Keeping up-to-date with what is happening on a day-to-day basis in workshops is a key priority of the Schaeffler Technical team and on a recent visit to Ireland, Technical Services Manager, Alistair Mason, made a point of keeping time aside in his schedule to call to some independent garages in the North East to talk to owners and technicians. Autobiz caught up with Alistair on visits Riverside Garage and Eagle Garage, both in Drogheda. 

Alistair has a great wealth of knowledge and experience spanning the Luk, INA and FAG brands and as Technical Services Manager he can provide a unique insight into new technology coming into the aftermarket and the unique solutions that the Schaeffler brands can offer as a leading original equipment supplier. The garages that Alistair visited were certainly keen to ask questions and benefit from his expertise. 

On visits Alistair is also keen to get feedback from garages about their business, the type of work patterns they are currently seeing, some of the challenges they are facing and what more that Schaeffler can do to in the way of practical support.  

One major issue that was discussed on the visits was the set-up of the latest timing belt systems. Alistair explained how one of the latest developments is the introduction of “Smart sprockets” on the timing systems in order to reduce the engine pulses. 

A further area where Alistair was able to provide practical advice was on adjustments to the timing belt tensioner on some Volkswagen and Audi 1.6/2.0 TDi EA288 engines, from 2012 on. Setting of the tensioner correctly is essential to avoid serious engine issues and this requires a few particular steps that may not be obvious to a mechanic. 

During the replacement process the camshaft and high pressure fuel pump pulleys need to be slackened and adjusted to ensure all there spans work correctly. Visually, neither the camshaft or high pressure fuel injection pump sprockets appear to have slotted adjustment holes. However, the camshaft has a small Torx bolt in a small slotted hole and the fuel pump sprocket is a two-piece unit, with the sprocket part rotating back and forth on the inner hub.

Alistair was able to explain to the teams at each garages about the procedure required and also point them towards a specific ReXpert video that provides a practical demonstrations of the replacement process. 

This is a good example of how the ReXpert website and App is able to provide garages with practical tools that make repair and replacement procedures, quicker, easier and safer. The resources is free to access, following a simple registration and can provide, technical tips, detailed fitting information, videos and a full product catalogue. 

For more information visit www.repxpert.ie