Aftermarket July/August 2022 Issue

JULY/AUGUST 2022 AFTERMARKET 39 www.aftermarketonline.net %$" $ !"#$%& GDI Injector %#% $ # $% Cleaner % $ $ % " $ % # " $ $ # # Email: info@kalimex.co Call: For more information: % .uk standard to make sure it’s safe to use on even the newest vehicles.” For more information, visit: www.kseal.com Significant improvements On the component front, Schaeffler has expanded its thermal management modules (TMM) range under the INA brand via a pair of new releases. Maik Evers, Head of Product Management at Schaeffler Automotive Aftermarket commented: “Schaeffler has exclusively offered Volkswagen Audi Group TMMs to the independent aftermarket for some time. The range has now been extended to include two new part numbers for BMW and MINI engines. These two references cover a car parc of over two million vehicles, which is set to double during the next three years.” Part number 538 0810 10 is for 3-cylinder and 4-cylinder engines, while part number 538 0811 10 is for 6-cylinder engines. He continued: “Generation 2 TMM technology is still based on rotary slide valves that control the coolant flow depending on the driving situation, but the latest actuator design achieves significant improvements in functionality by using the two rotary slide valves independently. One valve is responsible for controlling the flow of coolant to and from the radiator, while the other separates the engine cooling circuits in the cylinder head and block. This makes it possible to create what Schaeffler calls a split cooling concept. This successfully copes with the increased demands from Stop/Start or hybrid operation, ensuring efficient and accurate temperature control in the cylinder head and block through more targeted cooling. "Thermal management systems play a central role in improving energy efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions. The precision-tuned, intelligent control of increasingly complex cooling and heating circuits ensures that all relevant systems operate within the optimum temperature range at all times. This helps protect the environment whilst also increasing the service life of the components.” He added: “In line with global car parc development, we are constantly developing our thermal management product range, and we are proud to be the first supplier in the aftermarket to offer the latest Generation 2 TMM repair solutions for hybrid vehicles." Strict regulation Looking at the air-con side of cooling, Colin Cottrell, Marketing Director at LKQ Euro Car Parts said: “The handling of air con refrigerants is subject to strict regulation, and it’s important to keep up to date. In particular, garages must make sure that they are F-gas certified, and prove they are qualified to handle the refrigerant R134a, or ‘old gas’. R134A is not present in any vehicle manufactured from 2017 onwards, at which point it was replaced by the more environmentally-friendly R1234yf, or ‘new gas’. Both gases were used in the period 2013-2017, and before that, R134a was the only air con refrigerant in the market. It is the product that most aftermarket technicians will be familiar working with.” Colin continued: “At LKQ Euro Car Parts, we will only sell ‘old gas’ to those customers that submit their F-gas qualification details via an online form. It is requirement for the sale of R134a to be permitted on their accounts. Anyone who is not yet qualified can complete their training via the LKQ Academy.” On the importance of making wider checks if there is an air-con issue, Colin commented: “It’s very easy to assume that the air con unit itself is faulty if it has become unresponsive, but the vehicle might be telling you that it’s actually the battery needing attention. Only after you’ve completed diagnostic checks on the battery should you start the air con diagnostics process. For more information, visit https://omnipart.eurocarparts.com