Service Maintenance and Repair_June 2021

AROUND THE ENGINE

MEASURE AND FIT THE CORRECT BELT DRIVE How to identify the correct Poly-V belt The best way to identify the correct Poly-V belt is to look at the number of ribs the belt has, along with the length of the belt. The supplier reference for Poly-V belts is made up of: ■ Number of ribs ■ Generic belt section – for automotive it is “PK” ■ External length of the belt in mm. Poly-V belt Part number example: 6PK1750 Part number example: 6PK1750 6 PK 1750 External length (mm)

ARE YOU CHECKING DRIVE BELTS AS PART OF A SERVICE?

Auxiliary drive belts are subject to constant thermal and contaminant exposure which highlights the importance of routine inspection of belt components. This is often overlooked by both vehicle owners and automotive professionals.

Why should you visually inspect a belt drive? A visual inspection of these components during a vehicle service or MOT is often enough to determine whether a drive belt replacement is needed and ensures that a vehicle does not experience a belt failure while in motion. LKQ Euro Car Parts recommends that any service or MOT includes the visual inspection of auxiliary drive belts to ensure that components can be replaced prior to failure. It is also best practice to replace drive belts when replacing components within the same serpentine system. Benefits for your customer Checking the belt drive as part of an MOT or service means that you can give your customers peace of mind whether that means informing them that the components have been checked and are in working order, or to advise the parts will require changing. Either way, it's a win-win. Letting your customer know you've checked the components shows your willingness to go above and beyond, securing their loyalty and future proofing their return business. And if the parts need replacing? Then

Belt section (Automotive)

For example: a belt has four ribs. The reference will therefore start with: 4 + PK. Measure the belt and if the length is 895 mm the supplier reference will be: 4 + PK + 895 = 4PK895 How to identify the correct V belt The best way to identify the correct V belt is to look at the width and at the length of the belt. Depending on the brand, the supplier reference for V belts is made up of: Dayco ■ Top width in mm ■ Generic belt section – for automotive it is “A” ■ External length of the belt in mm ■ Generic belt feature – for the belts with teeth it is “C”. Contitech ■ Generic belt section – for Automotive it is “AV” ■ Top width in mm ■ External length of the belt in mm ■ Use “x” between the generic section, the width and the length. For example: if the belt size is 10mm wide and 1085mm long, the Dayco refrence will be 10 + A + 1085 + C = 10A1085C. The Contitech refrence will be AV x 10 x 1085 = AVX10X1085.

Number of ribs

V belt Part number example: 10A100C

Part number example: 10A100C

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10 Top width (mm)

A 100

C

you've created an extra sale and reassured a customer. Imagine if they had left your workshop then broken down…

Cogged

External length (mm)

Belt Section(Automotive)

THE IMPORTANCE OF CHANGING WATER PUMPS WITH TIMING BELT KITS

Technicians usually change timing belts when they have reached their duty cycle through time, mileage, or arduous conditions. It is best practice to change driveline components at the same time as the belt. The water pump, when driven by the timing belt, is just another bearing in the timing system and it is recommended to replace the water pump when renewing the timing belt components. If the timing belt fails, whether due to simple age, or the failure of a tension pulley or bearing, the water pump will likely fail along with it. Benefits to your customer If you don’t change the water pump with the timing belt the likelihood is the water pump will fail. This will probably incur another trip to the garage for the customer, but not necessarily yours. Retain a customer and fit both together! LKQ Euro Car Parts stock a comprehensive range of INA and Dayco water pump kits to meet the market requirement for a complete timing system repair solution.

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THE DANGER OF NOT SUPPLYING THE CORRECT DRIVE BELT

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It is very important to supply the correct belt, made from the right material. A lot of Volvo applications use belts made of Kevlar. If a normal belt made of Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) is supplied, it wouldn’t be able to cope with the power and the vibrations of the engine causing it to break and therefore meaning a lot of expensive damage. The Kevlar belts can be identified by having the letter “K” at the end. The elastic belts can be identified by having the letters “EE” (for Dayco) or “ELAST” (for Contitech) at the end.

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