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Cross-country breakdown: Universal part swap or wait for OEM?
My truck's fuel pump died during a Nevada road trip. I can get a universal part locally now, or order the exact one and wait for days. Which choice makes more sense for a mechanic on the move?
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danielw122mo ago
How often have you seen a universal pump fail way sooner than the OEM one? I've put them in to get a vehicle home, but then had them start whining or losing pressure after just a few months. That's another shop visit and more money. Is getting moving right now worth possibly doing the job twice?
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I put a universal pump in my old pickup to make it to a wedding in Arizona. It sounded like a bag of angry bees by the time I got home, but hey, the bride never knew. Isn't the point just to stop being stuck?
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dixon.iris2mo ago
Man, I used to be the guy who would always say wait for the exact OEM part. Changed my mind after getting stuck myself. Being broken down in the middle of nowhere is the worst, and days is a long time. Get the universal part running and get home, you can always swap it later if it gives you trouble.
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