Host Gates Technical Workshop

Belt technology and drive system diagnostic issues in general were on the agenda at a recent Gates Technical Workshop hosted by Middlepeak Motor Factors of Wirksworth.

The Derbyshire-based motor factor had invited a cross section of customers to meet members from the Gates Technical Training and Support Team in order to debate some known installation issues relating to specific vehicles.

Twenty-seven mechanics from 15 garages chose to attend an evening session in their own time, in order to learn more about the latest drive system innovations.

They heard Andrew Vaux outline the thinking behind the emergence of the Ford Eco Boost engine and the development of hot oil belts. He also spoke about the basic diagnostic issues that emerge in workshops on a daily basis and explained why the move towards drive system overhauls has become such an important part of engine maintenance: “The key thing to remember is that drive system integrity, whether it’s a timing belt drive or a front end auxiliary drive is dependent upon the performance of each individual component within the drive,” he said.“That’s why there was a move away from replacing just the belt and individual parts to installing kits. It’s also why kits have expanded to include other components like the water pump.”

He explained that fitting a new component alongside others that have already been through a full duty cycle changes the dynamics and the balance within the system as a whole. “It increases the stresses and strains on components which, to all intents and purposes, have already completed the job they were designed to do.”

Middlepeak Motor Factors has been in business for over 15 years but this was the first time it had hosted a Gates Technical Workshop. Managing director Dan Ballington, said he would not be shy about hosting another one: “We sell Gates kits and most of them are the water pump kits [Gates Power Grip Kit Plus Water Pump] so although our customers were aware of some of the issues, we have had some good feedback. Several customers said they learned some new things, like the submerged belt in the Ford Mondeo, for example. They enjoyed the experience and it was a very successful evening altogether. Next time we can offer the opportunity to a few more of our customers.”