WIN with Dayco
Published: 28 February, 2020
Dayco is giving each reader of Aftermarket the chance to win one of five brilliant backpacks. All you have to do is learn a little about thermostats, something Dayco knows a lot about, having recently introduced a range to its portfolio. The role of the thermostat is to effectively control the flow of coolant around the cooling system and allow the engine to reach its optimum working temperature as quickly as possible.
Modern cooling systems play a crucial part in the drive towards reducing fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. The demands for increased efficiency, together with factors such as higher flow rates, turbocharger technology, autonomous heating and air conditioning, have transformed the traditional process of engine cooling into complex cooling systems.
To win yourself a backpack, just answer the following question:
What is the role of a thermostat?
A) To reduce exhaust emissions
B) To cool the engine
C) To control the flow of coolant around the cooling system
Winner will be chosen at random from the correct answers when the competition closes on 20 March, and the winner will be notified by 25 March. The editor’s decision is final. No cash alternative offered.
- Dayco: OE damper pulleys
As well as producing engine products and drive systems, Dayco also manufactures OE torsional vibration dampers for a number of VMs worldwide. The company has now made the range available to the aftermarket.
“Modern powerplants are highly engineered to deliver the optimum combination of power and torque, alongside fuel efficiency and minimal exhaust emissions,” says Dayco’s National Sales Manager Steve Carolan. “This objective often comes at the cost of high levels of engine vibration, which is generally intensified by the significant pressures present in the engine’s combustion chambers, an occurrence especially prevalent with diesel units.
“This vibration is transmitted through the crankshaft and therefore has a significant impact on the engine’s power transmission drive systems.”
To reduce this problem, Dayco engineers have developed a range of damper pulleys, with the prefix DPV.
“Generally installed directly to the crankshaft, observes Steve, “the damper reduces the circular vibrations that cause the primary problem, decreasing wear on many of the engine’s components. Naturally, the front end auxiliary drive (FEAD) system is a principal beneficiary, which increases the durability of the entire powerplant, but they also improve comfort for the vehicle’s occupants.”
Three types
There are three types of damper that, depending on the application, are generally installed: The simple, double and decoupler.
“The simple damper is integrated within the FEAD system,” explains Steve. “Its single rubber element provides sufficient vibration reduction for applications with standard noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) requirements.
“The double damper encompasses two rubber elements within its metal parts, which are designed to absorb vibration at different frequencies, and is for use in applications that generate high power and increased vibration, such as modern diesel engines.
“Although the decoupler damper still incorporates a rubber ring, the damping function is carried out through metal springs, as opposed to solely relying on its rubber element. It is used on the latest generation engines with greater power and enables the FEAD system to cope with high mileage and adverse conditions, particularly for applications that feature belt start generator (BSG) function for their Stop/Start systems.”
Damper Replacement
Commenting on replacement, Steve says: “Dampers should be checked for signs of wear, such as abnormal noises, unpleasant vibrations or even steering oscillations, at every 40,000 mile interval or when replacing the auxiliary belt. However, as a matter of course and irrespective of the signs, Dayco suggests they are changed every time the timing belt is renewed.”
“In order to check the damper correctly, it needs to be removed from the engine because the back, as well as the front needs to be examined to fully assess its condition. In addition, whether it needs to be replaced or not, if its fixing bolts are designed to stretch on initial fitment, these must be changed, as they will no longer meet their design tolerances if reused.”
Steve adds: “Dayco DPVs are produced in the same facilities, to identical standards, whether the damper is destined for OE or aftermarket. Each damper in the range that also requires its bolts to be replaced, comes complete with the correct specification bolts.”
For more information visit: www.dayco.com
- VXPRO Lambda consolidation
ELTA Automotive has rationalised the range of Lambda sensors it offers in its VXPRO range. The range is smaller, but the level of coverage has been maintained. This was achieved by concentrating on the length of the cables, which is what resulted in the need for so many part numbers previously. By retaining the matching OE sensor/connector combination and ensuring the cable is always equal to or slightly longer than the OE part, but never with more than 300mm excess length, the ELTA team has consolidated the VXPRO range to maintain the same vehicle coverage, from a fifth of the part numbers.
www.elta.co.uk
- Wheel cylinders enter National programme
National Auto Parts has launched a new range of wheel cylinders for the aftermarket. Launching with an initial range of 100 part numbers covering the most popular vehicles in the UK, the range will see further range extensions through 2020.Vehicle makes covered by the new range include: Audi, Citroen, Fiat, Ford, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Peugeot, Renault, Seat and Volkswagen. Supplied in the yellow National packaging, wheel cylinders come complete with brake pressure regulating valves, included where necessary as per OE design. The new range of wheel cylinders are made from cast aluminium, extruded aluminium or cast iron aluminium depending on OE specifications. Using EPDM rubber, used for piston seals, wheel cylinders comply with SAE J101:2006 international standards.
www.national-auto.co.uk
- First Line: Oil sumps
First Line offers a range of more than 20 oil sumps that cater for the most popular applications. The range is manufactured using aluminium or steel depending on the OE fitment, with all steel sumps having a powder coating to ensure longevity and extra resistance against corrosion. All sumps include a pre-fitted plug and are gasket free. Alongside this is a range of 11 sump plugs, which are available to buy separately, including the plastic sump plug for VAG Golf, A3 and A4. These plugs are usually supplied in five-packs.
www.firstline.co.uk
- New NGK ignition leads
NGK has introduced a new range of ignition lead sets in the UK. The range has more than 40 part numbers including copper core, carbon and inductive resistor types. According to NGK, the range offers high resistance to heat and vibration, as well as excellent electrical conductivity and performance under extreme conditions. The launch followed the 2019 introduction of a new range of NTK camshaft and crankshaft sensors, which themselves followed the introduction of 20 new wide band Lambda sensors – commonly referred to as ‘5-wire’ Lambda sensors.
www.ngkntk.com
