I put a new heater hose on my sister’s Cruze back in May. Stupid thing is already weeping around the clamp. I knew I should’ve gone OEM. Of course the NAPA is much closer and was open. I’ll probably just watch it for a while before I deal with it. Lifetime warranty yes, but still inconvenient. Aftermarket parts are just so hit or miss these days. I think the NAPA part number (626709) crosses with a Dorman part. I guess thats what I get.
NAPA Parts Have Really Slid Down Hill
- Thread starter MrkofXcellence
- Start date
Sad if Dorman can't even mold a heater hose. Not much skill required there.
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- Jul 28, 2024
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worm gear clamp = most definitely the culprit
My guess is it's leaking around the clamp(s) that were included with the hose.
Pretty much on par for Dorman parts. I wouldn't blame NAPA, everyone carries Dorman.
I see Gates hoses have dropped to lower than cheap, I have had them brand new delaminate before they ever made on the car. Went OE and tossed that crap in the bin. Its a shame, at one time they were the best on the market. NAPA is mostly white box quality these days at OE prices.
I needed a hub bearing as soon as yesterday so off to NAPA I go $253 he says but we have a cheaper alternative made in China for $140, both would have to be ordered. Dealer dropped the OE off to me that afternoon for $150 all in.
I needed a hub bearing as soon as yesterday so off to NAPA I go $253 he says but we have a cheaper alternative made in China for $140, both would have to be ordered. Dealer dropped the OE off to me that afternoon for $150 all in.
The clamp thats leaking is the spring clamp that was pre-installed on the hose assembly at purchase.
I priced an OE starter from a dealer last week, and I was shocked, less than $100 difference; the aftermarket starter is not worth the risk.
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I have never had a problem with NAPA parts, except the availability of less expensive options. I wonder if a damaged or dirty pipe or overtightening or incorrect installation, or maybe a used previously installed part might contribute to this. Also would consider returning this one to NAPA and swapping the replacement in. Good luck.
Next time OE for sure.
Had a Napa hose fail catastrophically on my KJ, noticed a minor weep before, like maybe a dime sized drip every couple days.
Funny I have been using quality ones for hmmm lets see about 60 years now and can't remember any of them ever leaking? Yes there are better more positive type clamps, and it sure isnt what the factory installs on most cars, do spring clamps work? Yeah but I've had more of them leak than the worm types.
Good looks…maybe need to take care sooner rather than later.Had a Napa hose fail catastrophically on my KJ, noticed a minor weep before, like maybe a dime sized drip every couple days.
From my reading and watching YT videos (therefore I'm now an expert), the problem of defective parts isn't isolated to aftermarket stuff. OEM parts are having higher failure rates, including rising incidents of defective new parts. This is driving technicians to lock their toolboxes and leave the profession, as most experienced techs work book time, not hourly. Gone are the days when a job is completed the first time after installing correctly-diagnosed parts. These higher failure rates can lead a tech down so many rabbit holes before coming to the conclusion the new part must be defective.
And now people all across the internet are reporting:
- Motorcraft OEM parts from the dealer... being Dorman
- Mopar OEM parts from the dealer... being Dorman
- ACDelco OEM parts showing up at the dealership... shipped from Amazon (who mixes first-party sourced inventory with third-party seller inventory so who knows if you're getting a legit part)
One would assume shops doing repairs using NAPA parts would not tolerate parts that fail quickly requiring them to redo their work. And would stop buying NAPA parts. I would not think NAPA would survive on DIY purchases.
A NAPA store in Millsboro DE was not far from me (but in a hard to find location) was staffed by young guys who seemed to be helpful and knowledgeable (into cars) is listed as "permanently closed".
I buy NAPA synthetic oil for Subaru and will buy NAPA AGM batteries if I cannot get one at Walmart and it's made by East Penn.
A NAPA store in Millsboro DE was not far from me (but in a hard to find location) was staffed by young guys who seemed to be helpful and knowledgeable (into cars) is listed as "permanently closed".
I buy NAPA synthetic oil for Subaru and will buy NAPA AGM batteries if I cannot get one at Walmart and it's made by East Penn.
That would be insanely frustrating
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