Omega Owners Forum
Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Deuce on 22 October 2011, 14:19:53
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First time doing this.
Picked up my VX gasket set from Mr AndyC yesterday, thanks Andy!
Have some pics here of what I did this morning, so far, as I need a question answered about the mayo in the breathe pipes.
Have to apologise as I am not familiar with terms used on modern engines. Please correct me if I make a mistake.
Started with removing the two large pipes off the throttle body at the front.
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6055/6269163152_579a40900b_z.jpg)
Next I disconnected this electric plug from the throttle body.
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6035/6269164290_b55ccdb80c_z.jpg)
Then I disconnected this pipe (looks like a vacuum pipe) and the bigger pipe above (which is a water pipe, with little water loss)
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6178/6268640029_74b6c2231d_z.jpg)
Then disconnected the four pipes from the back of the EGR breather bridge.
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6173/6268641201_bacb8f1d0f_z.jpg)
Then this vacuum connection from the plenum(other end goes to servo).
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6059/6269169232_84a56c6308_z.jpg)
Next I removed three torx bolts, each holding a braket onto the plenum. You can see one removed at the front right, there are two more at the back. I have undone the wiper area scuttle to give easier access to the bolts.
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/16090080@N02/6268643467/sizes/z/in/photostream/)
Here you can see the two rear brackets I released in the previous photo by removing their bolts. Now I removed the four black caps on the top of the plenum and the four torx bolts underneath to remove the plenum. I could now move the whole plenum forward and gain access to the electric plug in the picture, to remove it.
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6230/6269171456_62f83cfdfd_z.jpg)
With the plenum no mobile, I could gain better access to this coolant pipe for removal. Again not much coolant loss from here. Throttle body internals needs a good clean!! Now I can take the plenum unit off the engine.
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6051/6268646111_244ce25831_z.jpg)
Plenum unit off and upturned.
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6236/6269175552_b66097ff12_z.jpg)
Rear of the EGR bridge outlet. Yellow mayo stuff in two outer pipes???
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6176/6269161862_868d7d5a62_z.jpg)
Having a break now, to read up on what to do next and post these pics up. I need to find the valve that releases the fuel pressure as well.
Any ideas on the mayo in the EGR pipes?
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Can't see an edit button??
There is a missing photo.
Next I removed three torx bolts, each holding a braket onto the plenum. You can see one removed at the front right, there are two more at the back. I have undone the wiper area scuttle to give easier access to the bolts.
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6158/6268643467_481a6b293f_z.jpg)
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There is a How Too on how to clean the breathers :)
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I think its your sixth photo where you have undone the plenum and moved it forward so you can see the top of the inlet manifold. You can see the valve to release the fuel pressure... It has a black cap over it like you have on your tyre valve.
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Cheers, yes I found the valve when I went back out.
I've read the other thread on cleaning breathers, will use that later, thanks :)
Is it possible to edit these posts?
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Is it possible to edit these posts?
No :( .............. not yet ::) :y
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Rome was not built in a day :-*
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Must admit I didn't release the fuel pressure when I did mine - just stuck the shop towel around the fittings and cracked them off..
As a bonus, the towel cleans the grease off your hands really well when you're done.. ;D
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Is it possible to edit these posts?
No :( .............. not yet ::) :y
Okey doke, no worries :y
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Her is the pressure valve, hardly noticed anything come out of it though.
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6099/6269410014_1588e15c45_z.jpg)
MY FIRST MISTAKE. No need to undo the nuts I am undoing in the picture!! Just undo the fuel unions.
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6116/6268885209_6a029758c9_z.jpg)
Undone 6 torx bolts holding the inlet manifold and used a handy magnet to lift them safely away.
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6045/6268886591_cd416dfa13_z.jpg)
With the intake now mobile, I could access the electric plug at the rear which was difficult to get at and disconnect before.
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6096/6268888221_69f5c2efea_z.jpg)
Inlet manifold off and transferred the rags into the engine intake.
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6217/6268891343_5a2403e855_z.jpg)
Undone the 10 bolts on the 1,3,5 (drivers side) rocker cover.
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6032/6269426778_e158c7b4fc_z.jpg)
And what is under that cam cover?
Please tell me the oil in the spark plug basin is not supposed to be full of oil!!
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6236/6269428376_61ae55d651_z.jpg)
Time for a break and go and pick my daughter up from work before doing anymore.
