Hi Bricksters:

My waterpump leaked big time. Probably the seals gave out...possibly bearings...but the unit needs to be replaced at 116,000 miles. I was impatient and ordered through Kragen Autoparts (Big in So. Cal). I ordered their remanufactured waterpump with 1 year warranty. I ordered during my lunch break since I could pick it up tomorrow. Now I'm having second doubts about longetivity. Paid $29.99 w/core exchange. I was told the core's are oem but new seals and bearings are put in- so not much different from new.

I also bought a stant thermostat (Made by Wahler)...same as fcpgroton I suppose. What are your experiences with oem, aftermarket, and remanufactured parts? It seems $ is the deciding factor without additional experience. I ask since at 116K a lot of parts need replacing for relibility on planned vacations. I don't relish the idea of fixing a waterpump, AMM etc. out of nowhere...might as well "put up my hands" as the robbers would say. Thanks.

-Darrell, 89 240 GL

Some parts are fine any which way, some aren't. Most of the stuff I get are at least made in respectable places. Unless the price difference is huge, I do opt for new aftermarket over remanufacturered, though. There's less chance for a screwup. Do note that some of the aftermarket are infact the OEM, but just without the Volvo markup.

In SoCal, I've found AutoZone's prices much better than Kragen's. The GNB water pumps for my '74 and '86 were from there, the Meyle (I think) for my '91 was from a local mom-and-pop supplier.

Another issue with Kragen is that time they sold me a poor fitting rotor/distributor cap set that promptly ate itself and burned their new wire set. Wasn't an issue returning 'em all, but still, y'know, it shouldn't have happened in the first place. The AutoZone stuff worked fine for that, but it took them 2 shots for a good remanufactured master cylinder.

Nowadays though, I go out-of-the-way to get it from the mom-and-pop - good manufacturers (typically OEM manufacturers), very good prices (typically cheaper for me, but even if not, it's not significantly more expensive), and if I ever need help, they can get the answers.

Much agreed about fan belt tension. Having it too tight does kills 'em a lot quicker.

-- Kane
--
Blossom II - '91 745Ti/M46 ... Bubbles - '74 144GL/BW35 ... Buttercup - '86 245GL/AW70

Not too crazy about the stuff as it never masures up to Volvo OEM. But now the Volvo pumps are not what they used to be. I kind of like the look of the Hepu pumps. Meanwhile, I'm keeping those belts just barely tight enough, to avoid the stress of tight belts on the water pump. That way the Volvo pumps last 100 K or better.

I would not get an aftermarket part when it comes to water pumps. I think the brand fcp lists is a good brand. Read somewhere that aftermarket pumps don't last.

I still have the original pump on my 89 with 225k miles.

What is the experience with IPD water pumps? I put one in at 100K miles & it is still good at 148,456 miles.

I know from experience at 66,000 miles the factory pump went out. I guess it's how and where you drive your brick. It was replaced at the dealer and it's 116,000 miles...I need a new pump. So my experience says every 50-60,000 miles for Original Equipment. The driveshaft bushing seal lasts about as long as that 60-70,000 miles before the seal leaks or the bushing is damaged. I'm constantly amazed how long some bricksters say their parts last. Probably road grade and conditions play a part of the wearn'tear.