HANOVER, Germany—Continental A.G. has released a new timing belt designed specifically for PSA Group, a French multinational builder of vehicles and motorcycles sold under the Peugeot, Citroen, DS Automobiles, Opel and Vauxhall brands.
In most cases, the vehicles that use these unique belts comprise a "supermini" class of cars powered by a three-cylinder, high-RPM, 1.2-liter engine, and the timing belt is designed to run in an all-oil environment. The new CT1228 timing belt surpasses the performance of and replaces the older CT1188 belt.
"The belt offers good operational properties, particularly with aging engines because we have significantly improved its specifications," a Conti spokesman said. "That primarily relates to its resistance to impurities or contamination in the oil or engine, which is especially important for belts in oil."
In particular, the belt's material properties make it well-prepared to cope with the risk of crystallization of carbon compounds, reducing the risk of tearing or rupturing.
"The CT1188 itself was extremely tough and hard-wearing," said Robert Franz, Continental product manager. "In the newly developed CT1228 we have been able to improve these properties further still."
Used properly and adhering to strict oil specifications, Franz said, the new belt allows for greater efficiency and smoother running, and can improve the performance of older, high-mileage engines.
"Workshops must play their part in this by complying precisely with the manufacturer's oil specifications," the spokesperson said. "Basically, in these special oils, there are no solvents that attack the rubber and the tendency to crystallization is lower."
The belt maintains an environmental edge, as well, as reduced engine friction leads to lower emissions.
"At the same time, this ensures low-noise operation with very precise timing," Franz said.
Operating in an oily environment, however, has its vices for timing belts.
"Even the slightest level of impurities in the oil can result in the formation of crystals," Franz said. "If such crystals get between the belt and the pulley, the belt can be damaged by the extremely hard crystals and, in the worst-case scenarios, tear."
With this in mind, Continental improved the belt to include glass-cord tension members with an oil-resistant coating, embedded in a hydrogenated nitrile rubber that is crosslinked with peroxide.