Power transmission system manufacturer, Dayco, is committed to supplying the independent repair sector with replacement parts of the same quality as the OE parts it supplies to vehicle manufacturers. When it comes to timing belt kits it also offers workshops another major advantage, with everything required in one box.

This means in addition to the normal belts, tensioners and idlers, these kits also contain all the other components that the vehicle manufacturer specifies need to be replaced during the vehicle’s scheduled change interval. This not only helps the technicians undertaking the work, it also provides peace-of-mind for workshops because a full system overhaul has been able to be carried out.

Among these additional items are crankshaft pulley bolts, which when specified for replacement is usually because they are stretch bolts and therefore, for safety reasons, must not be reused. To provide the greatest level of transparency, Dayco distinguishes these kits with the letter ‘K’ at the end of the part number.

Dayco’s National Sales Manager, Steve Carolan explains, “In order for them to complete a full and thorough repair, it is vital that technicians replace all the components and ancillary items such as nuts, bolts, studs and circlips that the manufacturer has stipulated must be changed at the designated service interval. Although without access to the manufacturer’s service and repair information, it is sometimes difficult for technicians to find the precise details of which additional items this requirement applies to, we have made things considerably easier for them by including all the items that need to be replaced in the kit. So, the message is: ‘If it’s in the box, it must be changed’.

Steve gives the example of the Ford Focus 1.6-litre petrol from 2011 to 2015 where Ford specifies that the crankshaft bolt is changed during a scheduled timing belt replacement and is thus included, (Dayco kit KTB764K).  However, with the Opel Insignia 2.0-litre diesel from 2009 to 2017 (KTB847) this is not required. Similarly with the combined timing belt and water pump kit for the 1.6 diesel in the Citroën C4 Picasso from 2006 to 2013 crankshaft bolts are required and included (KTBWP9140K), whereas the 1.9 diesel in the VW Golf from 2003 to 2009 (KTBWP2964) does not require bolts.

Steve adds, “Dayco is the OE timing belt supplier for each of these examples, and three of the four engines utilise our unique High Tenacity (HT) or ‘white’ belt. Therefore to provide their customers with a genuine like-for-like replacement, workshops need to ensure their technicians fit a Dayco kit, because only Dayco manufactures the HT belt.”