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[kcl]

IMHO the mayo on the filler neck is quite normal. The oil around the lower pulley is most likely leaking from oil pressure sender (which is easy and cheap to fix).

[Koomorph]

Ok, thanks guys, putting my mind slightly at ease now...

I thought the oil by the pulleys may have also been from the cam gaskets.. If you look at the other picture, the side of the cam cover has a lot of oil. Might I have two leaks then!

[Koomorph]

A couple more bits regarding this if people could give me some pointers:

1) Been trying to find some info on here regarding the oil pressure sender posted by kcl above - can't seem to find any info... can anyone point me in the right direction regarding this?

2) Also, when I spoke to VX about getting the rocker cover gaskets, the parts guy mentioned that the mayo in the oil filler neck could be due to a failed heat exchanger... does that sound right? Or does he mean failed HBV?

3) Although I hope it isn't HGF, if it was, would this in any way contribute to failure of the cam gaskets? I don't want to go changing the cam gaskets only to find out that they fail again shortly after because of HGF is causing a knock on effect making the cam gaskets fail.... Or would these two problems be totally unrelated and cam gasket failure is ONLY as a result of breathers getting blocked?

Thanks for the advice again!
Raf

[Andy H]

A couple more bits regarding this if people could give me some pointers:

1) Been trying to find some info on here regarding the oil pressure sender posted by kcl above - can't seem to find any info... can anyone point me in the right direction regarding this?What was the question? The oil pressure switch (I don't think it as a sender) is in the side of the oil pump housing on the front of the block. They can leak through the body of the switch. If the switch is overtightened then the aluminium pump housing can be damaged.

2) Also, when I spoke to VX about getting the rocker cover gaskets, the parts guy mentioned that the mayo in the oil filler neck could be due to a failed heat exchanger... does that sound right? Or does he mean failed HBV?
AKA oil cooler. Lives in a recess in the vee under the inlet manifold. My 2.6 had a new one fitted just before I bought it in September because the original failed

3) Although I hope it isn't HGF, if it was, would this in any way contribute to failure of the cam gaskets? I don't want to go changing the cam gaskets only to find out that they fail again shortly after because of HGF is causing a knock on effect making the cam gaskets fail.... Or would these two problems be totally unrelated and cam gasket failure is ONLY as a result of breathers getting blocked?
Cam cover gaskets seem to fail due to combination of hardening through age and pressurisation of the crankcase. If you did have a failed HG then you would have either coolant running down the back of the block or the cooling system be pressurised. Failed HG on the V6 don't seem to cause mayo.

Thanks for the advice again!
Raf

[Koomorph]

Thanks Andy, so as far as I can tell, not only should  replace the cam gaskets which seem to be leaking, but also possibly the oil pressure switch. Are there any guides to changing the oil pressure switch on here?

The oil cooler as far as I'm aware accoridng to the replacement guide on here - if it were failing - would give the result of oil in the coolant - which doesn't seem to be the case here. However, could a failed oil cooler result in oil leaking as per my pictures (around the engine) rather than oil in the coolant?

Any other way to narrow it down to being a failed oil cooler rather than the cam gaskets (or just the cam gaskets)?

Many thanks again
Raf

[Andy H]

Cam gaskets are a very common failure. They make a mess and can leave a puddle of oil on top of the oil pan in front of the engine.

I haven't changed the oil pressure switch on an Omega, I have done on an old Viva and on a Triumph motorbike (because it was leaking). In both cases they just screwed in. I can't remember whether they used a copper washer or a smear of sealant but it was important not to overtighten them.

If the oil cooler fails you will get a filthy mess in the header tank as engine oil gets pumped into the cooling circuit. When the engine is off (but still hot) pressurised coolant will find its way into the lubrication system (which will cause mayo).

From the pictures you posted you have leaking cam gaskets. No big problem, clean out the breathers and fit genuine new cam gaskets before looking for more expensive problems to fix.

HTH

[albitz]

The guy at VX is talking out of his @rse regarding the heat exchanger (oil cooler) if this fails you will have lots of creamy mayo in your coolant header tank.
As already sais,the mayo in the filler neck is not something to be unduly concerned bout.
HG problem wouldnt be connected to camcover gasket leakage - that is caused by blocked breathers, which in turn is caused by oil change intervals being stretched too far, should be a maximum of 5000 miles.HTH.

[Koomorph]

OK, thanks gents - have been in touch with Robsey from this forum who has agreed to help me with the breathers and cam gasket change. Will do this as soon as the weather improves a bit!

Thanks again!
Raf