News

Garage franchise iAutoUK has signed up to the British Franchise Association, an accrediting body dedicated to ensuring good franchise standards in the UK. In order to become an approved member iAutoUK had to demonstrate the robustness of its business model.

Dayco says it has concluded a new supply deal with Andrew Page.

The agreement means that Dayco will be supplying the Page network with its entire automotive product offering, increase the number of workshops that have access to its product ranges.

Dayco says there is a misconception in the market that the company simply makes belts, but it is keen to stress that its manufacturing facilities are also busy making tensioners, dampers and pulleys.

Dayco Aftermarket UK’s Steve Carolan said: “The supply contract we have concluded with Andrew Page has brought together two businesses that are driven by quality to form a partnership that is able to deliver a complete package to the workshop and thereon to the consumer.

Viper Performance has moved to a larger premises in Telford, Shropshire.

The new location includes a showroom as well as more warehousing space to make sure that more parts are kept in stock. An improved customer parking area and better access make the move even more of an advantage.

The showroom will house a selection of Viper products including silicone hoses, aluminium pipes and elbows and aeromotive fuel products.

We hope you found the inaugural Inside Line on the Ford Focus as useful as we did. We’ve been swamped with technical information from every corner of the market, all of which you can see here, but more is always welcome. This month we turn our attention to the popular Audi A4.

Both factors and workshops can benefit from the systems that TecDoc and sister company AuDaCon can provide those that need to correctly identify and supply replacement parts and those actually undertaking repair or service work.

The examples below are common faults that occur on various versions of the Audi A4 and which have been sourced using the AuDaCon system in conjunction with its SOS service recall option. Not only does it identify likely faults, it also points the technician in the right direction in those instances where the most obvious solution may in fact be the wrong one.

AUDI A4 (8K2, B8) 1.8 TFSI – Battery Faults

Example 1

From the RMI's Technical Helpdesk:

-Brake fluid change, small content but a regular omitted add on during service at 24000miles (dependant on model).

-Front suspension lower arms, dry squeaking joints, squeaking steering.

-These vehicles are subject to handbrake/rear caliper issues, also check for seized cables due to water ingress.

-Pollen/cabin filter housings crack and let water into the passenger area under the floor mats, when replacing the filter ensure the housing is in one piece. Again a small content repair but often omitted during service.

1. Thinking beyond – corrosion-resistant screw for Audi-multi-link axles

(e.g. included in MEYLE kit 116 050 0165/HD)

Problem:

Steering and suspension assemblies are vital components on the modern motor vehicle. These parts are safety critical and contribute to the effective and economical running of the vehicle.

One of the more common problems that the Audi A4 experiences are the premature failure of the bushes in the multi-link suspension arms. Because the arms are aluminium due to the Audi weight saving programme, it is recommended to replace the complete arm.

Exol Lubricants has launched Optima LSV 5W-30, a new generation fully-synthetic engine oil, which is approved by Volkswagen Audi Group (VAG).

The super multi-grade engine oil is formulated using the latest developments in synthetic technology and this, coupled with the most up to date advancements in additive chemistry, is designed to set new standards in engine oil performance over extended oil drain intervals.

In addition to outstanding performance at high and low temperatures, Optima LSV 5W-30 includes Exol’s low SAPS (sulphated ash, phosphorus, and sulphur) additive technology to ensure effective emission and pollution control, thereby minimising environmental damage.

Developments in vehicle manufacturing led to the use of nano technology in Corteco's Torsional Vibration Dampers for Audi A4 applications, says the supplier.

The tighter emissions regulations governing the design of today's vehicles, means that they are lighter with more powerful, more compact engines. A consequence is that these engines operate at higher temperatures that create a hostile environment for the materials used on components inside the engine compartment.

Current Audi A4 2L engines runs at around 20 deg C higher than previous models. Under such conditions, the use of standard natural rubber compounds on components inside the drive system is inappropriate. It is subject to compromise and premature failure.