Auxiliary belt tensioners are notorious for being ignored and Schaeffler advises garages to remind customers that the FEAD tensioners and pulleys maintain the belt tension driving all of the safety critical components.
In most vehicle applications you have to remove the FEAD belt and tensioner to replace the timing belt, so renewing it will incur a minimum cost to the vehicle owner.
Failure of any component on the FEAD system could also lead to complete and sometimes catastrophic engine failure if the FEAD belt wraps around the crank pulley and enters the timing system.
New releases include FEAD v belt deflection pulleys for vehicles that include the Mini One, Clubman, Countryman, Paceman and Roadster 1.6 D, 2007-, and Toyota Verso 1.6 D4-D, 11/2013, the PSA Berlingo, C3, C3 Picasso, C4, C4 Cactus, C5, DS3, DS4, DS5, 208, 308, 508, 2008, 3008, 5008 and Partner 1.6HDi, 11/2009-.
In addition there are v belt tensioners for models that include the Kia Sportage, Sedona, Sorento II 2.0CRDi, 2.2 CRDi, 01/2009-, ix35 and Grand Santa Fe 2.0CRDi and 2.2CRDi, 01/2009-, and for the Mercedes A Class A160, A170, A180, B Class B150, B160, B170 and B180 1.5 and 1.7, 09/2004-06/2012, and the Mercedes CLS, E-Class, S Class, SL Class, SLR Class and G Class 5.4, 1999-, and one for the iconic Lotus Elise and Exige 1.8, 2002-.
These products are supported by new OAPs for vehicles that include the BMW 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 Series, and X1, 3, and 4 1.6 and 2.0, 2010-, and Ford B-Max, C-Max, Ecosport, Fiesta VI, Focus III, Grand C-Max, Tourneo Connect and Transit Connect 1.0 EcoBoost, 2012-.
Malcolm Short, Schaeffler Automotive Aftermarket (UK) Ltd Technical Services Manager, said: “Every fourth car driving on the world’s roads is fitted with an OAP, which is an integral part of the Front End Auxiliary Drive (FEAD), designed to absorb vibrations and fluctuations in the belt system.
“With two million FEAD belt replacements per year the profit opportunity in replacing FEAD tensioners, idler pulleys and OAPs is there for all to see – and as the largest OE supplier of FEAD components with more than 800 references, we continue to offer the best and most up-to-date OE content range in the aftermarket.”
Click ‘More Details’ below for further information about the INA tensioner range.
