Dayco brings first timing belt in oil to North American aftermarket at AAPEX

Dayco announced at AAPEX its latest pioneering technology—the first timing belt in oil (TBIO) technology to the North American automotive aftermarket, serving more than 2 million Ford and Lincoln vehicles with turbocharged engines.

The company invented the OE technology as a boon to auto repair shops servicing the growing number of equipped vehicles now reaching their service intervals.

According to its media release, TBIO timing belts operate while submerged in motor oil on the engine's wet side. The hybrid approach combines belt and chain performance benefits, allowing automakers to downsize engines, reduce weight, and improve noise and vibration characteristics while maintaining durability.

Aftermarket Business World spoke with Jerry Reeves, head of product management for Dayco, about this new technology and how it works.

Aftermarket Business World: Tell us bout this new launch.

Jerry Reeves: We're launching three part numbers for Ford applications. We're bringing OEM technology to the aftermarket for timing belt in oil, which is really an oil pump drive belt. The part numbers cover common engines—the 1.5-, 2.7-, and 3-liter. We're the OEM supplier for this, so it's a big opportunity for education.

All of these engines have timing chains that drive the camshafts, but the oil pump is driven by a belt. People who have an F-150 with a 2.7-liter probably don't realize that there's a belt that could potentially need to be serviced inside their engine. That's the challenge ahead—educating customers that this service needs to happen.

Aftermarket Business World: Prior to Dayco bringing this to the aftermarket, where could technicians buy this belt?

Reeves: The only place you can buy this belt is at the dealership. So now, technicians in the aftermarket can buy this belt, and it's exactly the same as the OEM part.

Aftermarket Business World: What kind of service intervals are we talking about?

Reeves: GM has a 150,000-mile service interval on this belt. Ford says it's a lifetime belt, but they sell it in their dealerships and service it.

Aftermarket Business World: Will this be expensive for the consumer?

Reeves: On an F-150 with a 2.7, it's roughly a $4,000 job. When somebody says, "Hey, you have a belt that you should probably replace," that's a significant investment. The belt is inside the oil pan, so you have to remove the front timing cover and drop the oil pan to access it.

Aftermarket Business World: How will this be available to shops?

Reeves: It'll be available through distributors and auto parts stores.