I'm about to R&R the Timing Belt on a 1993 240. The last time I did one, I also replaced the Camshaft Follower Dampers (aka, Valve Hushers).

At that time I used Volvo OE Hushers, but I notice I can get aftermarket Hushers ( Branded Victor Reinz) from FCP for 47 cents a pop while the Volvo Hushers are $3.58 apiece.

So, has anyone used these bargain basement Hushers without complaint?

Both the OE and the Reinz parts are listed as "made in Italy", if that means anything.

I look for bargains, but I also consider equivalency. For example, I have a stockpile of Volvo OE Rear Crank Seals because I was buying the cheaper Elring seals until they started coming from China. Those seemed to be of such a high durometer I couldn't bring myself to use them - used only OE Volvo after that.

Any input will be appreciated.

Thanks, one and all,
Rich (from The Burgh)

I think all the racer folks (the only people I'd trust to have ever looked at their hushers after a few thousand miles) would agree with Randy. I've even seen some opinions suggesting they be left out, just so the remains of them don't get stuck in oil passages and around the pump pickup. Too many variables with oil habits and temperature. However I have nothing in the way of actual experience to lend this thread.
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Art Benstein near Baltimore

Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.

I've often done valve adjustments or valve jobs or otherwise had some reason to remove the cam which made taking a peak at the hushers easy. They get rock hard and sometimes just crumble away (just where do those crumbs go?). As already pointed out they are there for noise abatement. If you don't mind the clatter, leave them out. When doing a head gasket they come in the set and I go ahead and use them. If you do find broken or crumbled hushers it'd be a good idea to use compressed air to blow out the well (of course cover the other wells and protect yourself from splash back). - Dave

You don't need to remove the camshaft in order to check if the hushers are ok or not. With cam still in place try to rotate the valve lifter (not the valve shims) with a slight down pressure. If there's some resistance to turn with that slight rubbery grip then your valve hushers are probably still good. You'd have to free the lifter off its cam lobe first before attempting this.

To OP:
I had used both - OE and Reinz. IIRC the OE hushers lasted a lot longer than Reinz but not more than about 2 - 3 years in my case (I use mine 5 days/week commuting to work). Depends on how much you use the car.

Amarin.

This is my personal opinion with nothing technical to back it up. Sometimes I just go with my gut feeling....

I think the hushers are for the most part totally unnecessary for proper function of the valve train. They may provide some muffling of noise created by the action of the components, but only for the time before they get hard and flattened- which doesn't take long.

If I were you I would not pay any more than I had to for these pieces.

Randy
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Any twenty minute job is just a broken bolt away from a three day ordeal