Timing belt job with 'URO' parts? Would you?

[Klug]

So sometime last year, I started to purchase the goodies I needed to perform a TB job, it all sat in a box and collected dust until I took everything out tonight to tackle the job this weekend. Started to get everything in order and noticed that both my tensioner and water pump are made by "URO". Doing a few searches I found some not so great reviews about them. I don't want these two parts shitting the bed.

So I'm thinking- as far as water pumps go, I've heard both good/bad reviews for GRAF, GEBA and HEPU. Other than remanufactured OEM, what is my best bet?

At the end I don't want to be doing this again down the road because of a sub-quality part, so I'll get what is needed. I'm an idiot for buying cheap from Rockauto

FYI- I'm only about 20k in on the current belt that was done by the PO- I hear a squeal at anything over 4.5k and figure it is something with the water pump, tensioner or fan clutch and I'd also feel more comfortable doing this job myself knowing it was correctly done.

[SkiFree]

WP reviews should be taken with a grain of salt since production batches fluctuate.

Right now GEBA's last batch I've been getting are all made in Germany and are very clean (stashing away one for myself if that means anything).

Honestly I'm pretty comfortable with all the aftermarket WP's at the moment (excluding the Uro, simply because I haven't seen one in the last 6 months).

[estoguy]

Personally, I've heard a lot of negatives on Uro. Never used any of their stuff myself.

If you're worried about it, change it a bit sooner than you normally would.

[redlightpete]

I was going to say don't do it, but maybe it depends on your tolerance for waterpump failures. Any cheap tensioner should survive for one timing belt, and if the waterpump fails it will probably just start leaking. I wouldn't use a URO timing belt though. It's too critical, and quality ones are inexpensive.

[LateFan]

I vote no on URO. "URO" doesn't mean "Euro"....I believe they're one of the Chinese suppliers with a Euro-sounding name. I've had some crappy hoses and such from them.

For belts, go with Continental or Gates.

[uturn]

Never used "URO" timing components but bought a few of their hoses which all failed within the year. Every time I see URO I think urology...

[MR 325]

Uro makes nothing good.

[FL318is]

My experience with URO seals on my 02 are not good. I can't endorse them.

[nando]

the belt is probably fine, what I'd be terrified of is the tensioner. the rivets on the back of the cheap brands are poor quality and shear off, causing instant destruction. having a new belt doesn't do any good when the tensioners fail.

[Klug]

So I only purchased the Uro tensioner and water pump. I have a Continental belt, Elring gaskets, Rein/OEM coolant hoses etc

I'm going to order a GEBA pump and an OEM tensioner today. I also have a friend who works for BMW manufacturing and hes going to see if he can get me a discount on a remanufactured OEM pump- we will see!

Thanks for all your input- I'm not going to risk using cheap parts on crucial items. These URO parts are getting RETURNED.

[101]

^^^ Best decision you will make today. Nothing good can come from using a Uro part.

I've had no issues with using GEBA or GRAF water pumps.

[digger]

oil pump, water pump and fuel pump i always use the best quality as the engine wont run well if any of those fail

[estoguy]

I've always used Continental timing belts.

My last water pump was a Hepu... so far so good. :)

[gtdragon980]

Conti Kit FTW!

[EatsHondas]

URO is garbage for sure. You get what you pay for.

I am using Elring gaskets (head and misc.) and o-rings and a GRAF water pump. Would definitely recommend both brands. Zero problems.