Looks like I'm going to be doing my head gasket soon, snot showing under the oil cap. I shoved an inspection cam down the spark plug holes and the pistons/walls looked ok from the angles I could get.

Getting on with it, I'm going to replace the usual when taking the head off non-reuse bolts, I've read the cam sprockets and chain don't really fail but with 175km on the engine I figure wouldn't hurt to replace these. I haven't checked with the dealership yet on prices for the parts since I like going in with some information I found These kits on ebay with timing, balance and water pump include I'm not sure about changing out the water pump at all since it seems to be working well.

Has anyone used any of these kits? Are they on par with oem?

 

i would not touch that with a ten foot pole, especially because of how crucial it is for the engine. that would be like going skydiving with a parachute you bought off ebay for 1/3 the cost of a real one. stick with oem parts or chances are you could be in the hole for a lot more money.

 

Agreed I would get oem

 

Coming from a gm tech, stay oem or go for premium aftermarket, (ex zzp). Trust me, its worth the extra money for quality.

 

Thanks for the responses guys, after not seeing anything positive posted spent the extra money and avoided the CNS parts.

 

Used them before for my own cars and for customer cars in the shop at the Saturn dealer. Most of the kits are all made by the same company as far as the gears, guides, and chains. Its nothing that wont last as long as the original stuff. The only issue Ive ever had is the crank gear is usually a little different than the original. That's the only piece I don't use. If money is an issue going aftermarket is fine. If you have the money though, by all means get oem.