Features of belts
Modern Gates products are distinguished by high quality and affordable prices. 100 years ago the first timing belt was produced. Over the course of a century, Gates has mastered the production of belts not only for vehicles, but also fully supplies agricultural machinery with high-quality products. The company operates its own center for scientific research.
Developers and manufacturers have taken into account the conditions in which their products must operate:
- high speed mode;
- wide range of temperature fluctuations;
- exposure to oils.
The procedures for replacing the belt on different engines differ from each other. For technically difficult cases of belt replacement, Gates issues instructions; the presence of such instructions is indicated on the box with the belt.
The instructions themselves can be found on the company’s official website.
The manufacturer approaches the production process with strict demands regarding quality, strength and safety. Gates timing belts have the following characteristics:
- special ingredients are introduced into the raw materials to provide protection against various factors affecting product wear;
- glass fiber is used in a rubber shell;
- silent operation is ensured by tight adhesion of the teeth profile to the gears;
- There are spare parts and tool kits for organizing repair work;
- Product protection against counterfeiting is organized at a high level.
Barcode verification
ATTENTION! The correct barcode does not provide a 100% guarantee of the originality of the product. However, an incorrect barcode is a clear sign of counterfeit.
Just recently we went to a wholesale warehouse, and I noticed that they were selling a lot of different fakes. In particular, there are many fakes of Gates belts. For review, I purchased two “Gates” kits: one for a Lada Priora, the other for an 8-valve nine.
Kits can be sold in new or old packaging. If the packaging is old, this does not necessarily mean that you have encountered a fake. The original can also be sold in old packaging.
Now they have begun to put authentication on the packaging. You can peel off the protective surface, send a code and check the authenticity of the product via SMS. Of course, it also happens that this sticker is missing, but the product is also original.
I recently found out that new packaging is also being counterfeited. In stores there are such boxes without authentication stickers, with a factory sticker with square edges and a wide barcode.
Advantages and disadvantages
Thanks to the high quality of its products, Gates has ensured its steady popularity among buyers and users of timing belts. The list of advantages is huge:
- high wear resistance;
- The products fulfill the entire required warranty period with a reserve, and it is necessary to take into account special extreme operating conditions (aggressive environmental conditions, temperature intervals);
- the precise fit of the teeth and the properties of the material used provide conditions for quiet operation;
- The presence of glass fiber in the materials creates extreme tensile strength.
The biggest disadvantage is the strong desire of many manufacturers to counterfeit products and produce counterfeit products . But a hundred years of experience allows manufacturers to protect their goods from good quality, but still fake. Therefore, consumers receive not only Gates timing kits, but also other products of the required quality. Methods for protecting commercial products have been developed here.
Installation nuances
Replacing the timing belt on most cars requires different timing. If, for example, Renault Logan recommends changing the belt at 60 thousand km, then for many Volkswagens this period is 120 thousand km. Sometimes the manufacturer limits the service life to a time frame, which also makes sense. Therefore, Gates’ recommendations in this regard do not contradict car manufacturers. Even if a Gates reinforced timing belt with a large margin of safety is used, its maximum service life should not be checked.
Three main ways to distinguish an original from a fake
In order to protect the Gates timing belt from counterfeiting, the original was provided with distinctive packaging.
There are three main methods for checking the originality of Gates belts.
- Checking the 14-digit alphanumeric product packaging codes. This package code looks like this: This code must be entered on the official website of the Company.
- The company's products are protected by a QR code (for products manufactured after July 2015). This code allows you to check using the Mobile application on your smartphone. You need to scan the code in the TecIdentify app or Neoreader app.
- The company also uses tesa PrioSpot® labels to protect its products. This protection is verified as follows: This code is unique for each package. Can't be repeated.
- The label shimmers with rainbow colors, the moving digit repeats the last security digit. As you move the viewing angle, the last digit changes up and down.
- Checking with a magnifying glass. You must ensure that the 10-digit code appears under the Gates logo. Its last 4 digits must correspond to the security code, as well as the last four digits of the letter code.
And also characteristic of the original:
- bright red, rich, even color;
- the year of manufacture matches on the packaging and on the belt itself;
- image of the manufacturer’s website address on the black stripe of the packaging;
- technical information about the belt is pasted;
- on the side surface there is a characteristic structure of letters (uneven);
- The packaging box is made of pressed cardboard and has a rough gray surface on the inside;
- the packaging is sealed;
- The label inside the box indicating the installation date and mileage comes off well.
