When shopping for a replacement timing belt kit you might need to choose between these main brands – INA, Gates, Contitech (also referred to as Continental/Conti) and Dayco. How do you choose a timing belt?
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All of these manufacturers supply vehicle manufacturers with timing belts and components for installation at the factory. If you purchase an OEM belt from a dealer you may actually see the OEM logo printed right along side the manufacturer logo.
Pictured: VW AG / Contitech
In the photo above you can see the OEM VW logo printed right next to the Contitech logo. This belt was purchased at a VW dealership. These markings mean that Contitech manufactured this belt for VW to sell via their dealership network.
As we mentioned above, all three of these manufacturers supply factory belts, so all of them will be “genuine” or “factory” quality belts, designed to survive the factory service interval.
Continental is a global brand made up of a wide variety of largely rubber-focused industries. You’ve probably see Continental tires at your local tire shop, they even make tires for bikes! Contitech is the division and trade name for all sorts of belt manufacturing – timing, serpentine, v-belts etc. So, if you see that a Continental belt is advertised you can be sure it is a Contitech branded belt – and that Contitech belts are made by Continental!
INA is known for their top of the line rollers, tensioners, and bearings. They are our top choice for timing belt components! But INA is not a belt manufacturer so who makes their belts? INA sources their belts, similar to VW, from tier-1 suppliers like Contitech and Gates. You can trust you are getting a high quality and trusted belt from INA.
Dayco timing belts stand out for their white-colored interior, which is made up of a special proprietary kevlar weave. Dayco belts also use a patented tooth profile – if you look at the tooth you can see that the middle of the tooth is indented, making a sort of “W” shape.
Dayco Belt Close Up
Dayco claims that these unique qualities make their belts more durable than their competitors. In our experience, however, belts by INA,Gates and Continental are just as reliable through the full service interval. (we don’t test belts beyond the service interval, for obvious reasons, and neither should you!)
The unique Dayco design does come with a drawback, however – flexibility. Brand new Dayco belts are much less flexible, and therefore much harder to work with, than belts from INA, Gates, or Continental. Depending on the application, this may make installing a Dayco belt much more difficult. For example, on the ALH engine (VW TDI) the belt installs very tight, meaning the stiffness of the Dayco belt may prevent a novice from being able to install the belt at all!
All of the brands we offer are a great option and rated properly for your vehicle’s service interval. Our go to choice at IDParts for our own vehicles is INA. We find they use the highest quality components while still maintaining a low price.
When buying a timing belt kit there are some questions: Should I replace the water pump at the same time as the timing belt?
The water pump is directly adjacent to the timing belt in most engines. Because getting to the timing belt is such a labor-intensive job, it’s a good idea to take this opportunity to replace the water pump at the same time because of the effort required to get down to either one of these items. Besides, both of these items tend to have a similar lifetime. For this reason, doing this labor-intensive job at the same time is the smart play.
But… What happens If I don’t replace the water pump?
Not replacing all the components during a timing belt change means if the water pump does go at a later point, you will have to pay for the same labour twice because probably the water pump has worn out because of use anyway, and will need replacing sooner than later.
That’s why at Industrias Dolz we always recommend to get both, the timing belt and the water pump, replaced at the same time.
The advantage of this dual replacement is to offer the best long-lasting repair while preventing risks of engine breakage. And last, but not least, more savings for your pocket.
Let’s see below this three things to consider when choosing a timing belt and water pump replacement:
First and foremost, do your research. There are some key features that increase the likelihood of your new timing belt kit becoming a successful choice.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Automotive Timing Belts.
Don’t hesitate, choose an all-inclusive kit. It’s better to know that your timing belt kit contains all components you need for its renewal. Not just the timing belt itself.
Another factor to consider before ordering is the part number. Make sure the kit is the correct one and it fits with your vehicle.
A new timing belt kit gives you peace of mind that your vehicle will run optimally for a long time. For that, there are some aspects you should closely look at to make sure you have an excellent result. With the proper parts, your engine will last for many years.
Below are some of the most important points you should consider before choosing a timing belt kit.
Experience and capabilities are two important aspects to consider when choosing the right manufacturer of your timing belt kit.
It’s important also that they have the expertise for your specific product. And also other additional supports as technical specifications of the product to identify exactly how the item(s) should turn out, comfort guarantee and quality.
So, as you can see, a manufacturer with years of history can offer you backed by a wide knowledge and many years of experience.
The quality of the raw materials used in manufacturing distribution kits will be vital for its lifetime, providing extended durability and proper performance. The manufacturer must ensure the materials are acceptable for use because if the products are manufactured with low-quality, they will not stand up and you won’t get the expected result.
Dolz are committed to quality! Let’s see below:
In terms of quality, OE parts are beneficial to the performance of a vehicle.
Premium OE quality components are engineered and manufactured to the highest standards to perform according to OE vehicle manufacturer intended.
Non-genuine components do not have the same performance guarantees and as a result, due to a low quality the replacement of the elements will take place multiple times over the lifespan of OE quality parts.
For this reason, at Industrias Dolz we make several inspections at various stages during the OE quality manufacturing process to ensure that our products always meet specifications.
Download our Timing belt kits catalog!
DOLZ’s range of timing belt kits is now available with and without water pumps. Each Dolz kit includes all the components required for the replacement: water pump and gasket when necessary, OE supplier timing belt, idlers and tensioners matching OE standards, and all components required for the mounting (screws, bolts, and mounting tips when needed).
Knowledge and experience at your service. With more than 200 distribution kits representing top sales in Europe and a wide range offering 90% coverage of the European fleet.
Features:
With Dolz Kits, you will find two options available: All-include kits with water pump (KD) and the option without water pump (SKD). Both options are manufactured to the same specifications as OE and are guaranteed for 2 years from date of purchase or 50.000 km
Did you miss the DOLZ Kits Unboxing on our Youtube’s Official Channel? Have a look!
Dolz kits include all what you deserve.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Audi Timing Belt Replacement.