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Overrunning alternator pulleys summary picture

22/04/2022

Overrunning alternator pulleys: function and operation

Overrunning clutches are crucial to increase the life of the accessory drive components. Before they were added to the design of the alternator pulley, alternators had a much lower output, a 60 Amp output was already a lot. Nowadays, with more electronics in the car, 60 Amp is less than a minimum alternator capacity. This evolution needed the new pulley to protect the belt from premature slip wear. In this article, we focus on overrunning alternator pulleys and overrunning alternator decouplers, explaining what these components are for, and how they work.

18/03/2022

Evolution of the ABDS system: Micro-V® belts and tensioners

The Auxiliary Belt Drive System (ABDS) has significantly evolved over the past decades, but especially in the last couple of years it has undergone particularly marked changes. Gates currently offers Micro-V^® Unique Fit, Stretch Fit and Stop&Start belts, as well as the Micro-V^® all-rounder belt. Despite their outward similarities, the designs of our Micro-V^® belts are individually tailored to make sure they can provide the optimum solution for each specific application. To stress how important it is always to use the correct belt and components, we have devoted an article to the evolution of Micro-V^® belts and tensioners. Other ABDS components will be covered in subsequent articles.

28/01/2022

FleetRunner heavy-duty water pumps: technical guidance

The Gates FleetRunner range covers heavy-duty components such coolant hoses, belts, tensioners, idlers and, as of October 2021, belt-driven, OE quality water pumps. In this article, we zoom in on the two types of water pump that will be included in our specialist range of aftermarket products for trucks and buses, and give a sneak preview of the webinars on cooling system diagnostics and maintenance that we will launch in September.

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.

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