Is that oil indicative of a failed gasket? I know it would be on a 2.5 V6, is it the same symptom on a 2.6 V6?
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One more for now.
Showing the rocker cover as well.
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6170/6269408648_8e920a1a2a_z.jpg)
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Yes that is due to the cam cover gaskets mate :y eventually wold damage your coil packs :-[
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There is two longer bolts that hold down the coil packs, that way you can remove the coil packs first instead of trying to pull the lot out at once. :y
People do things different ways however so whatever works for you :y
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Ditto to what DLK said.
I notice you left the coil packs attached to the rocker covers - that may cause you a problem when you come to refit them ;) You'll want to separate the two.. which can be tricky and probably much easier with the rocker cover still bolted to something immobile (like the engine).
Careful if you have to lever, though, the edge of the coil packs can be brittle and you don't want to chew them up too badly.
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Darnit, DLK snuck something in there while I was typing.. >:( :D
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Yep - oil in plug wells indicates failed camcover gaskets,ususally caused by blocked breathers.Looking at your pics,the breathers and throttle body havent seencarb cleaner for quite a while.That will be the cause of your troubles.Mayo in breather pipes,I would imagine same cause as mayo in oil filler neck - short journeys,particularily in this colder weather.GM 10/40 semi seems to be the best oil for keeping it to a minimum.A good motorway blast once in a while also helps clear the mayo.
Clean the breathers at least once a year (preferably twice imo) to ensure your new camcover gaskets dont go the same way as your old ones. And dont forget - only tighten the covers down to 8nm - which isnt very tight at all. :y
I find wynns carb/injector cleaner aerosol is best for cleaning the breathers etc. Looking at the state of yours,you will probably need 2 cans. ;)
Nice write up youve done as you went along btw.Im sure some of those pics and accomanying script could be used for a maintenance guide of some sort. :y
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There is two longer bolts that hold down the coil packs, that way you can remove the coil packs first instead of trying to pull the lot out at once. :y
People do things different ways however so whatever works for you :y
I'll try that with the other bank, thanks.
Never done this before so this way is my first way, lol. ;)
Also I DID DISCONNECT THE BATTERY NEGATIVE BEFORE AYTHING ELSE. VERY IMPORTANT.
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Yep - oil in plug wells indicates failed camcover gaskets,ususally caused by blocked breathers.Looking at your pics,the breathers and throttle body havent seencarb cleaner for quite a while.That will be the cause of your troubles.Mayo in breather pipes,I would imagine same cause as mayo in oil filler neck - short journeys,particularily in this colder weather.GM 10/40 semi seems to be the best oil for keeping it to a minimum.A good motorway blast once in a while also helps clear the mayo.
Clean the breathers at least once a year (preferably twice imo) to ensure your new camcover gaskets dont go the same way as your old ones. And dont forget - only tighten the covers down to 8nm - which isnt very tight at all. :y
I find wynns carb/injector cleaner aerosol is best for cleaning the breathers etc. Looking at the state of yours,you will probably need 2 cans. ;)
Nice write up youve done as you went along btw.Im sure some of those pics and accomanying script could be used for a maintenance guide of some sort. :y
Cheers Albs, thank you for the advice. Will do the EGR cleaning tomorrow.
I thought it would be good to do a how to as there is only information for the 2.5 V6. That has been very helpful and I'm grateful for the person who took pics for that one. But there are a few differences with the two V6's which can be compared with both 'how to's' together.
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Ditto to what DLK said.
I notice you left the coil packs attached to the rocker covers - that may cause you a problem when you come to refit them ;) You'll want to separate the two.. which can be tricky and probably much easier with the rocker cover still bolted to something immobile (like the engine).
Careful if you have to lever, though, the edge of the coil packs can be brittle and you don't want to chew them up too badly.
Which bit is the coil pack? The middle part that fits above the spark plugs?
I have now separated this from the cover.
Have to go out now.
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Which bit is the coil pack? The middle part that fits above the spark plugs?
I have now separated this from the cover.
Yep - that's the part I was referring to :) As DLK alluded to (and I'd forgotten) you can take the bolts out that hold it down (the long slender ones) and screw the slightly larger plenum bolts into the resulting holes - these are big enough that they thread into the coil pack but not the head below it, and let you pull on them to remove the coil pack. Neat idea on GMs part, that.
