Water pump Gates or Hepu

When I was shopping around for cooling system replacement parts, I wasn't sure if GRAF or HEPU made a better metal-impellar water pump. I ended up purchasing both the GRAF and HEPU, and found the HEPU to have a better fit and finish compared to the GRAF.

I have had very good experiences with the NEW Gates pumps and they make a replacement tube as well. I have installed them in 17 4.0 engines over the last 4 years and had no comeback failures.

My next car I got a Hepu pump, which FCP lists as an OEM supplier. The impeller is plastic (or composite, I don't remember), but overall the part is so much nicer.

New water pump - HEPU $30.00

Water pumps, I tend to stick with OEM now. Gates used to be great but has gone down hill imo.

The new Gates water pump installed last month started leaking. I have only driven around 1000km. Does this happen a lot for Gates pumps?

Years ago I would use the Gates kit on my 03 Evo with no issue, but a few years back I had a failure (from a different component) after 19k miles and the Gates pump was weeping when I removed it. The shop I use also doesn’t recommend them either so I go OEM for the water pump anymore.

water pump failed at 101,000. Shop replaced under warranty. That next one failed at 110,000. Took a little work since shop changed owners but got the the water pump replaced at no cost. Shop said the two bad ones were Gates

I had nothing but problems with Gates water pumps in my 4Runner - they would always start leaking profusely from the weep hole after a few days of use. Replaced it three times under warranty

I used a Gates kit for the timing belt change and the cheap Chinese water pump water seal failed in 2 years.