Component specialist BGA, who’s products are distributed in Ireland by National Autoparts, has highlighted the quality of its water pumps, with many of these products actually exceeding OE specification.

The company says the operating environments for a water pump in a new low mileage vehicle is vastly different from that of a higher mileage vehicle that may have done 60000 or maybe even 100000 miles. BGA’s quality engineers therefore are not simply satisfied with just matching OE quality, their experience in testing engine components in the aftermarket drives them to develop products that are suitable for the tough conditions of a well-used engine. This is partially due to small contaminants in the cooling or lubrication systems such as carbon deposits or traces of rust that can build up over time, all of which put additional strain on the engine parts. The strain is something that isn’t present in the first few years of a cars life, making it a completely different consideration when deciding on materials, manufacturing methods, testing, and engineering principals for an aftermarket product.

With this in mind each component that goes into a BGA Water Pump is carefully developed and tested to ensure it is the best option for product longevity and a level of quality that is comparable to, or exceeding, OE specification. These include:

• Pulleys – produced according to the OE profile, these eliminate noises and vibrations
• Bearings – high load capacity bearings are built for endurance
• O-rings – the highest quality NBR rubber is used, for a perfect seal - every time
• Seals – make use of OE quality silicon carbide mechanical seals, for higher resistance to contaminant damage
• Impeller – made from corrosion resistant aluminium and steel that last longer and are less brittle.

Once all of the components have been tested individually and are ready for production they are then assembled and put through further testing to ensure the lifespan is according to BGA’s required specification. BGA says that by adhering to these high standards its pumps can combat many of the issues that can lead to pump failure. These include;

• Cooling system contamination – Particles contaminating the system will wear the water pump seal.
• Shaft breakage – The bearing can fail due to a sudden overload caused by vibration or imbalance, resulting in the shaft breaking.
• Casing breakage - A badly worn fan clutch or bent fan can cause heavy vibration or imbalance which can result in the casing failing.
• Seal damage - Cold coolant added to an overheated engine can cause thermal shock damage to the seal.

To combat the stress and strain that can naturally be put upon a new component fitted to a well-worn-in engine, BGA developed many in house testing facilities with bespoke equipment that is purpose built for putting newly developed parts and concepts through their paces. This process finds wearable parts in a product, allowing engineers to examine and understand before re-testing and reengineering until a satisfactory product is produced.  For example, OE pumps often feature a Ceramic seal which is upgraded in many BGA Water Pumps with the use of Silica Carbide, which is of a much higher quality and better suited to the challenges of a well-used vehicle. BGA will also often utilise alternative bearing configurations such as replacing the OE ball-ball configuration for an upgraded Ball-Roller design which is better suited for heavier loads.

BGA water pumps are available from stockists nationwide.