Oil Seals: OEM vs Aftermarket

[nobb]

I usually like to stick with OEM on critical parts and just wanted the community's thoughts on oil seals (eg. rear main, crankshaft, camshaft, axle, etc...). With such a simple part, is there much to go wrong with an aftermarket seal? Are there brands which are better to stick with and have you guys ever had any problems with aftermarket brands?

More specifically, I'm going to be piecing together a kit to do my timing belt soon and I figure I'll also do the camshaft and crankshaft oil seals while I'm in there. Last year I replaced my rear main seal with a Victor Reinz seal while I was swapping out the clutch.

I do like OEM parts, but when the price difference is $10 vs $50 for the same part, it's hard to justify that extra cost. The low Canadian dollar is also making OEM parts more expensive than usual.

 

[ThorInc]

IMHO, seals should always be OEM. Sensors too...

 

[UnderFire]

SKF and National are good quality, and I'm sure there are others too, but any offbrand super cheap stuff you'll notice a significant difference in quality.

 

[absalom]

It's so much work just to save a little $$. I mean if it were something accessible, i.e. tie rod, bushings, etc, I'd say go for it. But you're pulling the whole trans to access your rear main, it's certainly not something I'd want to do twice ... this coming from a very, very cheap man!

 

[808islerunner]

Like mentioned earlier SKF and National are good seals, I myself have never had any issues using them, or Felpro seals. I really think that proper installation is the key, using the right lube or tools to install it also is the main thing. Everyone will have their own opinion so it's basically what give you peace of mind.

 

[stir_fry_boy]

You want to put 6-8 hours worth of work into the truck and chance $40? You are crazy. Even for $100, I wouldn't chance it. Go all OEM. $40 is pennies compared to everything else you are spending to do a job like that. You will be surprised on quality difference between OEM and aftermarket.

 

[m88tow]

Quality aftermarket seals are fine....I have used them in many different makes of engines over the years with no issues. I have rebuilt more engines then I care to remember and haven't had issues but I also use the proper tools to install seals unlike most at home wrench turners. Stick with big name brands and not house brands and you will be fine.

 

[nobb]

I understand the anti OEM comments, but perhaps I should have reworded my original post. I'd be interested in hearing experiences between some of the major brands, if they've failed early, if they've lasted years, etc...

Even some actual facts behind the engineering differences, (material quality, design, visually) of these seals would be appreciated instead of just gut feel. Some of these brands are known to be high quality in the commercial industries so I am curious on what exactly makes them better or worse than OEM.

 

[m88tow]

I understand the anti OEM comments, but perhaps I should have reworded my original post. I'd be interested in hearing experiences between some of the major brands, if they've failed early, if they've lasted years, etc...



Even some actual facts behind the engineering differences, (material quality, design, visually) of these seals would be appreciated instead of just gut feel. Some of these brands are known to be high quality in the commercial industries so I am curious on what exactly makes them better or worse than OEM.

I have been a member on many different vehicle forums over the years of all different makes and Toyota forums are always saying to stick to OEM more than any other forum....I get it Toyota builds quality vehicles but aftermarket companies make quality parts and often make improvements over stock.

 

[stir_fry_boy]

I have been a member on many different vehicle forums over the years of all different makes and Toyota forums are always saying to stick to OEM more than any other forum....I get it Toyota builds quality vehicles but aftermarket companies make quality parts and often make improvements over stock.

If they are problematic, yes then aftermarket would be better. If not problematic, stick with OEM and you won't have to worry about quality.

The risk of not using OEM does not outweigh any benefit of saving $40. Plain and simple. You could argue all day about "Well this ________ brand is good." While it may be, why would you risk it?

 

[m88tow]

If they are problematic, yes then aftermarket would be better. If not problematic, stick with OEM and you won't have to worry about quality.



The risk of not using OEM does not outweigh any benefit of saving $40. Plain and simple. You could argue all day about "Well this ________ brand is good." While it may be, why would you risk it?

Haha, it's not a risk in my book. I have been turning wrenches a long time and not had a problem yet and don't think I will start to have one either. Pay more for the same quality all you want, choice is up to you.

 

[stir_fry_boy]

I understand the anti OEM comments, but perhaps I should have reworded my original post. I'd be interested in hearing experiences between some of the major brands, if they've failed early, if they've lasted years, etc...

Even some actual facts behind the engineering differences, (material quality, design, visually) of these seals would be appreciated instead of just gut feel. Some of these brands are known to be high quality in the commercial industries so I am curious on what exactly makes them better or worse than OEM.

It's not gut feel. It's tried and true that Toyota seals last and rarely leak in 200K miles. I just replaced my camshaft, thermostat and crankshaft seals at 205K and absolutely no leaks whatsoever. If it was a Chrysler/GM product that wouldn't be the case.

 

[stir_fry_boy]

Haha, it's not a risk in my book. I have been turning wrenches a long time and not had a problem yet and don't think I will start to have one either. Pay more for the same quality all you want, choice is up to you.

