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[dbug]

As you know I fitted pattern gaskets to one bank and GM to other on the '03 2.6V6 Estate as a comparison -

At last cam covers done today.  Gaskets and o-rings were brittle, with 5 of the 6 plug wells full of oil - suprised car was running ok with no misfires!!

Drivers bank fitted with Payen gasket set from allgermanparts and gm o-rings, and passenger bank fitted with a gm gasket set and gm o-rings.  As stated before

the Payen set feels as supple and pliable as the gm set, and the fit to the cam cover was same for both types.

Time will tell!! - will update Payen performance vs gm as mileage increases

Plug wells cleaned out, coil packs cleaned up, and new plugs fitted - still got a smoke screen when started up, but cleared reasonably quickly.

Update - the AGP ones that cost around a fiver have been on the "drivers bank" now for around 16K miles - fitted together with a new set of GM

gaskets (which I had "in stock" and cost me £25 when I bought them) on the "passenger bank".  No leakage to date from either bank - in fact just serviced the

car so checked carefully - and in 16K miles only needed to top up engine oil once (after 15K) with around 1/4 pint!  Engine and drive both dry.

Both gaskets fitted using new GM o-rings and black sealant - niether bank was torqued, just tightened from middle out in stages by feel (experience).  All bolts

checked during recent service for continued tightness & all ok.

HTH

Car has now done approx 25K miles since gasket & o-ring change - no leakage from either bank and all plug wells clean.  No oil added since last oil change 8K milews ago.  Cam cover bolts checked for tightness - none loosened.  25K to date for a £5 gasket, and still going strong.  Seems cost effective to date vs the pricey GM ones.  Will continue to monitor whilst still owned.

Mileage now on 127K miles.

Thinking of selling soon, no mechanical issues, bodywork rust free but scruffy - for an '03 CD Estate, not £3K, nor £2K, more realistically nearer sub £1K - reason for sale will be due to purchase of a newer similar sized Estate.  Will put in "For Sale" section when replacement located and purchased.

[annihilator]

good to know,thanks for the update 
John.

[TheBoy]

Great feedback dbug

Did they have a name, as I'm guessing that AGP will have a selection of suppliers, based on cost and availability?

[TheBoy]

Doh, reread, saw Payen

[Lazydocker]

Could we finally have an alternative to GM?

And when I've got a set, complete with I rings in stock too!

[johnnydog]

Payen are a well established manufacturer of head gasket sets etc; especially known in older / classic cars club circles. Many old school machine shops used to stock Payen for their engine / cylinder head rebuilds. No reason to think that their gaskets / seals for more modern cars are anything but excellent quality.

[terry paget]

As said before, I reckon as long as the breathers are clear any old gasket will do, 'cos all they do is stop air sucking in, not oil blowing out. I bought a 2.6 last summer with leaking cam cover gaskets and a Leader LSC gasket set in the boot. I cleared the breathers, fitted it and it's OK so far.

[TheBoy]

As said before, I reckon as long as the breathers are clear any old gasket will do, 'cos all they do is stop air sucking in, not oil blowing out. I bought a 2.6 last summer with leaking cam cover gaskets and a Leader LSC gasket set in the boot. I cleared the breathers, fitted it and it's OK so far.

The problem being that a lot of the pattern ones from a few years back go rock hard very quickly, breaking what little seal there was.

So whilst keeping breather clear is essential - and quite regular for those doing short journeys or those that foolishly use Castrol oils - the gasket needs to remain soft and plyable over its life.

[tunnie]

I think I'll give these a go on the 3.2, when it's dead lifter is changed. 

[GastronomicKleptomaniac]

Good feedback dbug, , thank you! I have a set of Victor Reinz ones waiting to go on the MV6 so will report back about those... £25 including O rings

[EMD]

Thanks for update dbug 

[Webby the Bear]

My £5 set from eBay have just had to be renewed. After year and half and 10k miles.

I'd suggest 10k miles isn't that great. However I'd acknowledge that I didn't keep up with cleaning the breathers. The y pipe was blocked with lots of crap.

Also worth noting the gaskets were brittle as fook. And if the breathers being blocked didn't kill them it would soon have been because of them being brittle.

New ones fitted. Went for Elring at £12+ vat from Andrew Page. Will try and keep breathers clean from now on

[dbug]

No apologies for digging this old post up, just felt it should continue to be updated.

Now done approx 30K since both cam cover gaskets renewed - both sides still oil tight, no sign of any leakage.  As said I never torqued the bolts, just tightened "sensibly" by feel (experience) from middle out in stages - these have all been recently checked for tightness and are all still ok.  Plug wells dry and oil free.

The AGP ones that cost £5 were fitted to drivers side bank, and genuine GM ones (that cost an arm and leg) to the passenger side bank.

HTH

[Lazydocker]

Great feedback. Nice that it looks like there really is an alternative we can recommend now.

[sjc]

Good feedback dbug, , thank you! I have a set of Victor Reinz ones waiting to go on the MV6 so will report back about those... £25 including O rings

Victor Reinz are the GM OE supplier I believe - at least, all of the genuine GM ones I've bought have Victor Reinz emblazened on the half-moon sections.