In more than 10 years of owning my M109 I came across several very low quality parts which I bought from surplus dealers and which had the appearance of being genuine military contract items. They came in sealed packages bearing the part National Stock Number, contract number, etc. I almost lost my multifuel engine due to a defective oil pressure sending unit. It was brand new, in a sealed package with usual markings. Just after installing it, I started up the engine and it was a good thing that I left the hood open. In about 10 seconds after starting the engine, the entire top of the oil sending unit blew off, spewing about 2 gallons of oil all over the engine. When I saw this happen, I immediately shut off the engine, so no harm was done. I got another oil pressure sending unit from the CMS company in Augusta, GA (now out of business), and never had a problem with that unit.
Another example was the red button starter switch. I bought several of these brand new in sealed packages. They were absolute junk. I tried all of them and they each lasted about a week. Then they simply would not start the truck. I ended up buying and installing a used starter switch and it has been working properly for years now. There was nothing else wrong, the starter was fine, and so was the starter relay.
The lesson learned here is that there are bad quality critical parts out there that can cause a lot of grief to the user. Be careful what you buy and install on your truck. Whereas failure of some parts like low quality split front knuckles boots, is not that big of a deal, a failed oil pressure sender can cost you an engine. I am not blaming the surplus dealers for selling this stuff, as they probably bought it at government auctions thinking that it is a genuine military contract item. And perhaps it was, but very poorly built.
I just thought I share this experience before something like this happens to someone else.
Another example was the red button starter switch. I bought several of these brand new in sealed packages. They were absolute junk. I tried all of them and they each lasted about a week. Then they simply would not start the truck. I ended up buying and installing a used starter switch and it has been working properly for years now. There was nothing else wrong, the starter was fine, and so was the starter relay.
The lesson learned here is that there are bad quality critical parts out there that can cause a lot of grief to the user. Be careful what you buy and install on your truck. Whereas failure of some parts like low quality split front knuckles boots, is not that big of a deal, a failed oil pressure sender can cost you an engine. I am not blaming the surplus dealers for selling this stuff, as they probably bought it at government auctions thinking that it is a genuine military contract item. And perhaps it was, but very poorly built.
I just thought I share this experience before something like this happens to someone else.
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