Carver Owners Forum

EDIT: I screwed up on the poll title. Should have been .Do you use aftermarket parts. Maybe Adim can edit it?

Just curious regarding aftermarket parts. Sometimes the original parts are so overpriced or difficult to find or simply backordered and therefor many go with aftermarket. There are brands like Sierra that specialize in this and seem to be trusted by many. I myself tend to go aftermarket on many items such as filters and lubrication. Have bought quite a few aftermarket impellers also.

When under warranty I always use OEM. With no warranty it depends on a few factors. Cost, availability, reputation of the part/manufacture. In my car (2003 Town Car) I use almost all aftermarket parts. Exceptions are things like fuel pumps. I almost always pay extra for OEM because that have a better reputation and they can tend to be very difficult to replace. Those are the kinds of repairs you hope to never have to do again.

So, for me, critical components or difficult to repair/replace parts get OEM. Everything else get aftermarket.

I try to replace with what is there. Never try to weasel out unless the oem is way too costly. But, I rather buy it once than buying it 3 times.. if you know what I mean.

I have no problem using aftermarket, however there are some things I just won't touch through aftermarket sources. You get to find out through experience and industry word of mouth what's okay and what isn't. It boils down to specs and component quality. You may find spec info but individual component quality information isn't always readily available. In some systems, some of these variables are important.

As mentioned above, stick with OEM during the warranty period. You may also consider that logic for a few years after warranty expiry as OEMs can be flexible on a failure as a goodwill gesture. Some parts also show up on a campaign (recall) after warranty has expired, if you've already replaced that part with an aftermarket one, you're out of luck for campaign coverage. Also consider that there are bulletins issued for OEM parts on a regular basis based on feedback from the field. While some aren't that critical, others are and usually take quite a while for the aftermarket sources to correct, so you might unknowingly be installing an aftermarket part designed to be a copy of the OEM's that the OEM has recently deemed to be problematic.

Sorry Hans, I don't think I can choose one of the options. Mine would be something like "Aftermarket for certain things only"

Sorry Hans, I don't think I can choose one of the options. Mine would be something like "Aftermarket for certain things only"

Hmmm, that option seems to be available all of a sudden.

oem when it makes since or warranty and oem where feasable and cost is a factor and after research

For me it depends on the part, if it is a choice between sierra and oem, I would probably choose the oem. Now for things that are clearly just aftermarket parts painted and sold by the oem then aftermarket all the way.

Filters and oil have better choices aftermarket Imo.

Mercury, Volvo, Crusader etc, do not "make" oil, filters, gaskets, impellers, manifolds, etc. They provide specs and source them from third party manufacturer's. As such, I have no issue using parts from a known aftermarket seller that meets the OEM specs. They are all most likely made in the same high quality Chinese factory, with different labels affixed!

I tend to lean towards OEM but will use aftermarket now and then.

Same here. Lean to OEM, unless part is obsolete and NA. Filters are Sierra though. My mechanic ( Mr Magic ) has no issue with Sierra filters, especially the way I handle the throttles. Ignition system is all Delco though, which is OEM for Crusaders. Thinking too much. er