2000 Sportage Aftermarket parts

Greetings again everyone!!!
I would like to know anyone's opinion on buying aftermarket parts for a 2000 Kia Sportage.

for example: I am going to replace my timing belt. Kia wants $112 for it. I found it at PartsDinosaur.com for $15. However, it is an aftermarket part and I am somewhat leary about buying it. Does anyone have any feedback for me on this? I have gotten valuable info already from this forum and value the info I get here.
Thanks,
Vanessa :cool:

Greetings again everyone!!!
I would like to know anyone's opinion on buying aftermarket parts for a 2000 Kia Sportage.

for example: I am going to replace my timing belt. Kia wants $112 for it. I found it at PartsDinosaur.com for $15. However, it is an aftermarket part and I am somewhat leary about buying it. Does anyone have any feedback for me on this? I have gotten valuable info already from this forum and value the info I get here.
Thanks,
Vanessa :cool:
I have bought 2 sets from Bruce for my 2 Sportages. he was super. the belts are first class, in fact even better then what Kia supplies. besure to get the water pump at the same time, he has a package deal. you have to take it off anyway, might as well replace it. Also he supplies a new set of roller bearing pulleys, and besure to ask for the tensioner spring. it's a little thing but important. The package deal was under $100 and I had it the next day. My mechanic likes to change the pumps because you have to re-tension the belts anyway, now you are putting more strain on the waterpump bearings, best to change them when you have them off. Also buy a set of fan belts, and change all three at the same time, especially the A/c belt. it's the hardest to tension. while you have everything off, it's a "might as well" deal. I also changed the plugs while the intake was off. But I can vouch for Bruce, he's a real standup kind of guy, honest and delivers what is promised. I took a chance on ebay, he came through with flying colors, and I did the same thing again only directly with him. You can call him on the phone and he will take the time to explain anything you need. Even sent me copies of the installation manual and torque specifications. Note that the factory belt is only good for 50,000 miles, then you have to do this again at 40,000-45,000, and then after. The sportages put a lot of strain on the timing belts. It's about a 3 hour job labor wise

Oh man, thanks for all the info. You know, I also joined a Kia Sportage forum and have yet to get a reply from anyone there. Even though there are a lot of complaints logged on that site. I greatly appreciate everything the members here do. Also, do you think the timing belt is something I can do????? Or, do you think it's best I still take it to Kia and let them do the work. They said they would install the parts I supply as well.
I'm pretty "mechanic" savvy when I have to be. Along with my husband, and the cars we've had over the years, we've done alot of vehicle engine work. Just not sure about the timing.
Thanks again!
Look forward to hearing from you!
Vanessa

QUOTE=Helixrider]I have bought 2 sets from Bruce for my 2 Sportages. he was super. the belts are first class, in fact even better then what Kia supplies. besure to get the water pump at the same time, he has a package deal. you have to take it off anyway, might as well replace it. Also he supplies a new set of roller bearing pulleys, and besure to ask for the tensioner spring. it's a little thing but important. The package deal was under $100 and I had it the next day. My mechanic likes to change the pumps because you have to re-tension the belts anyway, now you are putting more strain on the waterpump bearings, best to change them when you have them off. Also buy a set of fan belts, and change all three at the same time, especially the A/c belt. it's the hardest to tension. while you have everything off, it's a "might as well" deal. I also changed the plugs while the intake was off. But I can vouch for Bruce, he's a real standup kind of guy, honest and delivers what is promised. I took a chance on ebay, he came through with flying colors, and I did the same thing again only directly with him. You can call him on the phone and he will take the time to explain anything you need. Even sent me copies of the installation manual and torque specifications. Note that the factory belt is only good for 50,000 miles, then you have to do this again at 40,000-45,000, and then after. The sportages put a lot of strain on the timing belts. It's about a 3 hour job labor wise[/QUOTE]

Oh man, thanks for all the info. You know, I also joined a Kia Sportage forum and have yet to get a reply from anyone there. Even though there are a lot of complaints logged on that site. I greatly appreciate everything the members here do. Also, do you think the timing belt is something I can do????? Or, do you think it's best I still take it to Kia and let them do the work. They said they would install the parts I supply as well.
I'm pretty "mechanic" savvy when I have to be. Along with my husband, and the cars we've had over the years, we've done alot of vehicle engine work. Just not sure about the timing.
Thanks again!
Look forward to hearing from you!
Vanessa

QUOTE=Helixrider]I have bought 2 sets from Bruce for my 2 Sportages. he was super. the belts are first class, in fact even better then what Kia supplies. besure to get the water pump at the same time, he has a package deal. you have to take it off anyway, might as well replace it. Also he supplies a new set of roller bearing pulleys, and besure to ask for the tensioner spring. it's a little thing but important. The package deal was under $100 and I had it the next day. My mechanic likes to change the pumps because you have to re-tension the belts anyway, now you are putting more strain on the waterpump bearings, best to change them when you have them off. Also buy a set of fan belts, and change all three at the same time, especially the A/c belt. it's the hardest to tension. while you have everything off, it's a "might as well" deal. I also changed the plugs while the intake was off. But I can vouch for Bruce, he's a real standup kind of guy, honest and delivers what is promised. I took a chance on ebay, he came through with flying colors, and I did the same thing again only directly with him. You can call him on the phone and he will take the time to explain anything you need. Even sent me copies of the installation manual and torque specifications. Note that the factory belt is only good for 50,000 miles, then you have to do this again at 40,000-45,000, and then after. The sportages put a lot of strain on the timing belts. It's about a 3 hour job labor wise[/QUOTE]

[/QUOTE]
It's not an easy job. I had my mechanic do it. cost $350 labor at NY rates ($90/hr). If you don't get it set up just right you could put a valve through a piston. Brakes I'll tackle, this I left for him, I supplied the parts, but then when this was finished, what's left on the engine, not much for a long time. so I bite the bullet. asid from that I've really had no problems on my 2001, and my 2000 Sportages. with the exception of a little corrosion on a EGR valve connector. I just called Bruce and ordered the whole kit and that was that. In the spring I will do the same thing with my wifes Saturn.

Note that the factory belt is only good for 50,000 miles, then you have to do this again at 40,000-45,000, and then after. The sportages put a lot of strain on the timing belts. It's about a 3 hour job labor wise


That is simply not true. The recommended change interval is every 60K miles. And if you closely examine the factory shop manual you'll discover that the timing belt is "wear rated" to 105,000 miles. However, it is not advisable that you go that long. So your statement that Sportage engines put alot of strain on the timing belt has no merit in fact.


Also, I would talk to your mechanic "Bruce" about cleaning the corrosion on the supposed EGR connector. 1997 was the last year that the DOHC engine had an EGR valve. Starting in 1998 it was eliminated. So what did he in fact clean up?