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[GaryBC]

I did a gasket change at the weekend and, so as to not have to break off half way through, I bought the gaskets in advance.

Using Euro Car Parts, and entering the reg of my car, came up with a part number - which I duly ordered. This was the result....http://s989.photobucket.com/albums/af14/GaryBC/Omega%20Pics/?action=view&current=Gaskets.jpg

As you can see - VERY different from the gaskets I needed!

If the "Registration Finder" gives errors such as this it is evidently not foolproof. So if anyone knows a way - before starting the job - of establishing which gaskets to get, maybe they could post that info here to save others making the mistake I did?

At the very least it as extremely annoying! Had I been running an hour or so later (when my local Vx parts department had shut for the weekend) it would have been a "stop job" until they opened again Monday morning!

Cheers,
Gaz

[zirk]

Recommendations on here are that you use proper Vx parts and the correct sealent for this job. Glad to here its sorted anyway. 

[TheBoy]

DONT use pattern cam cover gaskets.  They are universally shite

[GaryBC]

I agree. But a lot of places (including some online sites offering genuine Vx parts) use the "Car Reg Finder" system to identify the car - an therefore the 'correct' part.

If this is an externally supplied service it obviously has flaws - which anyone using it (including the Vx dealerships) could be caught out by. So using a dealer may not guarantee the correct part if that dealer uses the reg finder!

So are there any tell-tale indicators - visible without removing any components - that will identify which of the two gasket styles is fitted?

(I've done mine so I now know which ones I need, this is to help out the next  poor sod who may fall into the same trap!!)

[TheBoy]

I agree. But a lot of places (including some online sites offering genuine Vx parts) use the "Car Reg Finder" system to identify the car - an therefore the 'correct' part.

If this is an externally supplied service it obviously has flaws - which anyone using it (including the Vx dealerships) could be caught out by. So using a dealer may not guarantee the correct part if that dealer uses the reg finder!

So are there any tell-tale indicators - visible without removing any components - that will identify which of the two gasket styles is fitted?

(I've done mine so I now know which ones I need, this is to help out the next  poor sod who may fall into the same trap!!)

The dealer WILL supply the correct part, as his system does correctly list them (assuming he can read, and you're not ordering 3.0l crank sensors ).  You will find that it is likely the manufacturer of the pattern part incorrectly lists what it fits.

[Liam]

So are there any tell-tale indicators - visible without removing any components - that will identify which of the two gasket styles is fitted?

As far as I'm aware, no omegas are fitted with the 'other' style of seals. They must be for vectra V6 which uses different (metal) rocker covers.

[GaryBC]

The dealer I phoned and spoke to confidently located the correct part (although by then I knew what it looked like so was able to confirm he would be supplying the right part).

It is the online dealerships I'm thinking of here. You type in your reg, search (by name) for what you want, and the site returns a part number.

[TheBoy]

The dealer I phoned and spoke to confidently located the correct part (although by then I knew what it looked like so was able to confirm he would be supplying the right part).

It is the online dealerships I'm thinking of here. You type in your reg, search (by name) for what you want, and the site returns a part number.

They are not dealerships.  Hopefully anyone selling genuine parts will have their databases up to date.

The likes of ECP often get this sort of thing wrong, but they are not alone. All the pattern suppliers tend to get the braking components wrong as well. Oh, and aux belts.

[GaryBC]

The dealer I phoned and spoke to confidently located the correct part (although by then I knew what it looked like so was able to confirm he would be supplying the right part).

It is the online dealerships I'm thinking of here. You type in your reg, search (by name) for what you want, and the site returns a part number.

They are not dealerships.  Hopefully anyone selling genuine parts will have their databases up to date.

The likes of ECP often get this sort of thing wrong, but they are not alone. All the pattern suppliers tend to get the braking components wrong as well. Oh, and aux belts.

Yeah! Smart-arse Gary has learnt this lesson the hard way!! I won't do it again!! I should have listened to everyone here!

[Lizzie_Zoom]

The dealer I phoned and spoke to confidently located the correct part (although by then I knew what it looked like so was able to confirm he would be supplying the right part).

It is the online dealerships I'm thinking of here. You type in your reg, search (by name) for what you want, and the site returns a part number.

They are not dealerships.  Hopefully anyone selling genuine parts will have their databases up to date.

The likes of ECP often get this sort of thing wrong, but they are not alone. All the pattern suppliers tend to get the braking components wrong as well. Oh, and aux belts.

Yeah! Smart-arse Gary has learnt this lesson the hard way!! I won't do it again!! I should have listened to everyone here!

We all learn by our mistakes Gary!!

[Liam]

Clever people learn from their mistakes.


Really clever people learn from other people's mistakes.

[Lizzie_Zoom]

Clever people learn from their mistakes.


Really clever people learn from other people's mistakes.

How very true Liam!! 

[TheBoy]

The dealer I phoned and spoke to confidently located the correct part (although by then I knew what it looked like so was able to confirm he would be supplying the right part).

It is the online dealerships I'm thinking of here. You type in your reg, search (by name) for what you want, and the site returns a part number.

They are not dealerships.  Hopefully anyone selling genuine parts will have their databases up to date.

The likes of ECP often get this sort of thing wrong, but they are not alone. All the pattern suppliers tend to get the braking components wrong as well. Oh, and aux belts.

Yeah! Smart-arse Gary has learnt this lesson the hard way!! I won't do it again!! I should have listened to everyone here!

Trouble is, Supplier ABC will make brake pads and say they are for Omegas 94-97 (though they may only be for 2.0l cars), and XYZ supplier say they make pads for Omegas for 94-03 Omegas (and assume that all pre 97 cars are v6).  Then you can see where all the confusion in their databases start.

[TheBoy]

I have the same issue trying to get cambelt kits for my early Rover 25.

All the 'lookup' books say its a 1999 K series, which it is, but K series changed partway through 1999. So they reckon mine takes the older belt.

[GaryBC]

Clever people learn from their mistakes.


Really clever people learn from other people's mistakes.

As I evidently fit into the former category I guess I'm almost "really clever"!! 

But so long as we all learn, eh?