Technical eBay false economy parts

[glowplug]

During my journey to extend the life of my multi I purchased a good number of parts on ebay during winter in anticipation of starting the job once the weather improved. I previously mentioned the bogus shocks I bought being these

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-Front-Shock-Absorbers-Pair-FIAT-MULTIPLA-1999-2010-Protection-KIT-GH-/181924596177?fits=Model%3AMultipla&hash=item2a5b8d09d1:g:jrEAAOSwT5tWPOW9

The seller is still selling them despite my emailing him to tell him they don't fit.

I also bought 2 x Bolk Crankshaft pulley's (they aren't Bolk at all but rather 3rgindustrial which is a Spanish outfit who in turn I suspect gets their stuff from China. These were BOTH duffers and both failed within 5 minutes of running. Also they look NOTHING like the picture shown.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BOLK-Belt-Pulley-crankshaft-FIAT-STILO-DOBLO-MULTIPLA-ALFA-ROMEO-156-BOL-852-/191036170100?hash=item2c7aa49f74:g:c3gAAOSwwNVTvAL2

Then I bought a KEY PARTS water pump. NOTE this is a COMMON product sold by local auto factors so be warned. This I suspect failed from day one but my disbelief that a new water pump could be the cause of my water loss convinced me that the system was still bleeding itself. Unfortunately removal of the timing cover quickly revealed that indeed the pump was leaking from the weep hole. Now I should have suspected that the quality of these was rubbish when the O'ring did not fit properly, being well too thick, and when the paper work suggested adding sealant to the mating surfaces. NO decent water pump fitment guide suggests this, quite the contrary they distinctly tell you not to. See picture below. I have now replaced this with a Graff PA-672 pump which was a very easy fit and did NOT ask for sealant.

Added to this I bought a Crankshaft position sensor which CLEARLY stated in the compatibility guide that it was suitable for my car and reflected a pitcure looking just like mine.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/400770843649?_trksid=p2057872.m2748.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Alas when it arrived it was white and had no cable but rather had a plug, which I suspect may be for the later model. This I sent back and got a refund but lost out on the postage.

Then I bought a steering pump

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321859880357?_trksid=p2057872.m2748.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Again listed as being compatible, but once more when it arrived it clearly was wrong. The seller was VERY helpful but was convinced it was right because his supplier was telling him so. However he also listed this one

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221699510045?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Which whilst saying NOT compatible with my JTD ELX115 did say it was for the JTD 105. Knowing full well they all use the same steering pump I sent him back the original one (he covered the return postage) and ordered this one which has been perfect thus far.

So all in all buying off ebay has thus far cost me more than getting from my local auto factors in the first place.

[URL=http://s207.photobucket.com/user/propnut/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160509_064908_zps4mejz16u.jpg.html][/URL]

 

[steve20vt]

Good thread, I had enough of a game with thermostats lol!

 

[Oletimer]

I've had some many bad experiences from the bay that I now buy only from my local lad, yeah, he's a bit more expensive - BUT - what cost is shoddy gear that you will either need to replace or even worse, kills your car?
I'd even go the STEALER before buying serious parts off the bay.
Buy with care lads, from the bay you don't get the chance to see if it looks right, 'handle' the goods or even chat to guy behind the counter, who, may well know what he's talking about and selling.
Just my take on it
George

 

[Tubthumper73]

I've put my Multi back on the road using Euro car parts, and can't fault them so far, with quickish delivery and bits that have all fitted first time

The only issue I did have was once they sent me a damaged ARB drop link, but replaced that without a quibble and the courier even came to my house to collect the duff link for return.

 

[MultiplaAbarth]

I've used Ebay for years, and bought and sold many items, and it has been an awesome tool, and still is.
However it is getting harder to buy parts that you can trust, I've had quite a few drop links and track rod ends that have failed over a few months, which you'd expect to last a few years, which is very frustrating because of the labour involved , the thing is I dont mind spending a few quid more for good parts, but how do you know?. But yes, eurocar parts are pretty good, so are german and swedish, its just that Ebay is so convenient, and delivery to your door too...
But yes, I am getting much more sceptical of buying CHEAP parts, and yes some of the chinese parts are really suspect, which is a shame, but probably better in the long term, as people will begin to pay a bit more for european made parts....

 

[dave]

This is what free trade in the EU gives us, vote leave

 

[widemouthfrog]

PLEASE mods - can we have this as a sticky? :worship: I've asked for this before:

https://www.fiatforum.com/multipla/352196-quality-replacement-parts.html

As has been observed by others here, the quality and suitability of parts for the Multi is becoming a problem.

The only comment I'd make is (where possible) avoid using links solely to ebay auctions when describing parts. They have an annoying habit of going dead over time, at which point the post becomes about as useful as a chocolate fire guard. I've suffered this many times when searching through old posts both here and on other forums :bang:. Just add a screen grab or a manufacturer/part number with the link. Belt and braces.