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Author Topic: V6 Cam cover question  (Read 3585 times)

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Darryl Flynn

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V6 Cam cover question
« on: 19 October 2006, 21:14:39 »
Hi,
        i finally made a start on replacing these gaskets on my 99 2.5 V6 tonight. The plug wells were full to the top with oil. When i removed the covers i could find no trace of the small o rings that are supposed to sit under the fixing bolts. Is it possible that they have disintegrated or might the covers have been off before and these o rings not fitted.They are definitely not in the head casting and the covers  dont seem to have them stuck to it.

Why are  these cam covers such a design fault and how the hell does the car run with so much oil around the plugs? The designers should have been shot for this .

I have new gaskets, proper sealant and will fit new plugs at the same time as well as a replacement HBV. Breathers will be done

I just hope to god that they dont leak after this much effort.  :-/

Is there any advantage using the metal covers from the Vectra ?


Just hope it doesnt end in tears.

Darryl
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Darryl

TheBoy

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Re: V6 Cam cover question
« Reply #1 on: 19 October 2006, 21:19:52 »
Its not a design fault.

They fail due to blocked breathers. That is a service problem...
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Darryl Flynn

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Re: V6 Cam cover question
« Reply #2 on: 19 October 2006, 21:26:39 »
In over 35 years of motoring i have never seen as much documented evidence where the cam / rocker gaskets fail as frequently on a car !

Servicing ? maybe.

Bad Design , including the breather system?  certainly!

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Markjay

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Re: V6 Cam cover question
« Reply #3 on: 20 October 2006, 01:35:39 »
Apparently due to the fact that Vx compacted 4 cams into the V6, the cam cover gaskets are very thin and prone to give-in to over pressure from blocked breathers.

Bad design? maybe. Better the the Rover K-series head gaskets though... see:
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=%22rover+k-series%22+%22head+gasket+failure%22&btnG=Search&meta=


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wigan pier

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Re: V6 Cam cover question
« Reply #4 on: 20 October 2006, 03:29:59 »
Quote
Apparently due to the fact that Vx compacted 4 cams into the V6, the cam cover gaskets are very thin and prone to give-in to over pressure from blocked breathers.

Bad design? maybe. Better the the Rover K-series head gaskets though... see:
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=%22rover+k-series%22+%22head+gasket+failure%22&btnG=Search&meta=



Try the rover T16 head gasket..I also have a vitesse turbo with the T16 engine and boy is that a pain...great car when all is well but the head gasket is very prone to oil leaks due to the placement of the main oilway being right on the front edge of the block..bad bad design! the only plus is that it's ok to work on.. ::)
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Marks DTM Calib

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Re: V6 Cam cover question
« Reply #5 on: 20 October 2006, 12:05:10 »
Leaking cam/rocker cover hgaskets are not unusual.....seen it on many car of many different makes.....
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theolodian

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Re: V6 Cam cover question
« Reply #6 on: 20 October 2006, 12:13:20 »
Quote
Leaking cam/rocker cover hgaskets are not unusual.....seen it on many car of many different makes.....
Apparently a few Audi 2.7T's have even caught fire . . .  :o
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Darryl Flynn

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Re: V6 Cam cover question
« Reply #7 on: 20 October 2006, 17:24:01 »
Done, ;D
              to say my back hurts is an understatement.

Both cam covers sorted, new HBV and a new set of plugs and breathers totally stripped as per Mr McB's instructions.

Hope everything is okay. Time and a few miles will tell
« Last Edit: 20 October 2006, 17:34:42 by Darryl_Flynn »
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Darryl

TheBoy

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Re: V6 Cam cover question
« Reply #8 on: 20 October 2006, 17:26:03 »
Quote
Done, ;D
              to say my back hurts is an understatement.

Both cam covers sorted, new HBV and a new set of plugs. Hope everything is okay. Time and a few miles will tell
You did clean out the breather system, didn't you. You don't want to do it all again....
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Darryl Flynn

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Re: V6 Cam cover question
« Reply #9 on: 20 October 2006, 17:35:49 »
Yep Breathers done FULLY as per Finlay's how2. Mine were VERY clear but i still went through the FULL procedure to be on the safe side. Once is enough
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Darryl

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Re: V6 Cam cover question
« Reply #10 on: 20 October 2006, 17:46:27 »
Quote
Yep Breathers done FULLY as per Finlay's how2. Mine were VERY clear but i still went through the FULL procedure to be on the safe side. Once is enough
:y
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wigan pier

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Re: V6 Cam cover question
« Reply #11 on: 21 October 2006, 04:58:00 »
Quote
Done, ;D
              to say my back hurts is an understatement.

Both cam covers sorted, new HBV and a new set of plugs and breathers totally stripped as per Mr McB's instructions.

Hope everything is okay. Time and a few miles will tell

I hope everthing is fine for you darryl..your back was sore after you did yours..I have strained a knee ligament doing mine (done it before..but playing rugby league) so mine is on hold for now..also no driving..and that means time off work as I drive articulated trucks..it will teach me not to over stretch
in a limited space...let me know how your job  goes...(well I hope) now pain killers and back to bed..bloody cars  :)
all the best
Gord.
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Markjay

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Re: V6 Cam cover question
« Reply #12 on: 21 October 2006, 16:25:00 »
...another reason for leaky cam covers is the use of non-original gaskets, which could have been fitted at some point of time in the car's past, as some non-original gasket harden with age and no longer seal. Or if sealent compoud has been applied all along the gasket instead of just at the speficied locations...

Bad design? When I have a moment I will tel you some horror stories about Alfa-Romeo twin-cam 4-pot head removal... Apart from actually MIG welding the head to the block (both are light alloy), they have done everything possible to prevent the head from being removed. Indeed one Alfa garage said that they didn't bother... they hack saw through failed heads while they are still on the car, then take it off bit by bot and fit a new one. It's a real story. Albeit some 20 years ago....




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wigan pier

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Re: V6 Cam cover question
« Reply #13 on: 22 October 2006, 03:15:56 »
Quote
...another reason for leaky cam covers is the use of non-original gaskets, which could have been fitted at some point of time in the car's past, as some non-original gasket harden with age and no longer seal. Or if sealent compoud has been applied all along the gasket instead of just at the speficied locations...

Bad design? When I have a moment I will tel you some horror stories about Alfa-Romeo twin-cam 4-pot head removal... Apart from actually MIG welding the head to the block (both are light alloy), they have done everything possible to prevent the head from being removed. Indeed one Alfa garage said that they didn't bother... they hack saw through failed heads while they are still on the car, then take it off bit by bot and fit a new one. It's a real story. Albeit some 20 years ago....





Don't say that..I only found out not to use those AFTER I bought mine  :-[...to late now.

As for Alfa's I have had four the last one being a 164 try getting a workshop manual for one of those.. [smiley=thumbdown.gif]

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TheBoy

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Re: V6 Cam cover question
« Reply #14 on: 22 October 2006, 11:12:05 »
It certainly does appear that the GM ones are less prone to failing prematurely (assuming breathers clear) than pattern ones. Worth paying the extra imho...
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