Is this timing belt kit truly "OEM"?

[ycartf]

I just received this timing belt kit I ordered off eBay. This was not the cheapest kit, but right now I have leaking seals from a kit that was half this price when I did this same job 3.5 years/50K miles ago (seller "klkparts" - not selling on eBay at present). As I know from previous experience, good parts can last a lot longer (our Gen 2 1990 Camry had the original belt on it when it jumped time and I changed it at 120K miles). I went with this kit because it said it was "OEM" and had this in the item description:

"Includes only select matched parts from Japanese OE/OEM manufacturers. These are the same parts used and trusted by Toyota, Dealers and Technicians world-wide. Perfect OEM Fit, Quality and Durability. This kit meets or exceeds Toyota original equipment specifications."

I have this kit and am obviously going to use this kit (unless given any startling info by any of you), but I wondered about "how OEM" these parts actually are. I have always heard that Continental belts are the best. I recognize the Bando name and the Aisin name from this kit, but the rest are new to me (I have not really noticed the name on seals and such previously - just foolishly used whatever was the cheapest or came in the kit). I should add that my kit did indeed come with the listed parts from the auction (and all as depicted in the picture):
Mitsoboshi timing belt
Koyo idler roller
NSK tensioner roller
Stone camshaft and crankshaft seals
Aisin water pump
Motorad thermostat
Bando PS and AC belts
all necessary O-rings, gaskets, etc, including a metal gasket between WP/housing

So, "how OEM" are these parts from your experience? I am also going to buy (locally) the oil pump seal and O-ring, and tensioner spring.

Thanks

[Zembonez]

There's really little OEM about it. Not actual Toyota parts... but that's not necessarily a bad thing. It's supposed to be made up of OEM quality parts. I'd say the success rate of using aftermarket parts here would be pretty good.

[Mister_Perkins]

Originally Posted by Zembonez

There's really little OEM about it. Not actual Toyota parts... but that's not necessarily a bad thing. It's supposed to be made up of OEM quality parts. I'd say the success rate of using aftermarket parts here would be pretty good.

The aftermarket parts are cheaper because they don't have as strict rules and regulations such as green strength on molds. Its kind of a Dice roll with the aftermarket parts, because they sometimes are not within OEM Specifications as far as manufacturing process is involved.

I've replaced a lot of parts with Aftermarket or OEM style parts, and have had more success than early failure rate. I have seen a few things have an earlier failure rate, but its usually involved with incorrect installation with customers. If the products you purchase are installed correctly, you have a better chance of success.

Nice thing as well is ordering parts online because you generally do not have to pay sales tax, so the price is even cheaper buying an OEM part online compared to purchasing it directly from the dealer. Although there are sites out there that you still do have to pay sales tax..

I'm sure that there are people who are going to say, "Don't use Ebay parts" Because they either had a bad buying experience or they installed the product incorrectly causing it to fail early.

There are certain ebay products that Are poorly made though, such as headers. I've bought headers off of ebay before and had to re-weld them after a radiographic test showed many faults in the weld (poor manufacturing process).

Like I said though, its always a gamble but you will probably be fine

[71Corolla]

That kit is nearly as good as OEM. The exceptions are the drive belts, and the thermostat. The timing belt is exactly the same as the Toyota OEM unit, except it does not have a Toyota part number printed on it. The idler and tensioner bearings are identical to OEM. Same with the water pump, except no Toyota logo on the casting. The cam and crank seals are identical to a dealer part.

Very nice kit, I've ordered a few from the same Ebay seller myself and have been very happy with them. (did a timing belt job on my ES300 recently). The only thing in those kits I won't use is the thermostat. For people in the U.S. you could try one of the online discount Toyota dealers, or better use one of the sponsored Toyota vendors here and price things out.

That's a quality kit, use it with confidence.

[Zembonez]

Excellent input 71 Corolla~

[ycartf]

Originally Posted by 71Corolla

That kit is nearly as good as OEM. The exceptions are the drive belts, and the thermostat. The timing belt is exactly the same as the Toyota OEM unit, except it does not have a Toyota part number printed on it. The idler and tensioner bearings are identical to OEM. Same with the water pump, except no Toyota logo on the casting. The cam and crank seals are identical to a dealer part.

Very nice kit, I've ordered a few from the same Ebay seller myself and have been very happy with them. (did a timing belt job on my ES300 recently). The only thing in those kits I won't use is the thermostat. For people in the U.S. you could try one of the online discount Toyota dealers, or better use one of the sponsored Toyota vendors here and price things out.

That's a quality kit, use it with confidence.

Thanks so much 71! That was really useful information!

My main concern was making sure the timing belt, pulleys, and oil seals were OEM (or as reliable as OEM) since they are the components that are time-consuming to "get to". I was pretty sure the Aisin WP was the recommended replacement and I have heard Bando spoken very highly of as far as the PS and AC belts (local imported parts place). So that leaves just the thermostat in question as far as reliability and I can live with that. The thermostat (and both of those belts you excepted) are super easy to get to and replace should they fail. I feel confident using these parts for this job. Heck, it was only a $70 kit (the cheapest one) last time that I used for everything listed here (minus drive belts and thermostat, but add in the oil pump seal) and it made it about 50K miles before oil started leaking from underneath the TB cover. So this one should give me lots better service.

[71Corolla]

Use a Toyota thermostat! Even if the jobber version doesn't fail, that doesn't mean it will work correctly. The problem with cheap thermostats is they don't open and close and precisely as OEM. Which means your car will take longer to warm up. I've seen this first hand in my own cars, it's not worth using a cheap thermostat. It's a simple part but so very important. Don't cheap out here. Same goes for Coolant, use Toyota red or pink. Pink is "super long life" pre-mixed, the red has to be diluted. Red is cheaper. (both are compatible with our car)

As for the seals, they are identical to Toyota parts. I looked at them closely, they are the same. BTW, the belts I used on my Lexus I got from the dealer because the alternator belt supplied in the timing belt kit was too long. The Toyota belts are made by Dayco.

