• SkillAuto competition enters final phase
• DENSO A/C Compressor growth spurs range extension
• The King is Dead, Long Live the King
• Facom’s ratchet with a twist
• Professional brake bleeder designed for one-man operation
• Feel the Force with PowerBolt
SkillAuto competition enters final phase
The search for the UK’s best young automotive technicians has entered its final phase with the announcement of the finalists in the Institute of the Motor Industry’s SkillAuto competition, who will compete for gold at the UK Skills Show in November. Six Autopaint and Autotech and seven Autobody competitors will advance to the final at the Birmingham NEC. Around 100,000 people are expected to visit the Skills Show, which provides a platform for the best of the nation’s young talent to compete in their chosen fields, as well as giving visitors the chance to “have a go” at new skills and gain careers advice.
Competition tasks included preparing and painting panels, scratch repair and colour matching for Autopaint competitors; whilst Autobody competitors faced such challenges as welding, metal finish repairs and plastic fill repairs. Autotech tasks included a timing belt change on a Land Rover TD4 engine, transmission reassembly, a detailed inspection of a Jaguar XJ and various fault diagnosis activities. The objective of all tasks is to test candidate’s ability to work on real world challenges under time pressures associated with a busy workshop.
Steve Nash, the IMI’s Chief Executive, said: “Congratulations to all of the SkillAuto competitors that have made it through to the upcoming finals. SkillAuto is a vital tool for placing the spotlight on the importance of skills in the motor industry. Many people are still unaware of the technical complexity of modern vehicles and the high level of skills required to maintain and repair them. The young people that have reached the final represent the high calibre of apprentices the motor industry needs and they are role models for future generations of automotive professionals.
SkillAuto is sponsored and made possible by IMI Awards, Würth, Morelli, GTG and Car-O-Liner. To find out more about SkillAuto and career opportunities in the motor industry, please visit www.autocity.org.uk.
MOT Workshop Magazine
DENSO A/C Compressor growth spurs range extension
DENSO Aftermarket Sales UK has confirmed that it has placed further investment in its A/C Compressor offering, following recent growth in sales and demand for its proven air conditioning (A/C) compressors range.
This spring will mark the introduction of 44 new compressor references, bringing the total number to nearly 400 and covering more than 2000 applications, offering extensive vehicle parc coverage.
All DENSO A/C Compressors are original equipment (OE) on a range of vehicles and delivered in the aftermarket as complete assemblies, pre-filled with the right amount of oil.
Vehicles covered by the range extension include:
BMW: 1 series (E81/82/87/88), 3 series (E90/91/92), 5 series (E60/61), X3 (F25) and Z4 (E89)
Daihatsu: Sirion
Fiat Group: Alfa Mito, Fiat Bravo 2007, Fiat Grande Punto, Lancia Delta
Honda: Accord VII, CR-V
Iveco: New Daily
Jaguar: XJ6 350
Mercedes: E class (212), S class (221), ML (164)
Mitsubishi: Pajero
Porsche: Panamera, GT3
Toyota: Yaris II, Auris, Corolla, Urban Cruiser
VW Group: Audi A4, A5, Q5, Q7, VW New Beetle, Touareg, T5
The A/C compressor is at the core of a vehicle’s climate control system. Driven by the engine, it sucks in the low pressure and low temperature refrigerant gas from the evaporator and compresses it into a state of high pressure and high temperature. The refrigerant is then discharged and supplied to the condenser.
Find out more
To find out even more about DENSO Aftermarket Sales UK please call 02476 843416 or email info.amsales@denso-sales.co.uk. Alternatively, log onto www.denso-am.co.uk, to find out the latest company news, as well as viewing e-catalogues, finding products and locating suppliers in your areas. Added to this, DENSO Aftermarket Sales UK can also be contacted via Twitter.
Follow @densopartsuk to find out up-to-date news from the company, as well as getting instant answers for any technical questions you may have.
MOT Workshop Magazine
The King is Dead, Long Live the King
Eight Years ago LED technology transformed workshop lighting with the introduction of LED inspection lamps.
One of the first to the market and a trail blazer for other products to follow was Ring’s RIL3000. The introduction of this lamp to the UK aftermarket changed forever inspection lamp design. Out went the traditional incandescent, 240v mains powered lamps that produced poor quality yellow light. In came a cordless and rechargeable LED lamp that produced a crisp, even white light.
But the time has now come for Ring to say farewell to the RIL3000, passing on the baton to the latest generation of inspection lamps.
