Volvo "Brand" parts

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pjshannon400

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24425
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Finally getting ready to winterize 1999 Four Winns 180 Horizon with Volvo Penta 4.3L GL. Temp was near 80 degrees today!!! I've been using volvo "brand" oil and filters (oil and fuel). That's what the guy who had the boat before me used. Anyone know who actually manufactures these parts? Are they quality, or should I use aftermarket stuff (sierra, penzoil, mobil 1, etc...)? Thanks
 
Stay with Volvo, it's a small savings to go with aftermarket products. Not worth it in my opinion.
 
Depends on the part. Volvo is usually decent quality, but they love to overcharge by about 200% over the OEM retail cost if you can figure it out.

On my 31 diesel, their cost for a starter solenoid was over $475 bucks. It was just over $300 bucks to buy the solenoid ATTACHED to a new starter (still volvo)!

I bought the correct solenoid, good quality, from boatfix for $15 bucks.

I can't remember the cost difference for a drive plate on my 31, but it was again about double and I spent the time to research to true OEM for the exact same part (Torflex).

For little things like oil and filters, usually the difference is not so great. Use whatever will make you maintain it at the proper intervals. If being able to find it easier and use not mfg parts will cause you to not miss scheduled maint, then do it. If you can get Volvo easily and not much more cost, use that.

They're a bunch of crooks on a lot of things. Do your homework.
 
I'm a firm believer in using the manufactures products and dealer services. 1, my 1989 Volvo 740 GLE with 531,000 miles on original engine and tranny... (still my favorite car ever) 2, my 02 Volvo S80 with 135,000 miles...just changed original brakes at 100K with Volvo brakes again... Just my experience
 
I bought a set of spark plugs from Volvo. I opened the box which said Volvo on it and found Champion plugs inside.
 
I guess my real question is "who" actually manufactures the parts. As an example, NAPA Gold oil filters are really WIX filters. I'm sure that Volvo doesn't actually "make" their own filters. They've got to be something else re-labeled. And is their oil brand just Penzoil in a different bottle??? Any ideas.
 
pjshannon, I don't believe Volvo actually makes all of their parts, however, they do spec them to be made to a certain level of quality. Thats what I've been told anyway
 
Look for Marine Parts Express and their "One List", good deals on VP parts.
 
Whoever makes the Volvo part will make it to Volvo specs, or if it was something common, Volvo may have acceptd their specs. I am not sure who makes Volvo oil filters, but lets say its Champion Labs as they make a bunch. So a Volvo filter with a Volvo name on it from Champion Labs will be a good filter, but it does not mean any filter from Champion Labs will be a good filter as they are made to someone's spec, could be high quality or low quality.

In the case of oil filters, there are some probably better than Volvo branded filters such as Mobil 1 and Amsoil Ea.

In the case of spark plugs, if the Volvo is not a NGK, then a NGK is probably better.
 
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