part numbers deliberately removed - a genuine sherlock mystery

[alimo20]

does anyone have a guess why a part number would be deliberately removed from a new, unused part number? the only thing i can think of if it was stolen, but i hardly doubt there is a racketeering ring going on around stolen fuel pumps.

the full story:
Fuel pump is dying so I order one from amazon. There was an open box deal on an unused part (less than $100!) for the Bosch version (#67893) of the same part we install in our B6 A4s. Upon arrival, there is a warranty card in the box, already filled out, that declares "wrong part was in the box". I can't see aside from the one Bosch sticker on the pump, that this is indeed a Bosch pump nor are there bosch part numbers still visible. simultaneously notice that most of the part numbers have been rubbed off, deliberately. Cross reference the only remaining part number on the plastic housing (81 305 033 - VDO) with the one on ECS tuning just visually (https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B6_A4...o-1.8T/ES3711/) and see that its the same part. or at least the housing is the same part, which makes me reasonably comfortable this part will work. i'll find out soon i guess.

but why why why were the part numbers rubbed off?? this bothers me more than the shudder in 2nd gear

https://www.dropbox.com/s/qpdbq8wpha...54914.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/home/Public?...309_154925.jpg

[AudiA4_20T]

You haven't heard about the fuel pump underground? Best to take this offline...

[customa4]

Second link is no good.

[eljay]

Some OEM/OES sell both a "genuine OEM" part and the same part in aftermarket. The aftermarket part is sometimes required to not have any markings like the genuine part. "Genuine", "brown box", or "white box" parts can all be the same part made by the same manufacturer, but must appear differently depending on the distribution channel.

Someone else more knowledgeable can chime in to correct me.

Now, whether the above part is a genuine part, but sold in the aftermarket, I don't know. I'm just explaining some of the potential reasons for the removed markings.

[Hugh@EuropaParts]

Part numbers and/or logos are removed by the manufacturer of the product so that they can sell it themselves. Audi/VW do not manufacture parts... they simply put them together. This allows the manufacturer to sell to audi/vw and the open market as well.

Audi & VW Parts Aftermarket Explained

[alimo20]

thanks for posting this. i have been having such a hard time posting pics for some reason. the second link works. you gotta wait a few seconds for the redirect

[alimo20]

Part numbers and/or logos are removed by the manufacturer of the product so that they can sell it themselves. Audi/VW do not manufacture parts... they simply put them together. This allows the manufacturer to sell to audi/vw and the open market as well.

Audi & VW Parts Aftermarket Explained

oooh... thanks. so Bosch removed the parts numbers, but left the VDO logo and part number on? so maybe this was an audi branded part that was removed, per your link

[customa4]

thanks for posting this. i have been having such a hard time posting pics for some reason. the second link works. you gotta wait a few seconds for the redirect

Just right click on the picture and choose "copy image address". Then come to Audizine and click the portrait icon above the text box, right on the left side of the video icon. Paste the image address in that box and hit ok.

[87supraman]

Same thing happened to me with a belt tensioner. Audi rings were ground off, but they didn't go deep enough and I could still see them. Gates "brand" bought from Amazon.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

[old guy]

Yep. I purchased a thermostat and numerous different check valves where you could see the remnants of the Audi/VW logos ground off.

[Fast4esT]

I've seen oem parts that have the Audi logo filed off of them become the companies that make parts for Audi cannot legally sell those parts with Audi logo, but they use the same molds and it's the same part, just grind off logos, never seen the part number ground off before though

[Pelican Parts]

As all stated, if it's not a genuine Audi part it cannot have the identifying genuine numbers/logos on it. Same goes for Porsche, BMW, etc. A lot of Porsche parts will have the P triangle and part number taken off.

[alimo20]

alright guys i just need one final input on this to put this case to rest...

the old pump was supposedly replaced in 2011 by a local, disreputable indy shop...the pic below is the sticker from the fuel pump i removed from the car a few weeks back . are the first 2 digits the manufacture date (08/02) or something totally different? my car is 2002 with the last 6 digits of 290000.

could this still be the original pump? aka.. did the shop never remove the pump but charged me anyway?

i am still a little salty that this pump failed in 40k miles/5years.. and i hated that shop.

[B6A4Dave]

I ordered a Hella (brand) oil level sensor from eBay that was direct from Hella.. It was the EXACT same piece as the OEM one I replaced however the VW/Audi part number had been routed off of it.

[diagnosticator]

alright guys i just need one final input on this to put this case to rest...

the old pump was supposedly replaced in 2011 by a local, disreputable indy shop...the pic below is the sticker from the fuel pump i removed from the car a few weeks back . are the first 2 digits the manufacture date (08/02) or something totally different? my car is 2002 with the last 6 digits of 290000.

could this still be the original pump? aka.. did the shop never remove the pump but charged me anyway?

i am still a little salty that this pump failed in 40k miles/5years.. and i hated that shop.

European number order reveals the pump manufacture date is 02, FEB '08, 2008. February, 2008

[alimo20]

Good point. So pretty sure that is the manufacture date?
Feb 08... my service was done in Feb 11. So best case scenario the pump was 3 years old when it was put in. A while to sit on the shelf.
Now I'll have to call AoA to see when/if a fuel pump replacement was done under recall.

[walky_talky20]

Was the filter changed at the same time? Generally it's not a big deal, if the pump breaks, just change it. But on the B6, it seems the filters are common to have trouble and can stress the pump. Always advisable to renew the filter along with the pump to maximize it's life.

[y0itzflip]

ahh no wonder. i bought some "oem" sensors a while back and the part numbers were scratched off. i was wondering.

[walky_talky20]

People can be wary of the parts that have ground off logos and numbers. In actuality, the presence of grind marks means you got "the good stuff".

[alimo20]

The filter was supposedly changed at the same time as well. but i don't trust those guys at all. Is it logical to have a pump manufacture date of Feb 2008 and then have it be installed by a shop on Feb 2011? I don't know what the 'shelf-to-install' time usually is for these things but 3 years seems a bit off.

i have to call AoA to see if the pump recall was done on this car. if it comes back as being done after the Feb 2008 date then its really suspicious. that being said i don't think i could ever definitely prove that the shop did not install a part they claim they did

[deyrag]

That's why you should always ask to either see or have returned to you the parts that were replaced.