Through innovation and utilising the latest technology, Ring continues to produce inspection lamps that lead the market.
The RIL4000 is the brightest lamp in the range. Using Strip LED technology it produces 4 times as much light output as a 21 LED lamp. It is also magnetic for hands free working and a flexible pivot base for multiple positioning.
Bhavesh Mistry – Product Manager for Ring Automotive says “The RIL4000 is way ahead of standard LED inspection lamps. The Strip LED technology provides a brighter and wider illumination that mechanics will really appreciate. No longer will they have to continually readjust the position of the lamp to direct light.”
Also in the range is the RIL2900 lamp, the toughest of the Ring lamps. With an IK10 impact rating it will withstand being run over by a 7.5 tonne truck. Its IP65 rating makes it weatherproof for outdoor use.
The RIL2550HV is a high visibility and compact lamp ideal for constantly having on your person. It includes a hook and magnetic base for hands free working. Being high visibility, mechanics should always be able to find their inspection lamp even in dark areas and not leave it on a vehicle.
All three of course owe a little to the RIL3000; the original LED inspection lamp that changed how mechanics work.
MOT Workshop Magazine
Facom’s ratchet with a twist
Renowned European tool manufacturer, Facom, expands its range of innovative twist-handle ratchets while making improvements to existing models.
Facom’s twist-handle ratchets offer mechanics and engineers a highly efficient and flexible solution to tightening and undoing, especially in confined spaces. As well as a traditional ratcheting action, these clever tools incorporate Facom’s Protwist mechanism, allowing users to continue turning the fastener by simply twisting the handle, much like a ratchet screwdriver.
A 1/2” version (S.360PB) has been added to the existing 1/4” (R.360PB) and 3/8” (J.360PB) models to complete the line-up, while two new enhancements have been incorporated across the range: a knurled section on the shaft to allow finger-tightening in ultra-confined spaces and a redesigned head profile that improves access.
The winning features from the original designs, such as the quick-release lock, super-strong ratcheting mechanism with reverse ring and ergonomically-shaped handle, are all still present in the updated versions.
Alison Howard, Marketing Manager for Facom, says, “The original twist-handle ratchets have been a big hit with our customers and it is their feedback that has driven the introduction of the 1/2 inch model. However, before going ahead with production, we decided to revisit the overall design first, to see what, if any, practical improvements could be made. The new features have been carefully considered and will, we believe, offer significant increases in productivity.”
List prices are as follows:
R.360PB 1/4” model £56.14 +VAT
J.360PB 3/8” model £58.33 +VAT
S.360PB 1/2” model £63.00 +VAT
For further information on Facom or to find your local stockist visit
www.facom.com
MOT Workshop Magazine
Professional brake bleeder designed for one-man operation
This professional workshop brake bleeding system (Laser part no: 5629) is designed for one man operation and is quick, clean and efficient. The internal pressure pump is powered from the vehicle’s 12 volt battery and the brake fluid reservoir has a five litre capacity which enables the entire braking system fluid to be replaced in one fill without the risk of the reservoir running dry.
The unit supplies brake fluid under pressure to the vehicle’s fluid reservoir, this pressure can be adjusted to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Once set up the system is bled by opening the bleed screws.
Compact and portable, the stainless steel construction makes it strong and easy to clean. This is a professional kit for the busy workshop, the price is £650.00 (+ VAT) but remember to check your local supplier for the best prices and special offers.
More details from www.lasertools.co.uk
MOT Workshop Magazine
Feel the Force with PowerBolt
When a device is out of power, the road warrior is out of commission. Recharging a mobile device battery on-the-go can be a challenge: charging kiosks and receptacles at airports and coffee shops are few and far between, and charging devices in a hotel brings the added risk of accidentally leaving a smartphone or tablet behind.
Kensington has a new range of PowerBolt devices that are smaller and more convenient for in-car or in-seat charging options. The new Kensington PowerBolt range fits any 9V power adaptor to provide power-on-the-move for USB devices. A range of 11 different PowerBolt models are available, from the top-of-the-range PowerBolt Dual, providing simultaneous charging for two power-hungry USB devices such as iPad, through to the affordable PowerBolt Car Charger, and the super-slimline PowerBolt Micro Car Charger. PowerBolt prices start at £19.99.
www.kensington.com/kensington/en/gb/s/1411/car-chargers-mounts.aspx
MOT Workshop Magazine