Posted on 20/02/2009 by WillT

This fix applies to both the NA and the VXT but seems more relevant to the VXT. On track days the gearbox can get very hot and 'breath' oil out (as it is supposed to do). However this oil has to go somewhere and it ends up on your nearside rear tyre - not good for grip.

So what is needed is a breather pipe. Now there is a Vauxhall approved fit (for a Vectra, we share the same gearbox) which involves a breather plug, pipe etc but in the meantime here is a DIY fix.

First, where is it? Its the small cap just at the bottom left of the gearbox just above the selectors:

Remove the plastic cap and then using a length of fuel hose and jubilee clip attach the fuel hose to the breather pipe (clean it first with degreaser).

Then loop the pipe around behind the loom to ensure it doesn't touch the gear selectors:

Then crimp a piece of pipe line together so that there is an air hole (you don't want it sealed - its a breather after all) but so that nothing else can get down the pipe:

Job done. Thanks once again to mark at AmD for the help and again to Ady at Palmersport for explaining it all.