How bad are prothe's parts?

[RunninWild]

I've read some pretty negative things about the quality of prothe's parts but some of his prices are pretty good. I know better then using them for internal or anything major but how bad would they be for things like these?
http://www.hansautoparts.com/028105263DCrankshaftGear.aspx Crank sproket
http://www.hansautoparts.com/19SuperTimingBeltSet.aspx Timing belt kit with timing tools
http://www.hansautoparts.com/Rebuilt19AAZPump.aspx "Rebuilt / flow tested" Injection pump? (skeptical on this one)
http://www.hansautoparts.com/028103171BCrankshaftOilSeal.aspx Rear main seal

[theman53]

I would not do any, but if you had to the timing tools have been tested ok. All the others prepare to do the job again.

[RunninWild]

is the timing belt and tensioner alright as well or just the timing tools? And the crank sproket? $8 is a pretty good deal, its just a hunk of metal basically, as long as the teeth are in the proper position in relation to the D shape it should be fine no?

[Gizmoman]

is the timing belt and tensioner alright as well or just the timing tools? And the crank sproket? $8 is a pretty good deal, its just a hunk of metal basically, as long as the teeth are in the proper position in relation to the D shape it should be fine no?

While it may look like a hunk of metal, (and at 8 bucks it could be) the proper tolerances are critical. Remember, it drives your cam which operates your interference valves. A quality part price is still reasonable if you do a search.
In fairness to the maker of the 8 dollar part, it may be perfect. Personally, I'd feel better with THIS specific part from a high quality manufacturer.

[RunninWild]

Hey Gizmo, I just read your sig and your build is pretty similar to what I'm planning with mine, although mines going into a samurai instead of a vanagon. I'm curious how much boost your running and what your mpg is like? I havn't really read any info on fuel mileage on tuned diesels and was just curious how much of an impact higher boost/fuel affects mileage?

[745 turbogreasel]

They are good enough he only needs a new business name  every couple years.

[sgnimj96]

    I would shop around a little and step it up for that timing belt and tensioner.      I bought the "full" kit for my 1.6 and later decided to get a name brand belt and tensioner as the prothe ones looked kinda "soft".    The ones I got from rockauto were pretty cheap as well.      The kit for your AAZ costs more either way,  but not much more for a name brand.       
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1993-1995-VW-Jetta-Golf-Passat-Diesel-Timing-Belt-Kit-/300682816888?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item460217ad78&vxp=mtr
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/catalog.php?catalog=294&partnum=K025223XS&a=Search+for+GATES+K025223XS
  I like hansauto because they fill some voids in parts selection,   but there are a lot of timing belts out there to be had; 
  However, even with the timing tool kit I've seen some good deals on ebay for better quality dial indicators with the adapter.    The other 2 pieces (locking pin and plate) are nothing special.

[jlpst94]

It's 99% garbage.  As a rookie I bought injectors from there and eventually threw them in the garbage after pop testing them.   I would not buy anything that crucial to the engine from them. Timing belts, tensioners, etc...    I did get a few rad hoses that held up but I'm definitely not buying from there again. 

[Gizmoman]

Hey Gizmo, I just read your sig and your build is pretty similar to what I'm planning with mine, although mines going into a samurai instead of a vanagon. I'm curious how much boost your running and what your mpg is like? I havn't really read any info on fuel mileage on tuned diesels and was just curious how much of an impact higher boost/fuel affects mileage?

Off topic but it's your topic.
I'm not enough of an expert to say if my mileage is based on boost. I run up to 20 for short periods (rarely) and my mileage is around 22 MPG which is not good from what I have read. I need to send my pump back to Giles at some point because it was set up for a K14.
Boost and fuel are related though and it makes sense that mileage will suffer if you increase it over the typical stock 10-12 PSI.
That said, the van moves at a more acceptable speed than it did.

[theman53]

is the timing belt and tensioner alright as well or just the timing tools? And the crank sproket? $8 is a pretty good deal, its just a hunk of metal basically, as long as the teeth are in the proper position in relation to the D shape it should be fine no?

Did you not see?

I would not do any, but if you had to the timing tools have been tested ok. All the others prepare to do the job again.

Nothing from him is good. The timing tools have been used by people here and they are OK at best, much better to be had. If you use his parts no matter what it is it will break sooner than later. I don't care if it is a timing belt tensioner or a bumper light, it is all junk. If you plan on having the vehicle less than 5 months you could give them a shot, if not you are further ahead to buy good parts the first time. Especially the timing belt and related parts, which will destroy your entire engine when they fail.

[RabbitJockey]

Use your head, there are certain parts i would and wouldnt buy, like intake and exhaust gaskets yep, headgasket nope.  Exhaust manifold yeah, turbo no, and rubber parts i definitely would not buy, cheap rubber does not last.

[Brian schanafelt]

When I first built my engine I put a turbo kit from prothe and a head gasket also the head gasket went in. 250 miles so bought a victor reins gasket and put arp studs on it.... The turbo  has lasted for 60,000 miles with no problems... But guess I got lucky especially running 15 to 17 pounds boost ... Didn't know his stuff was crap till I started reading a lot of negitive things. So I'm ditching the ko3 from him and looking for a ko4 or k14 that will hold up a lot better...  The ko3 was a little screamer though...

[vanbcguy]

His timing belt kits are legendary for breaking without warning, don't even THINK about it. 

The timing belt and its associated tensioners/pullies/etc are the LAST place to cheap out on these engines.  Go ahead and run a crappy rebuilt alternator, starter, power steering pump, whatever - if those fail they don't usually take out anything else though personally I hate walking. 

Saving $30 on a timing belt kit can easily cost you your engine, it's absolutely not worth it.  Gates/Continental kits are readily available for somewhere around $60 for the 1.6 engines.