Anyway - good going :) It'll be much healthier for the car not having those little lakes of oil in the plug wells! :)
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Deuce - do you have a torque wrench which goes down to 8nm ? If not I have one here you can borrow. :y
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Deuce - do you have a torque wrench which goes down to 8nm ? If not I have one here you can borrow. :y
Everyone knows 8nm is "one white pinky knuckle", Albs.. ;) ;D
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Just a little something Deuce.. You have mentioned EGR a few times, what are you refering too ?
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Darnit, DLK snuck something in there while I was typing.. >:( :D
Sorry mate it won't happen again :D
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Deuce - do you have a torque wrench which goes down to 8nm ? If not I have one here you can borrow. :y
Is there such a thing.
I have two and will have a look tomorrow. :)
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Just a little something Deuce.. You have mentioned EGR a few times, what are you refering too ?
I mean the black unit bolted to the top of the plenum, the pipes with it. the pipes that come off it and the unit behind the 1.3.5 head. Not sure if there is more.
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Got diverted by a football match :)
The other rocker cover was a bit more fiddly. Just managed to move the cable trunking out the way enough to get the bigger bolts into the coil pack and remove that first. What a great idea!!
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6057/6269725479_b3eae384bd_z.jpg)
Just as much oil in the spark plug basins as the other head!!
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6114/6270257978_40e6ef062d_z.jpg)
All ready to clean and rebuild tomorrow.
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6216/6270260742_8d835d3b2a_z.jpg)
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Another question.
This EGR block behind 1, 3, 5, Does the smaller pipe just pull off? I tried and it wouldn't budge and wondered if there is a clip lower down.
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6212/6270263556_ea52e42057_z.jpg)
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Ah - that's not an EGR system, it's a crank case breather system ;) (I know why DLK asked; the 2.6 & 3.2 don't have EGR valves, only the earlier V6 engines do)
Unfortunately I don't know if there's a clip on that pipe - I didn't get quite that far down into mine :-[ :-[ the little rubber pipes do tend to weld themselves on with heat & time, though :-\
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Ah - that's not an EGR system, it's a crank case breather system ;) (I know why DLK asked; the 2.6 & 3.2 don't have EGR valves, only the earlier V6 engines do)
Unfortunately I don't know if there's a clip on that pipe - I didn't get quite that far down into mine :-[ :-[ the little rubber pipes do tend to weld themselves on with heat & time, though :-\
:'( See what I mean about my terminology on modern engines ;)
Crankcase breather system, is what I meant :y
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The small breather pipe that goes to the rear breatherbox doesn't usually have a clip, but over time seems to weld itself. Using a flat screwdriver prise the pipe up off the nipple. When you do remove this small pipe there is a tiny hole that blocks up easily when oil changes have not been regular, this hole needs cleaning out. Also the big pipe next to it needs removing "The Y Breather Pipe" then cleaning the hole on that too..
Once you have cleaned these holes out, and the black breather on the top of the plenum with ECO TEC on it, these breathers should be kept clean by changing the oil regular, this will also stop you Cam Cover Gaskets from leaking too.
If you can imagine running up the road with a pair of socks in your mouth.... This is what your cars is like when the breathers are blocked, so it blows the Cam Cover Gaskets.
Hope that makes sense
Daz :)
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Got that pipe off ok, have cleaned out the small hole in the small pipe, cleaned out the larger hole, the black unit on top of the plenum, inside the plenum and the throttle body. Took the spark plugs out (they are NGK) fitted the new gaskets, put sealant in the right places, put it back together.
But before I bolt the plenum down.
I have a rubber pipe, the bore size is between the two middle pipes at the back of the plenum. But I can't see anywhere it belongs. Been through my pictures and did not remove this pipe.
It seems to go down towards the gearbox in the middle somewhere, it's clean inside so must be a vacuum hose.
Any ideas?
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That could well be the gearbox breather hose (assuming automatic gearbox) which should just be clipped or tied up out of the way at the back of the engine..
If you post a picture of the offending pipe, someone will confirm, I'm sure :)
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Gearbox breather pipe.Doesnt connect to anything.Keep iy up high so it doesnt syphon the ATF, but keep the nd of it pointed down so water cant get in. :y
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Yep, I have an automatic gearbox.
I'll take a picture in a while and put it up.
Cheers. :y
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Gearbox breather pipe.Doesnt connect to anything.Keep iy up high so it doesnt syphon the ATF, but keep the nd of it pointed down so water cant get in. :y
Brill, I'll do that.
