Wet Belts? Whats the Scoop?

[Rally Pack 2000]

I am usually insulated from modern car tech given the older style cars I use even for every day transport but this past week from mechanics to newspaper articles I keep hearing scare off warning about wet belt cars which Ford apparently is a big offender.

So whats the story on them? I know what they are but I was curious about user experiences and why its so expensive to replace the belts and the damage they cause? Have any members dabbled for their every day road cars?

[ekjdm14]

Wouldn't touch one with your bargepole mate. From what I've seen the belts disintegrate in the oil (wow, who'd have thought it?) and at best start to clog up passages with shed rubber/cord and generally strip their teeth and stop driving the oil pump, which is great for an engine also. From what I've heard it's a pretty big job to do the repair, sump/pump/front main/timing set and stuff like that off & probably replacing the shells if it's gone completely too.

 

I can't honestly think of a good reason to not have the oil pump driven by chain or gears, I'm into Frenchies too (another big offender for the moderns having wet belts) and think I've seen an oil pump or chain failure one time in the old style bottom ends (XU/XUD/DW/EW series up to about '06-09). That was an engine that had sat and somehow got varnish/residue in the oil pump, which locked up when the car warmed up after being resurrected & cracked the housing/broke the chain.  

 

Anything post-2000 kinda turns me off automatically on grounds of being too new, but especially if the mfr saw fit to include rubber belts inside the crankcase. I have heard of chain upgrades being offered, but not done much research as it's about 20 years out of my wheelhouse. Can't imagine they're any worse than the belt at least!

Edited 22 hours ago by ekjdm14

[Jersey Stardust]

My Transit Custom has a wet belt. The Van will be 5 years old in November, I will arrange to have the belt changed, as not taking any risks, the oil has been changed every year using the correct Castrol Magnatec oil. Talking to a Mechanic mate, he thinks it is a ridiculous design, but did say if you change the oil at the correct time, using a decent oil, you will be fine. If your vehicle flashes on with a 'Regen light' get the Regen done as soon as possible, as this does dilute the oil. Most newer vehicles will self Regen.

Will update when the Belt is renewed

 

Thanks

[Ray]

my neighbour has a 6 year old Ford Ranger thats wet belt, its now sat under a cover for the next year, as the finance agreement wont allow him to sell it, the cost to repair it with a second hand engine and new turbo is just shy of £10,000.00, and its had all its proper servicing

from what im advised, when you do an oil change, its important to drop off and clean out the sump to prolong the life, because all the bits of rubber get in and block the oilways

cars with these engines are a big theft item here, being stolen just for the donor engines, and garages are making fortunes out of changing the belts as well, some have actually diversified into that being their main core business

junk, leave well alone