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[CHRIS Dewey]

I need to replace my rocker covers on the car at the moment got plastic ones on but been told I can put alloy ones of a vectra on if the engine code is the same is this true ?

[albitz]

Its not recomended to replace with metal ones.It just moves the problem (oil leaking due to blocked breathers) from the camcovers to the crank seal,which is much harder to fix.Why do you say you need to replace the covers.Its more likely the gaskets that need replacing.

[feeutfo]

Unless the plastic covers are damaged, just fit GENUINE gaskets and o rings with the relevant black goo. The type of cover is not relevant to the oil leak. The seals are.

If fitting vectra covers be aware the oil filler will be under the fuel lines on the omega, making access fiddly at best. Plus there's a risk of blowing the crank seals if the breathers block.

[CHRIS Dewey]

I've replaced the gaskets 6 times in 2 years there is a crack on the cover for genuin ones there a dealer part only at £140 a piece I've already got some alloy ones but was not sure if they would go straight on I can get recon plastic ones for £30 do I get it done or put up with the oil leak and smoking !

[ffcgary1]

You say you have replaced them 6-7 times in the last couple of years, have you used genine gm parts, if not then that is where your problem starts, only use gen gm gaskets and o rings, tork them down to no more than 5-6 nm on the tork wrench, even so you could also have blocked breathers that are causing your seals to blow, as said do not fit vectra covers.
They will cause you even more greif, clean the breather system and make sure they are fitted correctly.

If your covers are cracked then they have been tightned down by someone a bit ham fisted.
get some s/h cam covers and refit with new seals

[omega3000]

I've replaced the gaskets 6 times in 2 years there is a crack on the cover for genuin ones there a dealer part only at £140 a piece I've already got some alloy ones but was not sure if they would go straight on I can get recon plastic ones for £30 do I get it done or put up with the oil leak and smoking !

Where they genuine vx gaskets

Breathers will need thoroughly cleaned before you start 

[Big_Al]

As above  . . .  fully clean breathers first before fitting new gaskets  . . then new GM gaskets & o rings along with black GM sealant .

If you did not clean breathers when you have changed gaskets before that is your problem .

 Blocked breathers =   leaking cam covers . Just follow the maintenance guides for breather clean & cam cover gasket change. all part numbers are listed .

IMO & many others on here don't use pattern gaskets they will fail in a very short time . Genuine only for these parts

[feeutfo]

I've replaced the gaskets 6 times in 2 years there is a crack on the cover for genuin ones there a dealer part only at £140 a piece I've already got some alloy ones but was not sure if they would go straight on I can get recon plastic ones for £30 do I get it done or put up with the oil leak and smoking !

ok if you have a damaged plastic cam cover then it needs to be replaced.
But the gaskets are a separate part, and it's the gasket seals and goo that keeps the oil in.

The metal covers will work fine as will the plastic ones provided you use genuine gaskets o rings and sealant... And the breathers are clear to relieve crankcase pressure or it WILL blow the crank seals.

[dbug]

You say you have replaced them 6-7 times in the last couple of years, have you used genine gm parts, if not then that is where your problem starts, only use gen gm gaskets and o rings, tork them down to no more than 5-6 nm on the tork wrench, even so you could also have blocked breathers that are causing your seals to blow, as said do not fit vectra covers.
They will cause you even more greif, clean the breather system and make sure they are fitted correctly.

If your covers are cracked then they have been tightned down by someone a bit ham fisted.
get some s/h cam covers and refit with new seals

8Nm mate

[CHRIS Dewey]

I already have the alloy ones and am awear the oil filler caps position. If it gets done proper cleaned breathers etc how long could it be befor they cause more problems ?

[tunnie]

I already have the alloy ones and am awear the oil filler caps position. If it gets done proper cleaned breathers etc how long could it be befor they cause more problems ?

This is the big question, if using a garage, more than likely is no, it won't be done right.

How long will it be before crank seal goes? How long is a piece of string? 

[CHRIS Dewey]

Yea it's a garage but my pal works there and he is doing the work for me but what problems would I have putting alloy ones on rather than plastic and also do the orings need to be new or can the ones of the plastic cover be used ?

[tunnie]

Yea it's a garage but my pal works there and he is doing the work for me but what problems would I have putting alloy ones on rather than plastic and also do the orings need to be new or can the ones of the plastic cover be used ?

In a nutshel, the crank seal will blow rather than the cam cover gasket.

Pressure can build up easily in the crank, be it due to poor oil servicing, blocked breathers and so on. With plastic covers, genuine gaskets and the right sealant, along with good oil services, you are looking easily at 100k / 5 years.

Its also a lot easier to change a cam cover gasket, than crank seal.

If you are going to the hassle and expense of having metal covers fit it, sell the metal ones, buy the correct components and keep plastic ones   

[CHRIS Dewey]

I would need to get plastic ones as the current ones have a little crack on the edge of if but unsure if that is causing the problem may be I've been getting after market gaskets !

[tunnie]

I would need to get plastic ones as the current ones have a little crack on the edge of if but unsure if that is causing the problem may be I've been getting after market gaskets !

Your pissing in the wind before you've even started then, plenty of breakers here will have good cam covers, for not much money I suspect.

Try a PM to RobG, Albs, LooKnee and so on, see who has a set going.

Also use AndyC, he is a parts manager at a Vauxhall Dealer, he will get you a better price than trade club for all the right bits you need.

Also suggest doing the job yourself or get one of resident mobile mechanics in, as they will do a much better job.