More cheapened parts

[slacktide_bitog]

I ordered them on Rock Auto, but the problems aren't Rock Auto's fault. The order came from Factory Motor Parts in Concord, NC.

The Mahle valve cover gaskets for the EJ25D are now made in China instead of Japan. I feel cheated because I only paid the higher price because they still came from Japan. The job is VERY difficult on the DOHC motors, as they are wider than the SOHC versions.

It still says Japan in Mahle's catalog

Fel-Pro is Chinese now, but at least they're cheaper! Apex is even cheaper, half the price of Fel-Pro and Mahle, and they even come in a snazzy blue color, so at least they look cool

The Denso TT spark plugs were made in the US instead of Japan, but they are probably OE on some US-made Toyotas or other Japanese cars.

The NGK wires are still made in Japan

The Wagner drums aren't coated on the inside like they were supposed to be. I have a separate thread about those in the brakes section.

 

[SC Maintenance]

I understand feeling cheated.

Still, Mahle has had factories in China for a long time. If Mahle is the Producer for OEM on these, its still likely your best bet given the general consensus on current Fel-pro and other aftermarket brands.

Only other option would be to order OEM and see if you get made in Japan versions?

 

[thescreensavers]

Where it's made in isn't as important as the quality control/standards imposed by the manufacturer.

 

[Trav]

I ordered them on Rock Auto, but the problems aren't Rock Auto's fault. The order came from Factory Motor Parts in Concord, NC.

The Mahle valve cover gaskets for the EJ25D are now made in China instead of Japan. I feel cheated because I only paid the higher price because they still came from Japan. The job is VERY difficult on the DOHC motors, as they are wider than the SOHC versions.

It still says Japan in Mahle's catalog

Fel-Pro is Chinese now, but at least they're cheaper! Apex is even cheaper, half the price of Fel-Pro and Mahle, and they even come in a snazzy blue color, so at least they look cool

The Denso TT spark plugs were made in the US instead of Japan, but they are probably OE on some US-made Toyotas or other Japanese cars.

The NGK wires are still made in Japan

The Wagner drums aren't coated on the inside like they were supposed to be. I have a separate thread about those in the brakes section.

Don't buy cheap aftermarket crap gaskets or parts for these cars, all of them are below par. Mahle is either made in China or Vietnam and it is not the quality customers are accustomed to with Mahle, Felpro is good for the trash barrel right out of the box and not much else. Use OE only or you will be doing this job again sooner than you would like. Call Six Star Bernie and ask about the parts you need and the COO. These are Japan.

https://sixstarbernie.com/i-2317903...r-legacy-outback-impreza-ej25d-1997-1999.html

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Don't buy cheap aftermarket crap gaskets or parts for these cars, all of them are below par. Mahle is either made in China or Vietnam and it is not the quality customers are accustomed to with Mahle, Felpro is good for the trash barrel right out of the box and not much else. Use OE only or you will be doing this job again sooner than you would like. Call Six Star Bernie and ask about the parts you need and the COO. These are Japan.

https://sixstarbernie.com/i-2317903...r-legacy-outback-impreza-ej25d-1997-1999.html

I found some NOS Beck/Arnley gaskets that were made in Japan. I'm considering buying those and returning the Chinese Mahle

 

[The Critic]

I found some NOS Beck/Arnley gaskets that were made in Japan. I'm considering buying those and returning the Chinese Mahle

Made in China parts are not junky by default. In fact, I have had very good experiences with some of them. Made in USA is no guarantee of quality.

It all depends on the management and quality standards of the brand.

Also, I would be wary of rubber products sitting on a shelf somewhere; they do age.

 

[Trav]

Some parts made in China are very decent quality, INA, Pierburg, Kolbenschmidt, FAG, and many others have huge manufacturing plants in China and the quality is good but some brands are not manufacturing all their own parts, they are buying third party and rebranding.
The Mahle gaskets and seals I used to get that were made in Germany or Austria were very good and stayed pliable for years, the China Vietnam ones went hard and brittle in a much shorter time. Is Mahle actually the manufacturer or are they getting these low hanging fruit parts from a third party?
Pulling engines out or getting into a big difficult job to replace gaskets I decided to save a few bucks on is not my idea of fun.

 

[D60]

It's really disappointing. Once trusted brands can no longer be trusted. It makes the installer look incompetent but it's not our fault

 

[dfarr67]

Where it's made in isn't as important as the quality control/standards imposed by the manufacturer.

That may be true- but as a consumer my choice of country should increase the chances of a quality part. Lets face it- if you had the choice it would be Japan/Europe/NA or China every single time.

 

[GSCJR]

It's really disappointing. Once trusted brands can no longer be trusted. It makes the installer look incompetent but it's not our fault

I'm almost at a point where I just let the client supply the part or it's OE only.

 

[The Critic]

That may be true- but as a consumer my choice of country should increase the chances of a quality part. Lets face it- if you had the choice it would be Japan/Europe/NA or China every single time.

