Is PIERBURG Made in China now?! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Abadjay · #1 07-14-2023, 08:39 PM

It's been a while since I've had a Diesel Benz and I found myself getting a 190D 2.5 nonturbo this past week. It runs fairly strong at 214k mi and naturally I want to keep it that way.

I previously installed a Pierburg Vacuum pump on my 1987 300SDL back over a decade ago and I remember that I had the a Pierburg Made in Germany pump back then.

I bought one off Pelican Parts and had it shipped fast only to find out that the box, albeit Pierburg, had a sticker that said "Made in China". Then opened it up to see that it was pretty much BLANK; no "Made in Germany" anywhere. Just a Pierburg stamp. Pictures included.

Is Pierburg made in China now? It's been over a decade and I know much has changed in the world, but now I feel like I'm going to really have a vacuum pump failure if I install this. Currently in the process of return, but maybe others have Chinese made Pierburgs? Maybe I got jipped? How have YOUR experiences been with Chinese made Pierburgs?

I'm pretty sure they still make these in Germany...

Been rereading GSXR and Hatterasguy's posts again too.

ChrisWC · #2 07-16-2023, 03:06 AM

Bought and installed a Pierburg 7.20607.74.0 back in April 2015, which now has 85 k miles / 136 k km under the belt. No visible marking now, unfortunately.

Original open-bearing style pump had 188 k miles / 300 k km & was in great shape, as well as IP timer cam off course.

A spare is shown - bought 2 and a half years ago, with pretty much identical markings, no "Country of Origin China" marking, though.

- But the font of the printings on the front pump cover itself - is eerily similar to other inspected items and hardware from China.

ChrisWC · #3 07-16-2023, 10:28 AM

Edit: I stand corrected, a closer look and it's definitely "Made in Germany "...

Abadjay · #4 07-16-2023, 01:27 PM

Interesting. I sent an email to Pierburg to verify if their parent company has moved manufacturing to China. I’m debating on putting this in because obviously there have been numerous threads everywhere that show Chinese made vacuum pumps are inferior.

Upon inspection, it looks like this is the single roller close bearing, and looks very similar to the German made one, but just the fact that it’s made in China is throwing me off.

Texasgeezer · #5 07-18-2023, 02:00 PM

Internet shows a Pierburg plant in Shanghai, China plus the German one.

https://www.greencarcongress.com/2019/10/20191021-pierburg.html#:~:text=Production%20facilities%20are%20the%20Pierburg,joint%20venture%20in%20Shanghai %2C%20China.

Wonder if the electric pumps produced would easily replace the old style mechanical ones?

Abadjay · #6 07-18-2023, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texasgeezer

Internet shows a Pierburg plant in Shanghai, China plus the German one.

https://www.greencarcongress.com/2019/10/20191021-pierburg.html#:~:text=Production%20facilities%20are%20the%20Pierburg,joint%20venture%20in%20Shanghai %2C%20China.

Wonder if the electric pumps produced would easily replace the old style mechanical ones?

As an update:

I ordered a pump from Amazon off this link:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07SRCQ5J6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And I can confirm that this is ALSO a Pierburg vacuum pump MADE IN CHINA. I guess this is where they are made now. The [last 4] part number on the box is still 3165.

I guess for now I'm going to install this vacuum pump. I was going to try FCP auto but I'm sure I'll run into the same result (even though they said it's still Made in Germany). I'll just return the Peach Parts one since I live close to to their Torrance location in CA.

Wish me luck! It's still the closed bearing design and I think really that's what's important here... that the bearings don't explode and destroy the engine.

I'll keep you all posted.

ChrisWC · #7 07-19-2023, 02:18 AM

I should've written this earlier - but - if anyone likes the white/blue sticker on the front pump cover, saying "Made in Germany", then those types of pumps are still available many places (including US, Europe). Shows up when doing an image search for "PIERBURG 7.20607.74.0 Germany". Make sure the item no. is correct, and that the imaged product is the actual item.

In any case, before installation of the vacuum pump, I like to pour some oil over bearing, all mechanisms and ports, install the pump with the dam(n) gasket. Then have a funnel with tube, filled with clean engine oil going to the big brake booster port. Put in Neutral, then hand-crank the engine a few turns (edit: in the correct direction), for the pump to suck a bit of oil for initial start-up lubrication. Think I read it somewhere here or other popular forums.

Abadjay · #8 07-19-2023, 11:53 AM

I took out the stock vacuum pump from my 190D and will post pictures later. Basket was still in place so I removed that as this new vacuum pump has the new dam gasket. Lubed up all the moving points, bearing, and put some new oil down the big port on the top.

So far so good, now onto the other things I have planned for the car, but should any vacuum issues arise, I'll post them here.

JHZR2 · #9 07-27-2023, 11:15 PM

I recently bought a Pierburg vacuum pump and it was definitely made in China.

Abadjay · #10 07-28-2023, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JHZR2

I recently bought a Pierburg vacuum pump and it was definitely made in China.

I noticed that after I put this "Pierburg" pump in, it seems weaker.

ChrisWC · #11 07-28-2023, 03:21 AM

How is that manifesting.. doors (edit: exclude that), shutoff valve or??
I mean, I have a liquid filled vacuum gauge at dash (MNS030VC) and within 5-7 seconds (AFAIK) of starting, it is pretty much between the 30 and 25 inHg mark.

Abadjay · #12 07-28-2023, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisWC

How is that manifesting.. doors (edit: exclude that), shutoff valve or??
I mean, I have a liquid filled vacuum gauge at dash (MNS030VC) and within 5-7 seconds (AFAIK) of starting, it is pretty much between the 30 and 25 inHg mark.

That's a good question, but what I've noticed is that when the old pump was on it would shutoff more immediately.

After replacing the vacuum pump it should pause a bit then shut off a bit slower than usual.
EDIT: Also replaced the shutoff valve with marginal success, still slower than I think. I had a 300SDL that shutoff immediately upon moving the key.

Brakes also feel like they need more stepping on, but I also haven't changed the fluid since I got the car. Not sure if that directly impacts it.

Also not sure if I should seal the vacuum lines with a small amount of super glue.

On a totally separate note, I'll be making a separate post for this 190D on my acquisition and journey of maintenance and such.

JHZR2 · #13 07-28-2023, 02:43 PM

I’ve not noticed any difference. Chinese stuff can be junk. And for many reasons I’d rather not buy it. But this is a pretty simple redo of a basic design.

Did you prime the pump with some oil?

Abadjay · #14 07-28-2023, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JHZR2

I’ve not noticed any difference. Chinese stuff can be junk. And for many reasons I’d rather not buy it. But this is a pretty simple redo of a basic design.

Did you prime the pump with some oil?

Yeah I primed the pump with some oil thru the big port.

ChrisWC · #15 08-02-2023, 04:02 PM

Okay, so today I got between 25 and 20 inHg in 5-ish seconds from engine start-up and at "fast" idle RPM. Adjusted slow idle to around 800 RPM, less shaky.
Seem to be between 30 and 25 inHg with normal driving/higher RPM's.
Alarm switch can possibly be nudged if pressing/depressing brake pedal several times in one second. Has never inadvertently activated.

W201 vacuum build-up. (Noisy).