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04/11/2021

The VVT system and the solenoid valve

We have made an exciting addition to our offer for passenger cars: Gates VVT solenoid valves. In this article, we explain how the theoretical 4-stroke engine operating cycle differs slightly from the real valve opening and closing times; we explain the workings of the VVT system or variable valve timing system; we discuss the most important VVT system failures; and we zoom in on the system’s main components, including the solenoid valve.

30/09/2021

Prevent water pump failure by flushing the cooling system

Proper flushing is one of the most critical elements of cooling system maintenance. Yet it is often the most neglected service in the workshop today. Inadequate flushing can lead to premature failure of newly installed parts, resulting in warranty problems and frustrated customers. Read on to discover how flushing positively affects the performance of the cooling system.

02/08/2021

Belt tensioner replacement: T43173 and T43139 back plate cracking

The Gates timing belt tensioner T43173 is used in a wide range of Volvo models and some Ford models with 2.0, 2.3, 2.4 and 2.5 litre gas engines. Some mechanics have encountered problems either with this tensioner or with the T43139 tensioner, which is very similar in design. More specifically, they have reported cracks in the tensioner back plate. While the problem is often assumed to be a manufacturing defect; closer examination of the cases in question has brought to light a common installation error, which we tackle in this article.

01/08/2021

Cooling system maintenance and the dangers of mixing coolant

Gates is known all over the world as a coolant hose manufacturer and supplies multiple cooling system components. Coolant, the liquid needed in the cooling system, is a chemical product which is not manufactured by Gates, but seeing that our coolant system components could be damaged by the use of incorrect or contaminated coolant, we will list the most important aspects of best practice when it comes to coolant use and cooling system maintenance. We also take an opportunity to explain more about the ingredients that coolant or antifreeze contain and the functions they fulfill.

01/07/2021

The role of the positive crankcase ventilation valve (PCV)

The positive crankcase ventilation valve or PCV is responsible for extracting any harmful blow-by gases (containing unburned hydrocarbon and water vapours) that end up in the crankcase housing, mainly during the compression and power stroke phases of internal combustion engine operation. In this article, we explain why the extraction of these vapours is so important, how the PCV regulates the passage of the gases (often with the help of an oil separator), and which PCV problems to be mindful of when working on internal combustion engine vehicles. In short: checking the PCV system should be a standard part of your diagnostic and maintenance routine.

Electric vehicle with for electric water pumps

01/06/2021

Electric water pumps: main uses in combustion engines, hybrid and electric vehicles

Electric water pumps have been used in vehicles for many years. Yet in the last decade, their relevance has increased significantly. After all, electric water pumps have become key to optimizing thermal management systems. They are indeed becoming indispensable to the proper functioning of cooling systems – not only in internal combustion engines, but also in hybrid and electric vehicles. In this article, we take a look at the main uses of Gates electric water pumps and explore how they have evolved.

22/04/2021

Map-controlled thermostats: operation and problem diagnosis

The need to reduce air pollution is obviously high on everyone’s agenda. New systems are therefore being incorporated in vehicles to make their engines run more efficiently and, thus, lower their emissions. Gates map-controlled thermostats are one way to achieve a more efficient thermal management of the system. In this article, we zoom in on these map-controlled or electrically controlled thermostats, introducing the parts they contain, explaining how they operate and what to do in the case of electrical or mechanical failures.

k01kp15479xs guide pulley failure after replacement

01/04/2021

K01/KP15479XS: guide pulley bearing failure after replacement

This article concerns the 1.4, 1.5 and 1.6-litre gasoline engines that can be found in the Hyundai Accent, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Cerato, Kia Rio and many other Hyundai and Kia models. After all, our technical centre specialists have been getting reports of premature failure of a guide pulley included in Gates kits K015479XS and KP15479XS, which are compatible with the passenger cars mentioned above. A closer investigation of these cases alerted us to the fact that the position of the tension spring (not included in the kits), which should rest with one end on the engine structural element, and with the other end on a special lug of the tensioner base plate, often gets overlooked during or after the installation procedure. Read on to find out how to avoid this common mistake.

26/02/2021

Thermostat replacement: jiggle pin and bleeder valve

Having replaced a thermostat, it is vital to bleed the cooling system to avoid air pockets. Some thermostats feature a bleeder valve for this purpose, which is positioned either directly in the thermostat housing or in the coolant hose going to the heat exchanger or to the expansion tank. In other thermostats, a jiggle pin allows the remaining air to pass into the radiator, where it can be released from the system. In this article, we explain why you should reposition the latter-type thermostats with the jiggle pin at twelve o’clock. In addition, we focus on the importance of using the right diagnostic air bleeding systems or cooling system test and refill tools for today’s modern engines with three different cooling systems.

16/12/2020

Belt-driven stop&start engines: sidewinder tensioner and other innovations

We have come a long way since the days when you had to turn your engine off at a red light in order to save fuel. Deactivation and activation have since become automatic, and both the noise of the first ignition and the starting time have been drastically reduced, so you don’t even notice the engine stopping and starting again. In this article, we want to give you a brief history of those innovations that have been key to the start-stop engine as we know it today. We will focus on the Belt-Driven Starter Generator (BSG), the sidewinder tensioner and our specially designed Micro-V^® E-Start^™ belt.

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