[fenixus]

I would say also this kit is as good as OEM and that would include the drive belts. Last time I ordered a Toyota alternator belt I received the Bando one from online dealer (Toyota logo on it).

Almost all of parts of that kit are made by the same manufacturers as Toyota OEM suppliers (have no idea about NSK tensioner though, I though Koyo was making both idlers) with an exception to the thermostat maybe ... never heard of Motorad brand.

unfortunately I have no idea about cam/crankshaft seals though, Stone is not one of brands I recognize and I don't know who makes OEM seals.

As 71corolla said, get the thermostat from online dealers or one of our forum vendors (.e.g. TOYOPARTSMAN), I would also get the tensioner spring only from the dealer, this is a crucial part for kit longevity (proper and long lasting belt tension is important).

[csaxon]

Motorad is an excellent OEM thermostat used on Audi, SAAB, Mazda and others. I've been running it in my sons 99 Camry without issue.

[fenixus]

Originally Posted by csaxon

Motorad is an excellent OEM thermostat used on Audi, SAAB, Mazda and others. I've been running it in my sons 99 Camry without issue.

oh, didn't know. thanks!

this makes this kit a relly excellent one

[ycartf]

GOOD! So I am good to go now. I already got the OEM spring this afternoon while we were out (although all it does is "apply" the tension and then you tighten the idler pulley down) at the imported parts place. I always use the green coolant with nothing but distilled water. I know there are debates about it, but an old man who has owned/ran a radiator shop all of his life told me years ago that the green stuff, changed once a year, was the best at lubricating and providing heat / freeze protection. Being from Alabama, I heed the advice of wise old men lol.

Thanks so much for everyone's input. A few of these brand names I was unfamiliar with, but this kit really has turned out to be the bomb! I can't wait to put it all to use within the next week.

[fenixus]

be careful with the green stuff coolant on older toyotas... this coolant lasted less than 2 years for me and killed the aftermarket WP gasket (though me stupid topped it off with a yellow coolant mixture, so my bad probably).
anyways, red Toyota Long Life Coolant concentrate (mixed with distilled water 50/50) is what Toyota found to work best on their cooling systems and is said to last up to 5 years ... I would cut that in half (2-3 years max), but it works great. just saying...

to cheer you up regarding your timing kit. I will buy it when the time comes next time I trust those brands just like OEM parts, it's an amazing kit. I wish I knew about it earlier before I got all parts from online dealer ($260 excluding the drive belts and tensioner) about a year ago ... would save me some money...

[JohnGD]

The belts, pump, and pulleys are OEM. Not sure about MotorRad and Stone seals. But they may be reboxed Kuzeh thermostat and NSK seals. I would prefer a known OEM thermostat however. Otherwise looks like a reasonable kit at the price.

Like 71corolla said, Toyota does use Dayco belts too, in addition to Mitsuboshi, Bando, Gates, and GoodYear, depending on who's the lowest bidder. Aftermarket Dayco timing belts are often Conti made in Italy. Really good stuff too.

For comparison, here is an Aisin timing belt/pump kit at $153.79+shipping:
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=1798460

Originally Posted by ycartf

I just received this timing belt kit I ordered off eBay. This was not the cheapest kit, but right now I have leaking seals from a kit that was half this price when I did this same job 3.5 years/50K miles ago (seller "klkparts" - not selling on eBay at present). As I know from previous experience, good parts can last a lot longer (our Gen 2 1990 Camry had the original belt on it when it jumped time and I changed it at 120K miles). I went with this kit because it said it was "OEM" and had this in the item description:

"Includes only select matched parts from Japanese OE/OEM manufacturers. These are the same parts used and trusted by Toyota, Dealers and Technicians world-wide. Perfect OEM Fit, Quality and Durability. This kit meets or exceeds Toyota original equipment specifications."

I have this kit and am obviously going to use this kit (unless given any startling info by any of you), but I wondered about "how OEM" these parts actually are. I have always heard that Continental belts are the best. I recognize the Bando name and the Aisin name from this kit, but the rest are new to me (I have not really noticed the name on seals and such previously - just foolishly used whatever was the cheapest or came in the kit). I should add that my kit did indeed come with the listed parts from the auction (and all as depicted in the picture):
Mitsoboshi timing belt
Koyo idler roller
NSK tensioner roller
Stone camshaft and crankshaft seals
Aisin water pump
Motorad thermostat
Bando PS and AC belts
all necessary O-rings, gaskets, etc, including a metal gasket between WP/housing

So, "how OEM" are these parts from your experience? I am also going to buy (locally) the oil pump seal and O-ring, and tensioner spring.

Thanks

[fenixus]

that aisin kit (which is oem too) doesn't seem to come with cam/crank seals and no thermostat. also the WP is with no housing (the other one has WP with housing).
also the other kit comes with 2 drivebelts (bando) while aisin one has none.

I would say that ebay kit is the best bang for the buck you can find out there considering it's all (or almost) OEM too.

I think the ebay page says the thermostat is Kuzeh/Motorad, so maybe the manufacturer for both is same?
also as per cam/crank seals they sau they are KP/Stone/THO, not sure what that means, none of names tells me anything, are they OEM?

I agree though, Mitsuboshi and Dayco belts are said to be best while Bando is considered so so (still OEM though).

[ycartf]

(Hits himself in the forehead) We were at the imported auto parts store and I KNEW there was something else I wanted to get ... but forgot the oil pump seal and O-ring (although it is not shaped anything like an O).