With so many different kinds of aftermarket diesel engine parts on the market today, there’s a ton of conflicting information about their durability, performance, and manufacturing. Some people will tell you that using aftermarket parts in your engine is dangerous and would void your engine’s warranty, while others say some aftermarket parts are even better than the OEM. So who is correct?
If you’re interested in using aftermarket parts in your diesel truck (or any other type of diesel engine), then this article is for you. Here we’ll debunk 5 common myths about using aftermarket parts in your diesel truck and give you an explanation as to why they simply aren’t true.
Myth #1: they are inferior to OEM Parts
Some people believe that any aftermarket part is inferior to an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) part. But that’s simply not true! The truth is that aftermarket parts can be just as good as OEM parts — and sometimes even better!
Quality is something that both HHP and the OEMs take pride in offering. There’s no denying that OEMs will provide quality parts; that’s how they became the big OEMs, after all. The catch with “OEM parts” is that the OEMs don’t actually make all of the parts they sell anymore and consumers generally assume they do.
There will be times when the OEM and the aftermarket company will sell you the exact same product. For example, Miba provides the bearings in several OEMs’ engine rebuild kits. Miba also provides the bearings for some of HHP’s engine rebuild kits. Other manufacturers also used by both OEMs and HHP are Delphi, Mahle, Riken, and Menon.
Myth #2: they voidS YOUR ENGINE’S warranty
This is probably the most common myth about aftermarket parts among diesel truck owners. Even though some dealers would have you believe otherwise, your warranty cannot be voided just by using aftermarket parts or making modifications to your engine.
Consumer products in the US are governed by federal law, the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act. It spells out what warrantors can and cannot do concerning the warranties they provide for their products. The Magnuson Moss Warranty Act specifically forbids manufacturers from forcing consumers to use name-brand parts on their vehicles.
The dealership, however, has the right to reject your warranty claim if the aftermarket part component specifically caused something to break on the vehicle.
Myth #3: they are NOT manufactured in the U.S.
While it’s true that many aftermarket parts are manufactured overseas, it’s not true that they’re all made there. Many aftermarket parts makers create their parts right here in the US with materials sourced domestically.
Unfortunately, some aftermarket manufacturers will not provide quality. We’ve all seen the cheap parts made overseas that fall apart as soon as they’re used with a little bit of power. Back when we first started as a company, we even ordered one of those parts to examine the quality for ourselves and knew as soon as we opened the box that we would never sell something made that poorly to one of our customers.
At HHP, we will only sell you quality parts from manufacturers we trust, many located right here in the USA!
Myth #4: they are all cheaply produced
While it’s true that most auto parts — OEM or aftermarket — are made to similar standards, and that some people choose to buy cheaper parts, it doesn’t mean that all aftermarket parts are the same. There are tons of different aftermarket parts, and each one has a different level of quality.
For example, your fuel injectors have to be made with very specific materials and have to meet very strict specifications to ensure that your engine runs the way it should. While a less critical part, like an air filter, doesn’t have to meet the same standards.
However, here at HHP, we only source our parts from suppliers who manufacture in an ISO 9001:2015 certified facility, ensuring quality and consistency for your diesel engine. Each part is crafted with hard-wearing strength and durability to ensure your engine can withstand the rigors of the road.
Myth #5: OEM parts always perform better
While it’s true that some aftermarket parts do have lower quality and aren’t made to the same standards as OE parts, it’s not true that they all do. In fact, many aftermarket parts are of higher quality than OE parts.
Some manufacturers have even made improvements over the OEM’s original design. Because of patents, aftermarket manufacturing companies have to wait a few years to make parts to fit new engines. When they do finally make them, they take the time to develop the parts properly. For one example, it was aftermarket companies that came up with the innovation of a groove on the inside of rod bearings to help with the passage of oil.
Many of these manufactures also have more engineers working on their products than many manufacturers do, which means they can produce better quality products at a lower cost than their competitors.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, the only thing that really matters is that the parts you’re using are safe and reliable. At HHP our parts are guaranteed for fit and function and have the right combination of quality and price with total support from our on-staff ASE-certified technicians.
There’s no need to get caught up in the “OEM vs aftermarket” debate. Instead, focus on what’s going to work best for your vehicle and your specific needs. If you do that, then you can rest assured that you’re using parts that are safe and reliable.
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