Interesting video on counterfeit parts

Yep, I think I've watched ALL of his videos these past few years and he's answered many of my questions I've posted.

My only bad experience with counterfeit parts was in 2005 when I ordered an electronic part for my Tacoma. I don't remember what it was for, something to do with trying to connect a CD player to my control unit...so it was just a cable. It came from China and was actually for a Tundra, not a Tacoma (wrong plug on one end.) I was going to mail it back to swap for the right one but cost of shipping was actually more than the stupid thing...so I just chucked it.

For OEM parts, I just go to the dealer but for a large number of items I've ordered on-line from Sparks Toyota and from Amayama. There are a few Toyota dealers who sell on Amazon and I've bought oil and air filters at bulk prices to save money.

 

Was it an actual counterfeit (advertised as Toyota and using Toyota logos and packaging)? Or was it just a knock-off (alternative part from a different vendor, not lying about its branding)?

 

Watching the video will answer that question: Bottom line: YES
That’s one reason I won’t buy even an oil filter from Amazon or Walmart. Ironically, the Prius Gen 4 oil filter at my local Walmart is nearly $2 more than the dealership!

 

I haven't seen the video about the CD player cable that ColoradoBoo ordered.

 

Isn't the Gen 4 oil filter a spin on like a 4397 or something like that I mean are we really still in the stages that were arguing over oil filter quality seriously after all the years of cutting open oil filters in the '70s and arguing about fram and STP and so on and so forth I guess we have an evolved much past that huh? Oil filters are really that big of a business in that costly that people need to make fakes that is really something.

 

I received a set of counterfeit spark plugs for our 2010 Camry 3.5L from an Amazon seller. Looked legitimate, until compared side by side with plugs purchased from NAPA autoparts. I believe they were Denso iridium plugs.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

I've been distributor for denso plugs since the '80s when they were first introduced into this market was a long uphill battle ZU fine wire racing plugs all that nonsense. I can hold the denso spark plug in my hand and tell you if it's a fake very quickly I look at them all the time All of the different models the twin tips the ZU so on and so forth.

 

My mistake in misunderstanding your post. Sorry

 

Your labor Costs more than the part. Imagine redoing the job and doubting your diagnosis as a result?

 

Yes and the reason the mechanics I know don't want to use parts in that the owner brings in. When the mechanic buys from a supplier, they have a warranty and even can charge a little of the labor costs if the part is defective...not so when the part is brought in by a customer. I was surprised to see The Car Care nut say he would install that water pump but, of course, he seems pretty good at spotting counterfeit stuff.

I've done brake job in our cars for years but never used OEM parts. My 2014 Tundra only has 50,000 miles and those brake pads are still good....I'll replace them with an OEM rotar and pads when she's due....amazed they've lasted 10 years. (I have replaced the brake fluid, though.)

 

I was buying parts for my head gasket job and was asking myself this same question - why are the "OEM Toyota" Denso plugs on ebay half the price from even the discount Toyota dealers? And the conclusion I came to is that I should buy them from the dealer. I paid I think $46 for the four plugs. You have affirmed that I made the right choice.

This thread is very helpful -- thanks all

 

For water pumps in particular, any opinion on Genuine Toyota vs Aisin, through Amayama:

https://www.amayama.com/en/part/toyota/161a039015

There's a little discussion here:

Aisin wpt190 pump | PriusChat

 

Aisin is OEM pump, water. But not if u get it on fleabay or Amazon: the Alibaba retailer outlet. Those r Chinese fakes. It'll be a comeback. You don't want to be the mechanic known for comebacks

 

OEM head gasket is around $100. It's 1600 in labor and 100 fluids. Do you really want A come back on that job?

 

My two favorite on-line Toyota parts dealers are Sparks and McGeorge but McGeorge seems to have been changed or removed...not sure what's going on. Both have a email you can send your VIN number and ask specific part questions and they usually reply within a day or two...very helpful. They often reply with a handy parts diagram.

 

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