March 2016
Newsletter Changes to newsletter and new to range Starting this month, we will providing you with an excel document for all new to range products now in stock for the previous month. To make things simpler for you, we have compressed the application data to provide you with essential information without the headache of sifting through the huge amount of data associated with each part. You will also be able to click on our part numbers in the spreadsheet which will take you straight to the catalogue page where you can find more information or add the item to your basket. Contained in this spreadsheet, you will also find a full list of any part number supersessions carried out for the previous month and our top 50 selling new steering and suspension numbers. This months range saw 119 new to range additions!
BTCC 2016 Season Launch With the impending launch date of 22nd March, we wish the best of luck to the FAI sponsored WIX Racing team and driver Adam Morgan on another successful season. With a change up in the engineering team working on Adam’s Mercedes A-Class, it is set to be an exciting year of racing. To keep up to date with BTCC news and Adams performance, please check out the new dedicated news page at faiauto.com due to go live mid March. Follow us on
to be kept in the loop.
Changes to Anti Roll Bar Bushes Effective 7th March, FAI will be changing the way we sell anti roll bar bushes. After listening to customer feedback on this matter we will no longer be selling the bushes as single items but instead packed in pairs. To minimise any disruptions, we will be using the existing part number and adding a K suffix to denote that it is now a kit. Our catalogue, MAM and TecDoc will all be updated and the existing part number will auto forward your enquiry to the new number. Please ask our customer service team if you have any questions or CLICK HERE.
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March 2016
Newsletter Check out our
Range
Don’t forget to check out our new extra tough XT range of control arms designed to take the brunt of deteriorating road conditions and difficult terrain. Our initial range covers popular Mercedes models and will be extended shortly. Please visit the dedicated XT range page on our new website once it launches or contact our customer service team for more information. These are in stock and available for purchase now!
Stay connected with FAI As part of the improvements to our digital services, we will now be providing regular updates and news via Twitter, Google+, Facebook and our own website. Please take a moment to connect with us to keep up to date with range extensions, new to range items, product announcements and technical information. In addition to the distribution of news and product updates, we will also be providing you with informative YouTube tutorials, product walk throughs and more.
VOTM - Fiat 500 The vehicle of the month for March is the Fiat 500 - 2007 onwards model. We have over 90 parts in range for this popular city car including steering & suspension, water pumps, timing chain kits, gaskets, belting and more. Click here for the VOTM leaflet.
A helping hand... Common Timing Chain Kit faults and their diagnosis Q: What causes a Seized Tensioner
?
A:
This can only be caused by lack of oil or engine overheating.
Q: What is best practise ? A:
Always fit a full timing chain kit with gears/sprockets to return the timing system back to the original tolerances. Make sure that the engine lubrication system is clean and working at full capacity. An engine flush is recommended prior to removing the faulty/worn timing chain kit.
Q: When does a Timing Chain need replacing ? A:
A timing chain will need replacing when the engine emits louder than normal noise, or the engine management light indicates a camshaft or crankshaft position error.
Q: Should I replace worn gears/sprockets
?
A: It is not good practice to fit a new chain to worn gears/sprockets. The worn teeth will cause the chain to operate outside of the specified tolerances, causing extra loading on the chain leading to premature wear and reduced service lifespan.
Q: What causes a Broken chain ? A:
Chains will only break if they have been subjected to excessive or erratic loading. This can be caused by a lack of tension, which is generated by a lack of hydraulic pressure within the timing chain tensioner due to: 1. a lack of oil. 2. blockage within the oil feed gallery 3. contamination within the oil 4. the wrong specification oil being used in the engine. 5. defective oil pump or pick up pipe.
Q: Should I replace the Variable Valve Timing (VVT) hub ? A:
Q: What is Oil Contamination
?
A: Modern engines have oil changes/inspections at 20,000miles (32,000km). This extended period means that contaminants suspended in the oil can build up reducing the oils performance, blocking oil galleries and feed holes. Generally reducing the lubrication system efficiency. It is vital that this system is working efficiently to maintain performance and long service life of the mechanical and hydraulic components of the timing chain kit. Q: What is misalignment ? A: If any of the gears/sprockets are not in line with the other
components the timing chain will be deflected from its correct path/route. The consequence being that the chain will be subjected to flextion forces that will compromise the chain construction reducing its service life and causing eventual failure.
