NAPA quality

[schwartr88]

Ive heard NAPA gold oil filters are pretty good, but what about the rest of their stuff. Things like batteries, alternators, water pumps ect...

The napa gold oil filter is a relabled wix, so would thier napa gold fuel filter also be a wix? The napa fuel filter (flex fuel) is 10-30 dollars cheaper then most others so I was thinking of going with them.

Thanks.

 

[Clyde65]

I just bought a fuel tank pressure sensor from them. It seems to be very good quality. I popped it in and cleared the DTC code P0452. So far so good.

 

[jmacmaster]

I rate NAPA quality as tops among the auto parts stores. But that's not to say that everything at NAPA is top quality. I just think that the percentage of NAPA stuff that's top quality is higher than any other auto parts store.

 

[johnd]

Interestingly, I read the oil filter study that was linked to this board and one of the findings was that the NAPA oil filters (the cheap and the expensive ones) were not signficantly different in quality. I made me feel better about buying the cheap one. I find their parts overall pretty good. When I need high pressure/temp hose, they always seem to have what I need.

 

[tom slick]

I don't think you are going to find better parts at any autoparts store. there are other stores that sell parts that are the same quality though.

 

[ChrisW]

napa uses gates for there belts, i'd trust a gates belt over goodyears anyday. Contitech is another brand of belts i like, followed by bando and dayco.

 

[Brett Miller]

When I need important parts like brakes, belts, electrical, I always go to NAPA. I believe their quality is a notch above the chain stores.

 

[Mike_dup1]

Well the last time I bought something from NAPA I found they have 2 different quality levels for the suspension part I wanted. The first part (tie rod end) they gave me said made in china on it and was about $30. I told them I wanted something made in USA, they had that and it cost about $60. Counter guy said not to many will pay extra for that so he will a have to order it and have it tomorrow.


btw-We compared to 2 and the USA made parts was much heavier built, you did not even have to open the box, you could feel the weight difference.

 

[Volvohead]

Apparently, based on the latest earnings reports, you're not alone about Manny, Moe and Jack.

NAPA targets the smaller repair shop, so the parts quality needs to be a little better than the mass consumer chains that peddle aisles of air fresheners and plate frames.

NAPA's premium grade lines are just a small notch below OEM-manufacturer quality in many instances.

But I'll take a US, German or Italian rotor over a Sino one, even at thrice the price, thank you very much. Seen too many of the latter needing cutting right out of the box.

 

[GMGuy]

More anecdotal evidence, the Napa wiper switch I picked up for my pick-em-up was manufactered by the OEM manufacturer (manufacturers logo molded into the housing).
I have had a couple dud rebuilt parts from Napa. A starter that didn't (bad one-way clutch). A wiper motor that gave up the ghost just before the warranty did (lucky there). Another wiper motor with what I'm assuming an incorrect timing gear for the application. Other than that nothing jumps out at me as being an inferior part (most of my replacement parts come from Napa).

Alex.

 

[eljefino]

I have NAPA branded wiper blades that squeak like nothing else.

They sold me a one-size fits many radiator fan thermoswitch that had too stubby a sensor end inside the threads. It threaded into the thermostat housing okay but didn't get into the water stream well or at all, causing overheating. A genuine GM part from a junkyard had a much smaller tip that worked perfectly.

Their service is top-notch and the regional warehouse is also a store that's open until 10 pm or so. Parts that are special order most places are in stock if I drive the extra five miles to the hub. And their website lets me price-compare before I go in. I have more confidence in getting the right part from them than anyone else, though I often cheap out and get the same part for less (literally, the same brand and everything) from advance auto.

 

[Oldmoparguy1]

I bought a Fuel pressure regulator for my 89 Turbo Caravan from Napa. After a couple of weeks it started leaking. Took it back and got a replacement. After 2 weeks, it leaked. Bought a used regulator off of EBAY. That was 2 years ago. Still works fine. Last time I bought anything from napa.

 

[schwartr88]

Are the napa gold fuel filters just relabled wix like the oil filters?

 

[Hirev]

After a enough problems with the quality of NAPA parts many years ago I avoid them. I had much better luck with OEM parts lasting much longer than typical lowest bidder chain store parts.

 

[Market525]

Same thing I have found to be true in brake rotors. I needed a rear disc for a dauthter's 01 Accord, and they had the China made ones in stock for $27. If I wanted a USA made one, they'd have it the next day and it was $60. The car was apart - I had the pads, didn't anticipate needing a rotor. I took the China one - has never given a problem in roughly a year.

He commented that all the local garages used the China ones, which is why they don't stock USA ones. At twice the price, I am not surprised.

But I do agree that NAPA parts are usually very high quality. I just cannot bring myself to do the Pep Boys thing. A store full of cheap **** w/ usually not-too-knowledgeable help.

 

[Clyde65]

^^

Calling NAPA a "lowest bidder chain store" is a bit of a stretch in my opinion.

 

[Thermactor]

there's a NAPA warehouse right by where I work. it's pretty much worthless. Sure, they have parts - some parts - but the service is absolutely dreadful, and the prices are more than twice what they should be on many parts. F NO!

 

[Greaser]

I have installed Napa "made in China" brake rotors as replacements on the following vehicles; Ford Explorer,Chev Camero,Chev Malibu,2 Jeep Wranglers,2 Jeep Cherokees,Jeep Grand Cherokee,Honda Civic,GMC Jimmy,Plymouth Acclaim.Only had a problem with 1 Jeep Cherokee,1 Jeep Wrangler (both were same part number by the way)and the Honda Civic.I had to go with the more expensive up-grade to get away from hot spot noise on the rotor due to bad heat treating.Other than those two vehicles, everybody else was happy with them and Napa made no bones about giving me replacements on the defective ones either.They even gave me the more expensive rotors, at no charge, with the last job due to the fact I had to change them out twice and they still made a racket.Their pads are good ,the re-manufactured calipers depends on type of vehicle.The brake shoes are iffy in quality.Some fit good others loose ends and are out of round.I deal with Napa to about $3-4000 a year in parts on various vehicles.IMO they aren't any worse or any better than OEM (had some real **** rebuilds from the dealers)and I find the people working there more one on one than anywhere else.

 

[nomochevys]

Maybe a fluke but I bought a alternator from napa for my old s10. The original made it a little over 100k and the replacement didnt make it to 30K before it went bad on me. Maybe just bad luck I dunno.