OE Parts

[Ch0yc3 0]

I have a number of things to sort out on my 97 VR6: HT Leads, serpentine belt and tensioner, coolant, hand-brake cable, exhaust, rear bushes and a couple of other bits.

I called my local dealers to get some prices, and they just seemed ridiculous. For example, typing into the google the actual part number printed on the tensioner in my engine brings up this US site:

http://www.metalmanparts.com/displayProductDocument.hg?productId=142&categoryId=26

This is the OE Litens part, the part in my car is manufactured by Litens too.

$100, i.e. £50 for the tensioner. VAG UK dealer was asking for pretty much double that, and about £60 on top for a new belt!

Where is the best place in the UK for OE VW parts. I've heard that both ECP and GSF parts aren't always OE and not always of the best quality. Does anyone have any experience of VWSPARES.com ? I can't work out whether the parts they list are genuine OE. Are there any other avenues?

Thanks for your help in advance!

[matth76 1]

GSF is trustworthy - I would just ask them if the particular part you need is OE. They probably do their own version as well as OE. OE is always the best quality.

[xyber 1]

I used to work for a motor parts company and most stuff these days that gsf would sell are made by the same companies as the OE version, some things from gsf are a little lame, HT leads can be abit 2nd rate, but once the garages they supply to tell them they are shite they would soon bin that item off and get a new version somewhere else, my local gsf are pretty good and if an item is crap they will advise you to get another version

with the coolant, use VW G12+ , gsf stock it and its only about £7, it is compatible with other coolants so you wont risk 2 different types of coolant reacting with each other and turning into a corrosive sludge inside your engine

[Ch0yc3 0]

I'll certainly try and ring GSF and VWspares.com to find out the manufacturers of their parts.

Just a question about coolant: I had a service a couple of months ago and the mechanic used the Pink G12 stuff. I've done quite a lot of miles since then. I opened the bonnet this morning, before having started the engine, and noticed that the coolant level was below the minimum mark. Swtiched the engine on and ran it in till oil temp was up to 90, and the coolant level was up, but only to just above the minimum line. I can't exactly remember, but the coolant must have been up somewhere near to the maximun line previously. I looked under the car later on in the day and couldn't detect any leaks. No residue on the oil cap, so hopefully no head gasket trouble. Where do you think the coolant went? Does it sound like I have another issue?

[mpm 0]

mine needs topping up now and again, cant see any leaks, and ive had the compression test done!

[xyber 1]

it will need topping up like any fluids in an engine

[VR6BOY 2]

Make sure you have a blue expansion bottle cap as the black ones do loose coolant over time

[Ch0yc3 0]

Thanks very much for the replies. I think I have the Blue cap, so therefore should it not be using coolant? Was only serviced a couple of months ago which was why I was a bit worried, but I do use the car quite a lot.

While I'm on this thread I thought I'd be cheeky and ask a couple of other questions...

1) My exhaust seems to be blowing somewhere around the front, the noise is most noticeable around the drivers door area. Haven't had a chance to get the car up and have a look underneath yet, but what part of the exhaust sounds like it needs replacing? Could it be an intermediate pipe? Also, would I be able to replace one of these centre parts with a SuperSprint product, as I would like to eventually replace the whole exhaust with SuperSprint, but with all the other things I need doing can't really afford to do the whole thing. Would a centre part (if that's what it is) from SS fit with the rest of the existing VW exhaust.

and

2) What HT leads should I go for? VW want around £90 for OE, and it seems the 8mm Magnecor ones are around that price too. Which would you recommend, as my mechanic is very insistent on OE parts.

Thanks once again!

[Andy Mac 1]

Hi Ch0yc3,

With regards to the blowing exhaust it sounds like a problem I had. On the Cat section there is a small access hole with a small rubber 'thing' in it which seems to come out over time. Think a few of the other members on here have had this problem. All i have done is fill this hole with a screw and problem seems to be solved.

Like this thread by the way as I need a whole load of new OE parts for my 96 VR6

[xyber 1]

Ive got 8mm magnecors on the way , id rather pay the £££ for them rather than standard ones as they have a 10 year warranty and I begrudge giving money to main stealers unless i have no other option haha