VVT hubs rely on oil feed to operate correctly and to keep lubricated. A failed or failing VVT hub indicates that the oil feed to the VVT hub is compromised due to: 1. a blockage 2. lack of oil in the engine 3. faulty oil feed sensor / regulator 4. the wrong oil has been used within the engine The VVT hub has a direct affect on the loading placed onto the timing chain, if your timing chain has failed then the VVT hub must be replaced. Not replacing the VVT hub will significantly reduce the service life of your replacement timing chain kit.
Q: How can I tell if the timing cover is not fitted correctly ? A:
If a cover is not fitted correctly, the following symptoms will appear. Oil leaks, excessive noise (chain touching the cover) or if the timing cover includes the oil pump you can get a noise that sounds like a bee in a jam jar. Remove the cover, inspect all mating surfaces and dowels for damage. Replace with new if needed.
Q: How important is the Oil grade/quality Q: Why do timing chains become noisy ? A: Chains become noisy when the force (tension) applied to them is less than the force induced by the engine rotation. This lack of tension allows the chain to oscillate and flex eventually causing metal fatigue and eventual failure.
?
A:
Oil is the life blood of any engine and it is vital that your engine is fitted with the correct specification. Not to do so will compromise ALL the hydraulic components including the timing chain tensioner(s). Which will ultimately lead to engine failure.
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In addition to our popular and informative steering and suspension fault diagnosis poster, our product specialists have now constructed a new fault diagnosis poster especially for timing chain kits. If you are interested in some copies for you or your customers, please speak to your area sales representative to order.
01/02/2016 12:57:43
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March 2016
Newsletter Brand new website imminent. As per our announcement in the February Newsletter, FAI’s brand new website will be going live in March. We are currently in process of testing the updated features and pages to ensure that everything is working to a high standard therefore plan to launch mid March. There will be some exciting new features to make your life easier so please follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google+ to stay up to date.
Steering and Suspension top 50 This months top 50 new steering and suspension part numbers that we recommend you have in stock can be found on the attached spreadsheet. Please take advantage of this information when deciding which new part numbers to add to your profile. You will find that a large number of our most popular items are from our range extension of anti roll bar bushes, suspension bushes and strut mounts.
New Audi TT TCK’s New to Range We now have the opportunity to offer a unique product to the market covering VAG engine codes CESA and CETA. We will have three versions available for the required engine date range: TCK260 (Up to 2011) TCK260-11 (2011 to 2013) TCK260-13 (2013 onwards)
The following items are notable new to range items, please find out more in the attached new to range list and follow the link to our web catalogue for more application information. C310 - Mitsubishi L200 2.5 DiD 11/05 -> C311 - Mitsubishi L200 2.5 DiD 11/05 -> C361 - Vauxhall / Opel 1.7 CDTI 11/06-> C362 - Vauxhall / Opel 1.7 CDTI 11/06->
TCK260 is available for purchase now and the TCK260-11 and TCK260-13 will be shortly.
C369 - Citroen / Peugeot - 1.6HDi 01/07->
Your feedback
SS8055 - VW Tiguan 5N 2010-> SS8056 - VW Tiguan 5N 2010->
We would love to hear your feedback on the new new-to-range / Supersessions / Top 50 Steering spreadsheet that is attached to this newsletter. Please contact tim.lovell@fai.co.uk to provide any suggestions or improvements you think could be made to our service.
SS5888 - Nissan Almera Tino V10 2000-> SS5889 - Nissan Almera Tino V10 2000-> SS8116 - Land rover range rover sport LW 2013-> SS8118 - Land rover range rover sport LW 2013-> SS8119 - Land rover range rover sport LW 2013->
Best Availability. Best Value. Best Quality. Best Service. LEAF9204
+44 (0) 8708 391800
faiauto.com