I bought a Gates timing belt replacement kit a while back, the one that comes with everything including a new water pump. Everything looks good but I wasn't too thrilled to see that the pump is made in China. That factoid is printed clearly on the box, not the pump itself, so Gates is being upfront about it. Kudos.
First let me say that I'm not immediately put off by Chinese-made products. Some stuff is fine by me like brake rotors and hard parts like that, but precision ball bearings are not something that the Chinese are known for. I'm sure the pump casting is fine as is the impeller, but what about the sealed bearings?
The original pump on my Subaru is not showing any signs of age or wear (noises or seeping), and I'm sure the OEM unit is a high-quality part. Subarus are not known for water pumps failing. Timing belt idlers, yes, but not their water pumps.
So my dilemma: Do I replace the still-working, OEM, high-quality pump after 12 years and 95k miles with an unknown part that could either work perfectly or fail miserably? Do I spend another $50-$75 on a known quality replacement unit and install that one instead? Do I just install the new pump and stop worrying about it?
Opinions?
First let me say that I'm not immediately put off by Chinese-made products. Some stuff is fine by me like brake rotors and hard parts like that, but precision ball bearings are not something that the Chinese are known for. I'm sure the pump casting is fine as is the impeller, but what about the sealed bearings?
The original pump on my Subaru is not showing any signs of age or wear (noises or seeping), and I'm sure the OEM unit is a high-quality part. Subarus are not known for water pumps failing. Timing belt idlers, yes, but not their water pumps.
So my dilemma: Do I replace the still-working, OEM, high-quality pump after 12 years and 95k miles with an unknown part that could either work perfectly or fail miserably? Do I spend another $50-$75 on a known quality replacement unit and install that one instead? Do I just install the new pump and stop worrying about it?
Opinions?