Seriously? My philosophy is do the job once, do it right, and cry once. Try using a non-OEM timing tensioner in a Honda V6 and see what happens.

How do you know they are the same quality?

 

[m88tow]

Seriously? My philosophy is do the job once, do it right, and cry once. Try using a non-OEM timing tensioner in a Honda V6 and see what happens.

How do you know they are the same quality?

I don't have come backs my friend, I always get it done right the first time. You can argue all you want but the thing is you can't prove what you are saying. Quality aftermarket parts are as good or better than OEM. You do realize that the majority of the time the parts built for your 20 year old truck are now being made by a completely different manufacturer and process right?

 

[stir_fry_boy]

I don't have come backs my friend, I always get it done right the first time. You can argue all you want but the thing is you can't prove what you are saying. Quality aftermarket parts are as good or better than OEM. You do realize that the majority of the time the parts built for your 20 year old truck are now being made by a completely different manufacturer and process right?

So you make more money by putting in aftermarket parts?

Yes, I realize that the parts built for a 20 year old truck (mine is 14) are now being made by a different manufacturer and process. On the flip side, I know that they are manufactured to Toyota standards.

I'm not trying to prove that the only way to go is OEM. What I'm saying is that it's not worth the risk of part failure putting in aftermarket to save $40 when the whole job costs several hundred. $40 is nothing, and it's not worth worrying about.

 

[m88tow]

So you make more money by putting in aftermarket parts?



Yes, I realize that the parts built for a 20 year old truck (mine is 14) are now being made by a different manufacturer and process. On the flip side, I know that they are manufactured to Toyota standards.



I'm not trying to prove that the only way to go is OEM. What I'm saying is that it's not worth the risk of part failure putting in aftermarket to save $40 when the whole job costs several hundred. $40 is nothing, and it's not worth worrying about.

Actually I make less money using aftermarket parts because the price starts out less so it gets marked up less. I have plenty of happy customers and if I for one second didn't trust seals such as National brand I would not use them.

 

[pluton]

Experienced mechanics and technicians learn, over time, which aftermarket parts are good and which aren't.
The amateur owner/mechanic, who may do one rear main seal in the entire ten year ownership of the vehicle does not have that experience to rely on.
So, in order not to get seriously screwed by making a disastrous choice of poorly made and quickly failing aftermarket replacement parts---which we all know do actually exist--- the safe thing is to go Toyota OEM.

 

[nissanh]

OEM has "NOK" embossed/ written on the rubber. Fake brands have KOK, NOC etc.,
I used national oil seal for front inner grease seal... just a one hit bent it. Always stay with NOK brand seals or OEM.

 

[stir_fry_boy]

Actually I make less money using aftermarket parts because the price starts out less so it gets marked up less. I have plenty of happy customers and if I for one second didn't trust seals such as National brand I would not use them.

Your customers are most likely none the wiser. Sure you save them some money, but how many vehicles do you pull the timing belt out 200k after you replace seals and say "those seals work equally as well as OEM"? The many Toyota techs I've spoken to, the risk of replacing the cam and crank seals at 100k miles does not outweigh the benefits as replacing the original factory seals can produce a leak in and of itself. They rarely, if ever, leak prior to 200k miles.

Like I said, have you ever used an aftermarket timing tensioner on a Honda V6? I know plenty of Honda mechanics that don't work for the dealer that absolutely will not put anything but OEM parts in a Honda when they do a timing belt. All it takes is one failed tensioner that ruined an entire engine.

Same principle, while an aftermarket part may work and be good, it may not be the best. The risks may be low, but the benefit is high for me to put OEM in my truck, however that may not be the case for everyone.

 

[Sdsupra760]

I use nothing but factory seals when it comes to engine gaskets whether i bought them directly from the dealer or sourced them from the aftermarket supplier that makes the part for toyota.. It gets sticky because technically all factory engine seals are aftermarket so to speak because toyota outsources them to aftermarket companies to mass produce them for the them. Now if you can find or buy those same exact seals directly from the original supplier then i purchase them direct but if unsure then the only way to know for sure you are buying the original stuff is to buy from the dealer. And just because nok makes the front engine seals doesnt mean to use the same manufacturer for say valve cover gaskets cuz they are likely made by a different supplier! The term oem is a very loose term in the auto business! It doesnt mean factory at all! Only the oes term means dealer item. Oem just means that that manufacturer makes atleast one part for toyota. But not all nok parts they make are oes. Do not use national or felpro or any of that other junk if at all possible. I have alot of experimce working in cars and when it comes to seals use only OES. The sftermarket junk always leaks after a year or two. The original stuff lasts waaaay longer. Keep your toyota a toyota. And if a repair shop is using the wrong aftermarket parts tou are just getting robbed. The oes stuff costs a premium and is harder for shops to get amd harder formthem to turn a profit on! They try to sell the cheap easy stuff becuse there is more room
For markup and profit at the expense of quality.