Hey guys. Got a question for you all in the indy world when it comes to aftermarket parts. We service any year make and model the best we can in these parts as well as do a little bit of diesel work. Within in the last couple months we've been having issues with the local NAPA so now we're also dealing with autozone, orielys and the local dealers. Our rule of thumb is anything internal to the engine gets OEM (water pumps, timing components) there is certain parts and make and models we don't mess around with like GM trannys we get right from GM or ford turbos we only get from Ford unless customer signs off on a No Warranty sheet but within the past month we've been getting our butts handed to us by stupid stuff. If you guys seen we had a run in with a mid 2010s chevy with O2 issues, had to be fixed using a GM O2 sensor, now we have a Pro master city with a 2.4l same exact fault, down stream was not responding on the data side and now with a bosch sensor it reads but now the heater side is not reading and throwing heater and temp faults, new O2 from Chrysler on the way as I type this out but like what are we to do about all of this? Can't just sell strictly OEM parts, hard parts seem to be decent still (bearings,balljoints those sort of things). Just wondering what everyone else is doing because re doing work and re doing diag just to find out we're dealing with non correct parts is a huge waste of money and stress. Do we say any type of engine related sensor should be OEM too? Or a certain year cut off like after 2012 we gotta use OEM electronics? Just reaching out to see what other shops are doing about all of this.
OEM only for sensors. Especially, engine performance sensors.
OEM only for difficult to access parts.
Beyond that, I let the customer decide if they want the reassurance of OEM parts, or if they want to save some money with aftermarket. Communication with the customer is key.
"Knowledge is a weapon. Arm yourself, well, before going to do battle."
"Understanding a question is half an answer." I have learned more by being wrong, than I have by being right.
You're not alone. Parts quality is a huge struggle. Has been for the last 10 years, really, but it seems to have taken a nose dive in the last few.
Straight OEM sounds nice, but the reality is that OEMs are abandoning parts support for vehicles as soon as it suits them. Or the OEM part you need is on intergalactic backorder.
So just use high quality aftermarket, right? Doesn't always work, either. Denso is a good example. Their rotating electrical was the gold standard for as long as I can remember. Then the quality went off a cliff.
Unfortunately, I think it comes down to experimenting when you can and finding the aftermarket parts that work well. Cruze 1.4L water pumps are a good example. We had a long string of NAPA branded pumps that wouldn't make it 3/36. Switched to Aisin, which is similarly priced, with a better gasket. Only had to warranty one since the change. No one told me the Aisin was better, I just took a chance and started using them.
No Dorman electrical is a solid rule to follow. That includes sensors, solenoids, HVAC actuators. Anything with current flow. Just say no.
Are you in control of estimating the repairs on your vehicles? That made an huge difference for me. Service advisors generally only have two questions about parts - What's the price, and is it in stock? Quality usually doesn't factor in. You'll definitely think of that NTK O2 that ate your lunch when you go to order another O2 sensor, but your advisor may not.
You can also expand your parts sources. Do you have WorldPac available? They sell junk, too, but there's some gems in there. RepairLink is a good resource when working with dealers. You can see what their pricing and availability is before ever picking up the phone. The parts diagrams are better, too.
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