Fake part?

[Exp21]

Hi everyone I have an interesting question for the expert ones.

I recently bought a new harmonic damper. Initially I bought a Corteco pulley (produced in 2014), and it was almost identical to the first equipment MB one. Then I made a mistake and I damaged it. So I bought a second one, same brand same code. It arrived totally different. As you can see in pictures, the only mark on it is a "C" and a date of production (2022). The first one (the 2014 one), has many signs about frequency etc, stamped even on the rubber, and the logo "Corteco" on it. It has also concentric circles design on the rear. Not to mention that the suspected one, is oily.

Do you think it's only a different production line, or it is a fake part? It's a 10+ hours job to replace it, I'd not take this risk.

Thank you for help as always

 

[LostKiwi]

10 hours???

Have you got that right? I did mine on my R class in an hour and Cole did the SL500 in under 45 minutes.

 

[Exp21]

B-class, OM640 engine.. a hell of a nightmare

 

[Wighty]

10 hours???

Have you got that right? I did mine on my R class in an hour and Cole did the SL500 in under 45 minutes.

10 hours , That’s Italian Labour rate for you buddy . All those coffees aren’t going to drink themselves .

 

[Exp21]

Ahahah I agree with you I was talking about doing DIY. But even for WIS it's about 10 hours job

 

[LostKiwi]

Explains it a bit but still seems excessive.
As I understand it the engine needs be lowered and starter removed. Looking at the lowering process it doesn't look that time consuming.

Irrespective, I'd imagine Corteco have probably updated their manufacturing process. Personally I have a rule that the harder something is to do the more likely I'd use genuine parts.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

^+1 genuine parts all the way unless they are going to cost you a King’s ransom - takes all the stress out of the job - they fit and guaranteed quality

 

[Exp21]

Doing it with only trolley jacks and jackstands, engine in, is a real mess. We all know that WIS/ASRA hours are bigger then reality.

You're fully right. But I had a very big expense, I replaced so many parts and the genuine pulley was above 200 euros. It seems strange that a part has no brand or logo on it.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Doing it with only trolley jacks and jackstands, engine in, is a real mess. We all know that WIS/ASRA hours are bigger then reality.

You're fully right. But I had a very big expense, I replaced so many parts and the genuine pulley was above 200 euros. It seems strange that a part has no brand or logo on it.

I don’t think I would use it and appreciate what you said about cost but….‘Chinese copy’

 

[Droverunner]

>>> I have a rule that the harder something is to do the more likely I'd use genuine parts.

100% my view which has been developed over decades... and in particular regarding taking a chance on a used part.

 

[Exp21]

Probably Corteco produced the MB first equipment pulleys until let's say 2015, then they changed production.
Difficult to say if it's fake or not.
Thank you

 

[horatio]

Would they really bother faking a Corteco crankshaft pulley for a B Class? They probably just updated the design for whatever reason. Personally I would just install it.

 

[Exp21]

Same thing I thought. But considering that pulleys prices range from 40 to 170 euros, it could be a low quality part sold for high quality at twice the price. Anyway not the end of the world

 

[ajlsl600]

Doing it with only trolley jacks and jackstands, engine in, is a real mess. We all know that WIS/ASRA hours are bigger then reality.

You're fully right. But I had a very big expense, I replaced so many parts and the genuine pulley was above 200 euros. It seems strange that a part has no brand or logo on it.

Thing is, do you want to do job 2x or 1? Try to hunt down a cheaper correct pt. Maybe even a genuine used/inspected one, I hate doing anything on my kit 2x I will fit pattern parts in easy to get at places only.