It's had me scratching my head for the last hour and a couple of fags!!!
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Here is the small pipe on the crankcase vent block behind 1,3,5. I unblocked it with a safety pin
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6040/6273021825_a5baa9d071_z.jpg)
The bigger pipe.
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6055/6273023941_59c9d86922_z.jpg)
I took of the throttle body and separated the front vent bridge unit from the rear.
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6037/6273026973_d0a414c685_z.jpg)
The pipes in the front half of the bridge.
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6233/6273029743_9f4f2d7a01_z.jpg)
The pipes in the rear half of the bridge. Facing the sunlight to see it better.
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6035/6273031955_0de91ba24d_z.jpg)
I used two cans of carb cleaner, gunk , WD40, White spirits and a hose pipe to blast water through as well and got the pipes all clean, also did the inside of the plenum and throttle body.
I got as much oil out of the spark plug wells and removed them, cleaned them and refitted. Picture shows them removed.
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6228/6273038539_2e07690201_z.jpg)
This is the spare pipe I found. I've left it high up, but bent downward at the top as advised.
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6110/6273571914_f253ca99cf_z.jpg)
Back to the start with cleaner throttles.
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6235/6273016139_7782733af4_z.jpg)
Took the car for a 10 mile drive and it feels smoother and quieter and kick down feels faster and.......louder!
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What I found when I did the passenger side cam cover were solid (like plastic) O rings and the old gasket snapped as I took it out in several places. There was no evidence that sealant had been used previously either.
That and the blocked breathers makes me wonder if the timing belt and tensioner have been done at all, as I was told both the belt and gaskets were done recently. ::)
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You need to remove the black Eco Tec piece as there are 4 holes in there to clean as well ;)
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If in doubt do the Cambelt mate :)
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That breather system looks like it may never have been cleaned out.In a shocking state. :o
Not surprised the car runs better now. ;)
That pipe is deffo the gear box breather pipe. :y.......looks like you did a very good (and much needed) job there,well done. :y
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You need to remove the black Eco Tec piece as there are 4 holes in there to clean as well ;)
I tried to lever it up, but it wouldn't budge and I didn't want to force it. I've seen the thread on how to do a 2.5 V6 and wondered if the 2.6 Eco Tec part came off the same or not?
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That breather system looks like it may never have been cleaned out.In a shocking state. :o
Not surprised the car runs better now. ;)
That pipe is deffo the gear box breather pipe. :y.......looks like you did a very good (and much needed) job there,well done. :y
Cheers mate :y
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What Pete said. :y wont take long, but will finish the job off properly. ;)
If you dont have proof the cambelt kit has been done within service interval,do it asap. :y
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If in doubt do the Cambelt mate :)
Yep, I think so.
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You need to remove the black Eco Tec piece as there are 4 holes in there to clean as well ;)
I tried to lever it up, but it wouldn't budge and I didn't want to force it. I've seen the thread on how to do a 2.5 V6 and wondered if the 2.6 Eco Tec part came off the same or not?
IIRC there is a thin plastic cover clipped onto the main plastic breather unit. The cover has to be prised off before you can get to the bolt that holds the breather unit on.
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Yep. :y............one torx bolt underneath it.
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Ok Thank you.
I'll try getting it off again :y
Just ordered the V6 cambelt DVD and will sort out a locking tool.
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Got my DVD and it is very good, thanks OOF.
Won a timing locking tool kit from the Bay and waiting for it's arrival.
Got the ECO bridge unit apart this weekend and cleaned up the holes underneath.
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6043/6292058481_80589935b8_z.jpg)
Nice and clean again.
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6059/6292583258_55d8eaca8b_z.jpg)
I want to fit a new rubber grommet thing over that part I cleaned as the exsisting one was sqaushed on one side and a part of it seems to be missing. I want the o rings as well, if I am going to take it apart again I might as well change them too.
What do I ask for at VX?
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What do I ask for at VX?
They'll get their screen up with EPC on it, and you point to what you want & say I'll have 1 of those & 4 of those please! :y :y :y
I think the relevant part number are in the guide to cleaning the breathers. :-\
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Are we not reading the guides?
The breather cleaning one lists the part numbers and tell you ahd to get the breather bridge off etc......
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Are we not reading the guides?
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Give him a break, he's only been here for 53 posts ;) ;) ;)
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Cheers guys.
I didn't think the 2.5 engine would have the same numbers as the 2.6, so asked the question here.