This may have been true 20 years ago, but not today. There are a lot of skilled workers in countries that you perceive to be “3rd world.”

 

[Arc]

Made in China parts are not junky by default. In fact, I have had very good experiences with some of them. Made in USA is no guarantee of quality.

It all depends on the management and quality standards of the brand.

Also, I would be wary of rubber products sitting on a shelf somewhere; they do age.

I disagree. Chinese parts are junky and it's by design. The whole reason for cheap labor is because there is nothing left to take out of the material and design. Any company with shareholders does not and never will put customer satisfaction as their top priority. Many people will deny it but that is our business model and has been for a long time. You can't serve two masters.

 

[Arc]

It's really disappointing. Once trusted brands can no longer be trusted. It makes the installer look incompetent but it's not our fault

As a retired contractor I have to agree. We are the ones who must answer to the customer and we also have the burden of fixing the failed product and often at our expense.

 

[Arc]

I ordered them on Rock Auto, but the problems aren't Rock Auto's fault. The order came from Factory Motor Parts in Concord, NC.

The Mahle valve cover gaskets for the EJ25D are now made in China instead of Japan. I feel cheated because I only paid the higher price because they still came from Japan. The job is VERY difficult on the DOHC motors, as they are wider than the SOHC versions.

It still says Japan in Mahle's catalog

Fel-Pro is Chinese now, but at least they're cheaper! Apex is even cheaper, half the price of Fel-Pro and Mahle, and they even come in a snazzy blue color, so at least they look cool

The Denso TT spark plugs were made in the US instead of Japan, but they are probably OE on some US-made Toyotas or other Japanese cars.

The NGK wires are still made in Japan

The Wagner drums aren't coated on the inside like they were supposed to be. I have a separate thread about those in the brakes section.

Have to use blue goop on almost all gaskets now. It's been a while since I bought one that actually fit. Just replaced a water pump and like to never got the supplied gasket in the groove. I came really close to cutting it a fraction shorter. It ended up leaking and the second time around I applied the blue stuff to it so it would seal.

 

[dfarr67]

I just went through this for an old Toyota application. Needs valve seals which oem is outrageous $ and all the rest is questionable in my mind- not a easy sbc job. I ended buying a whole engine kit just to get the seals and the rest of the kit may be used over time. Ishino-Stone made in Japan. You can keep your felpro, mahle, etc.

 

[dfarr67]

This may have been true 20 years ago, but not today. There are a lot of skilled workers in countries that you perceive to be “3rd world.”

May be- but you cannot tell the good from the bad no matter how much you pay- hence this thread. Perhaps op parts will work like oem- but oem from the home country is a far better bet. Mahle is just saving money at the consumer expense....quality rarely improves.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

I just went through this for an old Toyota application. Needs valve seals which oem is outrageous $ and all the rest is questionable in my mind- not a easy sbc job. I ended buying a whole engine kit just to get the seals and the rest of the kit may be used over time. Ishino-Stone made in Japan. You can keep your felpro, mahle, etc.

The sad part is that Mahle used to be reboxed Ishino/Stone or OE for Japanese cars

 

[dfarr67]

The sad part is that Mahle used to be reboxed Ishino/Stone or OE for Japanese cars

Used to be a time when buying a known cheaper brand you might be surprised at what is inside- I bought a gates tensioner and it was the same Honda part.

 

[The Critic]

I disagree. Chinese parts are junky and it's by design. The whole reason for cheap labor is because there is nothing left to take out of the material and design. Any company with shareholders does not and never will put customer satisfaction as their top priority. Many people will deny it but that is our business model and has been for a long time. You can't serve two masters.

You're suggesting that parts made in china will always be inferior. This is simply not true.

Companies have an obligation to maximize profitability and this obviously involves minimizing their labor costs. By default, this often means you'll need to take manufacturing to an area that is setup with the appropriate labor pool and facilities to manufacture your item. It is generally most efficient to find those facilities than to reinvent the wheel.

You are seriously underestimating the modern manufacturing capabilities of China and other "traditionally 3rd world" Asian countries. With the appropriate guidance and manufacturing standards, they are often every bit as good as the traditional players and sometimes better.

 

[Arc]

You're suggesting that parts made in china will always be inferior. This is simply not true.

Companies have an obligation to maximize profitability and this obviously involves minimizing their labor costs. By default, this often means you'll need to take manufacturing to an area that is setup with the appropriate labor pool and facilities to manufacture your item. It is generally most efficient to find those facilities than to reinvent the wheel.

You are seriously underestimating the modern manufacturing capabilities of China and other "traditionally 3rd world" Asian countries. With the appropriate guidance and manufacturing standards, they are often every bit as good as the traditional players and sometimes better.

You are correct, they are obligated to maximize profit. Once you bottom out the material and labor what is the next step to generate more sales?