Water Pump Brands: Is any one better than another?

Pianoman702 · Post by **Pianoman702** » 13 Feb 2012, 19:19

I have a 1994 940 Wagon that is leaking coolant fairly regularly. After checking the usual culprits, my water pump seems to be pretty suspect. I've looked on iPd, FCP Groton, and eEuroparts as well as checked with my dealer and the price range between the different water pump kits it HUGE! Is there any one that is better quality or any brand that should be avoided?

The pumps I was looking at:

iPd - "Aftermarket" $34.57, GMB $36.83
FCP - GMB $37.50, Genuine Volvo $100.67
eEuro - HEPU $58.62, Scantech $48.83, Genuine Volvo $104.09

Can I get away with off-brands or should a water pump be genuine Volvo?

Northern Chev · Post by **Northern Chev** » 13 Feb 2012, 21:51

Piano,

This is how I approach buying parts for my cars:

If it's something easy to access or doesn't effect critical systems like windshield wipers or headlight bulbs or spark plugs or a serpentine belt then I buy what is a good balance between quality and price. Maybe a NAPA brand or sometimes maybe even Autozone or IPD or FCP, etc.

But if this item is something that effects critical systems or is more labor intensive like, say, a water pump or timing components then there's no way I personally would put anything in it other than a Volvo branded part. That's just me.

This is not to say that there aren't good aftermarket water pumps. I'm quite sure there are. And I'm sure you'll run into a few opinions here that will tell you that they've had good luck with this or that off-brand and I do not doubt them. It's all a about how well you want to sleep at night...

If you didn't have even one second of doubt in your mind you wouldn't have hesitated when the cheapest water pump came up in your search. But you DID hesitate. THAT, to me, is reason enough to buy the Volvo-branded part in THIS instance. I mean really, do we hesitate that much when thinking about buying a tail light bulb? No. That's because it's not that big of deal if it goes bad. A water pump on the other hand... I know money's tight these days but your time and effort wasn't worth it if it doesn't last. Again ---> that's just how I look at it.

Keep in mind that your price difference here is mostly aftermarket re-manufactured versus brand new.

Post by **precopster** » 14 Feb 2012, 13:36

Consensus here is that Hepu is a very good brand. In my experience this is also the case. Haven't heard a peep (or seen a weep) from any of the Hepus I've fitted but relatively low mileage in both cases.

The OEM may be a longer life pump if the car is a long termer (more than five years)

e777 · Post by **e777** » 15 Feb 2012, 10:53

Any of the German-made pumps (such as those on the websites of IPD or Eeuroparts) are solid. I recommend avoiding the Bosch water pumps. I bought one on Amazon and I opened the box to find a generic, most likely Chinese-made pump with no Bosch markings and no markings of any kind, in fact. It is currently failing after very limited use.

(Of course, Bosch electrical products and fuel filters are excellent.)

Eric
86 740
90 740
91 240

Post by **writer100** » 15 Feb 2012, 12:46

I seem to recall that the original water pump on my 240 had the letters GMB stamped on it.

Pianoman702 · Post by **Pianoman702** » 15 Feb 2012, 18:45

I'd like this car to last me through at least college/student teaching (so about 4 years or so). As much as I'd like to buy the Volvo Genuine pump, the number's don't really work right now. While the GMB is the cheapest one I would consider, if people are saying good things about the HEPU ones, it might be worth the extra pretty penny.