timing belt Toyota OEM vs. Aisin (1 Viewer)

[landarcht]

I tried to search this but couldn't find related posts so hopefully someone can provide some insight. There's quite a bit of difference in prices between Toyota dealerships OEM vs. Aisin plus Aisin gets lifetime warranty vs. Toyota has one year. Has anyone had any issues with Aisin? I'm also thinking about doing the radiator as well and they add up quick so need to make sure I get the best value out of this major service.

 

[jsloden]

The Aisin timing belt and water pump kit "TKT021" are what most people purchase. You can get it from rockauto for $185.

 

[97 AZ LC]

There's no such thing as an Aisin timing belt. A company called Aisin Aftermarket consolidates timing belt kits, which typically include a Mitsuboshi timing belt. Mitsuboshi is an OE supplier and their belts in the kit are very likely equivalent to those purchased at the dealer, which can't be said for all the parts in the kit. The price difference between a Mitsuboshi branded belt and the dealer belt is pretty typical for the difference in the two distribution channels.

 

[dbleon]

Some say even though they are OE supplier … they are second tier parts (like maybe they do not meet Toyota QA inspection standards, or some other obscure parameter etc .). Whether or not this is true I don’t think is well known or it is perhaps second hand information.

For example, the (genuine Toyota) Aisin water pump has the Toyota logo cast into it. For non-genuine Toyota distribution this is ground off and replaced by an Aisin sticker. Is the part the same as Toyota? Idk