odonnell

They seem to be a relatively new option, but it's been long enough that folks have had a chance to put some miles on them. How do they stack up? They're the right price and the one I have for my NA (not installed yet) seems like decent quality in my hands. Green light for install? I wasn't sure of the brand I was going to end up with when I ordered it, and URO has a spotty reputation.

Arominus

If your wanting to take your chances just get a rebuilt pump.

KVDR

I ordered a URO waterpump last year when I didn't know any better.

Installed in October, or 5 months driving and 1700 miles ago.

I'll have the belts off again in ~November'ish, so I can check it for play then.

jackkthemackk

I ordered one not knowing much about URO last week. Should show up this week. Should I return it for a different brand? Any brand most recommended?

Dash01

Related question:

Since the OEM pump housing and impeller don't wear out, and only the bearings and seals do wear out, how difficult would it be to simply press new bearings and seals?

Seems to me, the rebuilt market for such parts is obscenely profitable, and a private hobbyist should be able to rebuild his own parts for a small fraction of the cost...if he can find a source of good bearings and seals.

V2Rocket

Dash01 - there is a company called ZIMS autotechnik who has been doing just that for years.
Their quality is impeccable - all I've used in the last 11 years.

Their rebuilt cost is ~$120 or so...my time (finding parts and then actually doing the work) is worth more than that. Plus..they do the things all day and can do it better than I could. YMMV.

MM951

Coincidentally last night I replaced a water pump I bought from Zim's in 2010 due to impending failure. I also installed a Zims pump in 2004, replaced it 2010 and it was fine FWIW. The 2010 pump bearing is shot, lots of play in the shaft. Amazon has new Airtex (solid brand) ones for $115, got it next day for an extra $6. Just toss the gasket that comes with it and use a Porsche one.

V2Rocket

What mileage on that pump, Mike?

MM951

90k or so. I got about the same mileage out of the last one, though it was fine when I replaced it. In short, I'd still recommend a zims pump without hesitation. I could just get the airtex one faster!

V2Rocket

Holy cow!
That's a lot for 6 years...nice!

catamount

On the Mercedes boards you'll find a great deal of disdain for URO parts, especially electrical parts. Often it seems the parts just don't hold up very long.

odonnell

On the topic of DIY rebuilding, I looked into that in the past and came to the same conclusion as Spencer. At the minimum you'd need a press to do it correctly.

I'll probably return this pump unless there are at least a few people who can vouch for it? I want at least a couple years out of it.

Dash01

I've used URO a couple of times on my BMWs, without particular issue other than their control arm bushings did not last all that long. Others on BMW forums pretty much disdain URO, though, as being of marginal quality. Stuff like a molded rubber air intake J boot (no moving parts) from URO worked well on a BMW E28 I had, for cheap.

One handy trick is to go on RockAuto website and compare prices between different brands of a given part. RockAuto has a rating system with little heart shapes, and told me that the brand/part gets the heart rating if it proves to have a good track record vs. returns and defects. From this, you can get at least some sorta comparative feedback from other consumers, then shop around for the favored part/brand on Amazon, Google, RockAuto, AutohausAZ, etc.

Using such RA ratings, I found that on occasion AutoZone has pretty good deals. F'rex, the front wheel bearings for my BMW 3 Series car were actually Japanese made OEM, excellent quality and price from AutoZone. Ditto with an ignition switch. Shipping free to the nearest store for pickup there.

snb13

I've installed 3 of them in the last 20 months, one on my car. They seem to be fine. Ian and Steve at 944online have had no problems with them.

AZ520

I have 2 on both my N/As, whats the worst that can happen? Seizing right, seems like old pumps that don't get driven enough have that problem. One is about 1 and 1/2 years old the other maybe 6 months, not sure on the miles, both my odo do not work, They are holding up fine, both cars have seen over 100 mph a few times and I drive them the way a Porsche should be driven. No leaking and no problems yet and I think they will be fine.