It is often tough to justify the cost of OEM Volvo parts, but I keep having these experiences with aftermarket parts that tells me that maybe I should pay the extra. The tales of the MTC heater water valve below is one example; another is my own experience with a TRW ball joint. I replaced this and within eight months had a growing banging in the front end of my 95 940. Could not figure out what this was and replaced a bunch of other parts when I finally decided this could ONLY be ball joint (I traced it using a body vibration sensor). Bought the Volvo OEM unit from Borton (cost around $45 instead of less than half that for the TRW). The Volvo unit was noticeably more robust. Installed it yesterday evening and sure enough, problem solved.
I've found enough dodgy aftermarket parts from even good brands that I am now increasingly leaning toward OEM unless there is a direct renamed replacement (like a cap/rotor from Bosch) or I have strong confidence in the part quality. And nothing, absolutely nothing, from the Far East.
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