Anyone use the ebay timing belt and WP kits. A couple people say they're good stuff. At less than $100 for everything it's one hell of a savings. I know there is always trussville but anyone here using the fleabay retailers for those OEM components?

 

I used an ebay kit and was impressed with the quality. It worked great and had brand new japanese parts. About 5k miles on it so far and no problems.

 

http://www.carpart.com/
I just bought all that **** from here, and it all went in without a hitch.

 

I used the ebay kit last Decemeber and the parts were fine. The only problems I had with it were ones I caused myself. I will definately be going with another ebay kit when I do my next timing belt change.

 

My dad just did the timing belt in his miata. IIRC the parts cost for *everything* (belt, pump, cas oring, cam cover gasket, whatever other little gaskets, etc) was less than $200 buying all mazda parts. The ebay stuff might be just fine, but IMO it's worth another $100 to get that piece of mind.

 

There was another thread, maybe on m.net, about a guy who bought a non OEM water pump, and it was missing some stuff in the casting.... I don't think it was one of the ebay kits though.....

Personally, I've run with OEM stuff when I've done the changes. Not cheap... but I liked the piece of mind for it......

Dave,

 

Saving $100 for a part that MUST work for 60,000 miles isn't a good idea IMO.

 

I used an ebay timing belt and water pump kit, it included all the gaskets as well as the cam shafts and crank seals, idler pullies, and cam cover gasket. It cost a little over 100$ and I couldn't be happier. I compared everything with what was originally on the car and it all matched great.

 

Think I might use one. If I do i'll post back with my review of it.

 

the 1.6 waterpumps are not the same as the 1.8 FYI. The only reason is that the 1.8 Alternator bolts on to a part of the casting of the waterpump. Why they changed it like that I do not know.

 

I'm going to be changing the spark plugs also... I'm going to go with this


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TIMIN...ayphotohosting

 

It doesn't have to last 60K miles unless you are too lazy to change it again. I've had my timing belt off so many times it's down to about a 45 minute job now... the water pump adds maybe another 30-45 depending on how hard it is to seat the o-ring.

If it last 30K miles I'm satisfied. I have a hair over that on my ebay timing belt and water pump kit at the moment.

 

Another thing to note is that the escort 1.8L (and probably the early '94/'95 miata 1.8) has a different water pump than the '97, I don't know where the '96 falls in to the equation. I had to use my '97 pump anyways (even though it wasn't really compatible with the block) to maintain my alternator mount. Hello sleeve insert and nut for the TB idler

 

thats the post i'm reffering to.. isn't that why your pump is making noises?

 

I asked my dad and found that all the parts for the TB/WP were $170. All mazda parts.

Sorry I wouldn't save $70 here. Too much effort if anything fails to only save $70.

 

He buy from trussville?

 

No, the local dealer.

 

the pump is making noises because the pump is .005 too deep into the block and rubs on the cylinder wall. it does it in both blocks.