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[GPar]

Have had an ongoing problem with leaking cam cover gaskets (V6). Decided to fit Vectra ally covers to my Omega, new gaskets, thoroughly cleaned breather system as per guide on here. Went for a drive after completing job. Ok for about 30 miles then clouds of oil smoke - gasket had blown again! This time on the drivers side (was on the passenger side before). Seems to be leaking down the outside edge. Clearly there is too much pressure being built up but what do I try next? I am sure the breather system is clear from the breather box through the plenum box to the intake. Is it possible the breather box itself is partially blocked? How do I check/clean the inside of it?  

Help!

Geoff

[Marks DTM Calib]

Have had an ongoing problem with leaking cam cover gaskets (V6). Decided to fit Vectra ally covers to my Omega, new gaskets, thoroughly cleaned breather system as per guide on here. Went for a drive after completing job. Ok for about 30 miles then clouds of oil smoke - gasket had blown again! This time on the drivers side (was on the passenger side before). Seems to be leaking down the outside edge. Clearly there is too much pressure being built up but what do I try next? I am sure the breather system is clear from the breather box through the plenum box to the intake. Is it possible the breather box itself is partially blocked? How do I check/clean the inside of it?  

Help!

Geoff

Have you followed the maintenance guide on V6 breather cleaning....it runs through the full process with pics telling you what to do and check.

See here:

V6 Breather cleaning

[v6coop]

Having taken my breather box off when I discovered there was an oil leak from around the base I was staggered at how much gunge was blocking up the outlets (113K on the clock). Mine was in a similar condition to the one shown in Mark's link but even the bigger diameter outlet was completely blocked. I soaked the whole brether box in petrol to loosen everything up. You wouldn't believe what came out. The box is sealed back to the block with the grey sealant which comes in a silcone sealant type tube which is inserted into an application gun. It is not exactly easy to get to though.
Jon

[GPar]

Yes Mark, as mentioned in my post. Followed it to the letter! Genuine GM gaskets used for cam covers as well. Going to do it all again next week, what joy! Was just hoping that someone might suggest something I've missed. The guide says to clean the large pipe neck of the breather box and the small hole in the other pipe, which I've done, but what about the inside of the box itself?

Geoff  

[GPar]

Just seen your post Jon. Mine has done almost the same mileage and I don't believe the breathers have ever been cleaned. Could you explain exactly how you actually removed the breather box - looks a pain to get it out.

Thanks

Geoff

[v6coop]

Hi Geoff

I was actually replacing the transfer tube seal and the drivers side exhaust manifold gasket so I had the scuttle, induction hardware transfer pipe, heater bypass valve / hoses and manifold off when I noticed the leak so it was dead easy to get at (four torx bolts 2 to the left and 2 to the right as you look at it) Not sure what the minimum you would have to remove is but would of thought with the scuttle off you might be able to get at it if you move the HT leads and HBV hoses to one side. There is nothing to the box itself as far as I could see, just a couple of chambers (one of which has a rubber one way flap valve covering it) there are baffles in it which prevent you seeing straight through to the outlets though. I would have thought though that if you have cleaned the connectors according to the guidance it is unlikely to still be blocked internally. Most of the crud was in the part where the tubes push on.
One other possibility is if the cylinder bores are worn and the crankcase is pressurising due to the compressed gasses blowing by the piston rings but I would have thought you would be burning a lot of oil if this is happening.

Jon

[GPar]

Thanks Jon. Will have a go at removing it. Engine is fine, not burning oil just leaking it!

Anyone else got any suggestions what else I can check as I will have to do the cam gasket/breather cleaning job all over again anyway?

Geoff

[Elite Pete]

Have you used the correct sealant and put it in the right places?

[amba]

Suspect if it is only leaking in 1 place might have trapped the gasket or not got it tight in the groove of the cover.As ElitePete said did you use the correct black VX sealant and put it on the sharp turns .I doubt if you have cleaned out the breather system that it is down to pressure build up..more likley seal issues.I would have not expected the metal covers to leak unles  you had extreme pressure inside and then may well apear in other areas first.
Assume you totally cleaned the black Ecotech breather box and had no restriction from any pipes when blew down.

[GPar]

Thanks chaps. Yes, used the genuine Vauxhall black sealant and in all the places shown in Haynes and in the guide on here. Pretty sure I didn't trap a gasket, the Vectra gaskets are much more substantial and sit very snugly in the groove. However I'm going to have that side off again to check. Thoroughly cleaned out ecotec bit (but will do it again). All pipes were blowing through although the smaller ones are more resticted ....because the holes they exit from are very small. I assume this is normal. Carb cleaner squirted down the pipes ran freely out of the two small holes. What's worrying me is that the escape of oil happened when the engine was under load (going up hill), quite hot, and after I had already travelled about 40 miles. It was a sudden burst out of oil straight on to the hot exhaust with clouds of smoke. I wiped away the spilt oil and have driven the car on a few short journeys since and its now not leaking! This surely has to be a pressure thing doesn't it?

Geoff

[Albatross]

Thanks chaps. Yes, used the genuine Vauxhall black sealant and in all the places shown in Haynes and in the guide on here. Pretty sure I didn't trap a gasket, the Vectra gaskets are much more substantial and sit very snugly in the groove. However I'm going to have that side off again to check. What's worrying me is that the escape of oil happened when the engine was under load (going up hill), quite hot, and after I had already travelled about 40 miles. It was a sudden burst out of oil straight on to the hot exhaust with clouds of smoke. I wiped away the spilt oil and have driven the car on a few short journeys since and its now not leaking! This surely has to be a pressure thing doesn't it?

Geoff

I'd have to agree with your reasoning and it does make sense, but havng read all the posts above I can't see how. You need the advice of JamesV6CDX

[feeutfo]

is it poss. the oil way returning to the sump is blocked or restricted? Are all the o-ring gaskits accounted for from previous cam covers?I have seen posts on engine oil flush(if done) causing blocked oil ways, is it poss?
stab in the dark this one. no idea how the oil ways work. so go easy.