good excuse. I was drunk. And I am sure he knows a lot more about engines than I do about computers :-[
Title: Re: fitting vectra v6 cam covers
Post by: TheBoy on 17 November 2010, 20:54:21
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Quote
I certainly would advise against fitting vectra metal covers.
Dont listen to him, he knows a lot about computers but zilch about engines ;)
Oh you are so wrong - I know sod all about computers or engines ;D