Packaging overview
Packaging is the first thing a car owner sees when purchasing, and from it you can try to understand whether the product is original or not. Since the Chinese are constantly improving the level of copies, there has been a change in the design of the boxes. New ones now have even more degrees of protection against counterfeiting. So give preference to the new type of boxes with a black line and a control sticker. Although there may also be old ones lying around in warehouses.
A coupon from the original packaging indicating the mileage at which the belt was installed
The original packaging always has a black stripe with white text, which indicates the official website of the manufacturer. But counterfeit packaging does not contain such information. The second thing that immediately catches your eye is that on the back of the original packaging, the large size of the logo on the counterfeit is correspondingly smaller, and it is embossed. And also the inscription “PowerGrip”, there are more in the original. The font in the description on the counterfeit is so-called “bold”, but the original is normal.
The side part of the packaging is so different - in the original the logo and the inscription are on the same line, but on the replica they are below each other (that is, the logo is drawn on top, and the trademark inscription is under it.), moreover, there is no address on the black strip manufacturer's website. The catalog number marking on the original Gates timing belt is stamped with dots - the fake is marked with a solid stamp.
All original packaging is always well sealed, including on the “tabs”. In the original box, there is always a small coupon, which is designed to include information about the mileage at which a particular belt was replaced. Usually this coupon is glued in the engine compartment, in the immediate vicinity of the timing belt.
Product Variations
The company provides almost all variety of automobile brands and models with reliable products. To make it easier for customers to select belts, Gates offers the use of detailed catalogs developed by the company. Here it is easy and simple to select the necessary part. If the consumer wishes, you can find a worthy analogue of the product or purchase a set of special tools for performing installation work.
The company offers owners of passenger cars belts that are completely equivalent in quality to the original ones, equipped with rollers, as well as elements for sealing and other components related to the timing belt.
Complete set of timing belts
The drive system largely ensures the safety of the vehicle. The failure of one element of the system may well lead to the failure of other parts. Therefore, timely replacement of belts and all tensioning devices ensures the safety and flawless functioning of the entire propulsion system of the car. PowerGrip® Kit Plus are ideal for solving such problems. You can purchase special PowerGrip® Kit Plus with additional rings that serve to seal and drain oil or a water pump, making it possible to replace all critical timing drive mechanisms. The company produces and supplies original equipment with a high quality guarantee.
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We present a new opportunity to obtain the regulations you need. Gates Installation Instructions provide step-by-step guidance for installing Gates PowerGrip™ timing kits and are available on your smartphone, tablet or computer.
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Analogs
The most popular company whose products are in high demand among customers is Gates. Similar products are supplied to retail chains from manufacturers Contitech and Dayco. A domestic manufacturer in Balakovo supplies car owners with belts at an average price. Bosch and Lemforder also produce similar products at an affordable price. You can learn more about analogues in this article.
High quality products that can be purchased at an affordable price are in demand and popular among drivers. This is consistent with Gates products.
About company
I would like to tell you a little about the Contitech company itself. As you know, Contitech is a division of the huge Continental corporation, which produces many different products for businesses, factories and cars. Even the tape at airports on which suitcases are spinning is often produced by Continental.
With such production volumes, Contitech is one of the largest conveyor suppliers along with Gates. Various rumors quickly spread on the Internet that contitech belts are bad and of poor quality, although in fact the cause of failure lies in improper use or the purchase of counterfeit products.
Contitech specialists themselves say that the most counterfeits are produced for Lada , which is logical, since this is the largest mass market in the country.
In fact, the original Contitech belts are very high quality and will last quite a long time if the installation was carried out correctly and took into account all the features that may affect the further use of the product.
Reviews
Online, car owners exchange opinions, share experiences, and warn each other against all sorts of failures and mistakes. Gates belts have excellent reviews. Here are examples:
For Skoda Octavia Octavia tour 1.4 16 valves. I chose a Gates belt and also changed the Pump just in case. I have no regrets, I drove 20 thousand km after the replacement, the flight is normal.
I put Gates on myself and my friends, there were no problems. (Made in Belgium)
There is a high chance of running into a fake, so you should be responsible about where you buy it. I ordered from the online store. I took it - it turned out to be a fake (can be seen from the markings and hologram), the seller does not get in touch.
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