Wet belt change interval.

PaulandAngie

PaulandAngie

Free Member
Joined
Jul 25, 2020
Posts
74
Likes collected
131
Funster No
73,428
MH
Benimar Tessoro 494
Exp
Caravanned for 30 years, nearly two years in with the motorhome.
Speaking to the Ford service manager last week (its in for its 4 year 50k service shortly at 23K miles) the topic of inspecting the belt came up. Apparently from 2020-2021 the engine wet belt no longer has an inspection (can't physically do it) with the wet belt being different to the earlier models, which has become part of a recall for a free belt change or indeed engine. The new advice from Ford is to have the belt changed at 6 years or 100000K miles and not the 150000K and 10 years as per the service schedule. Apparently Ford don't have any plans to update their schedule anytime soon or contact owners leaving it to the dealerships to break the news!. I guess the new parameters are to offer them some damage limitation against premature failures and to reduce the replacement interval to the industry norm?.
Personally, I will be writing to Ford in a couple of years asking for a contribution to the service item coming forward, which is possibly why the schedule is not being updated anytime soon!

Call me cynical !!.
 
PaulandAngie said:
Personally, I will be writing to Ford in a couple of years asking for a contribution to the service item coming forward, which is possibly why the schedule is not being updated anytime soon!

Call me cynical !!.
Click to expand...
You are a dreamer if you think you will get a contribution. Ford have a long history of shortening cam belt change intervals. MK 3 Escorts spring to mind.
Any sign of your oil level going up get it done ASAP
Loads of opinions on the Ford forums if you want to look.
 
If due a 6 years I’d do it at four, peace of mind.
 
So what vintage of Transit has a wet belt and what preceded it?
 
Hi all, I am reseaeching into second-hand campervans, more specifically Euro 6, so at least 2016. Many options are the Ford Transit Customs and I was almost ready to buy one but I am stumbling into the topic of wet belts a lot.

I am very new to campervans and know very little of vehicle mainteinance so sometimes I see good prices but terrified I will get one that I might need to spend crazy extra money because of it (on top of any potential other issue). Would you discourage me to buy one? Alternatively any tip to identify those that are not 100% with a faulty wet belt?

Thank you all :sun:

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Snaporaz said:
Hi all, I am reseaeching into second-hand campervans, more specifically Euro 6, so at least 2016. Many options are the Ford Transit Customs and I was almost ready to buy one but I am stumbling into the topic of wet belts a lot.

I am very new to campervans and know very little of vehicle mainteinance so sometimes I see good prices but terrified I will get one that I might need to spend crazy extra money because of it (on top of any potential other issue). Would you discourage me to buy one? Alternatively any tip to identify those that are not 100% with a faulty wet belt?

Thank you all :sun:
Click to expand...
Just buy one.

If you don't have evidence of it being changed recently, get it done ASAP, or make it a condition of sale that the vendor gets it done.
 
I wouldn’t leave a wet belt long at all.

This is especially so if the service history is unknown. The wrong oil or no change of oil will mean the belt disintegrates with engine damage as a result.

I cried when it cost me 1k for the belt on my Ducato. Much cheaper and easier than a new engine though.



Check the above for lots of info on them.
 
CAB96 said:
Just buy one.

If you don't have evidence of it being changed recently, get it done ASAP, or make it a condition of sale that the vendor gets it done.
Click to expand...
It isn’t a cheap job is the problem. New timing cover and sump plus tensioners, water pump and belt, oil and filter.

Looking at about 1.5k, still cheaper than an engine though.
 
Had ours changed this year at the new interval of 6 years old (170HP 2018 ecoblue engine) - cost around £1500 at a main dealer.

Wasn't happy with the price however as this is only becoming an issue now for ecoblue engines there aren't that many garages willing to change a wet belt (certainly not in North Wales anyway). I think that will change as more garages gear up for them so may get a little more competitive on price. Also, wanted to be able to go back to the main dealer for any issues - something not possible if I used a third party garage.

Great engine though, smooth & powerful - 46K trouble free miles but I have changed the oil every year which is a major factor to keep the belt in good condition. Also, any top up has to be of the correct spec.
 
Is this engine used in Peugeot vans of the 2020 to 2024 era

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
gus-lopez said:
It used to be a chain driven engine before
Click to expand...
Thanks,
I half knew that when I posted but it seemed sensible to query while reading the thread. Mine is a Mk 7 with Duratorq engine. Ford swapped to the wet belt on the Mk 8 around 2015/2016. (I read up more thoroughly after reading early posts in this thread.)

I do quite like the Ford chassis and engine even at my vintage (I mean the van!). If buying new I would consider buying Ford again as I keep reading reports of Ducatos in limp mode and reducing numbers of Fiat UK repair agencies! The way I look at it is that the Ford is likely nicer to drive and cheaper than a Ducato with full "bells and whistle". The price you pay is a need for very regular service including a big service bill for the belt. But overall total cost for the Ford seems cheaper and the new 8 speed auto seems like an attractive option.

P.S. I know about shredding carbon belts to my cost. My belt drive BMW F800GT ended up with a shredded belt when I pushed the replacement interval too far and then got caught out riding in a hail storm where hail stones chewed the belt to disintegration. Had to wait for the RAC but no lasting harm done. The same could not be said of a Transit shredded wet belt which would mean bent pistons and likely a new engine!
 
Ford aren't the only company that tried wet belts. Peugeot and VW also tried it. Apparently there's even Toyotas with them.

And some of the issues with the Ford are actually a poor tensioner that fatigues and fails, which has nothing to do with the fact it's in oil. When it fails, it causes the wet belt to strip... And because it's behind the sealed timing cover, it's the same expensive job to fix.

I recently needed a car. I was offered a Fiesta with the 1.0 Ecoboost from a family member for very cheap. One owner from new. Well maintained. Fun to drive... But now worth very little because it's 10 years old and is due the wet belt change. I phoned around and it'll cost pretty much the same as the value of the car.
 
Mine is in the garage today for a wet belt change, it’s a 68 plate so 6 years old. I was quoted £1500 at my local Ford dealer and also at a local garage. I’m managing to get it done for £900 at a garage that specialises in Ford Transits about 40 minutes away.
I’ve asked them to keep the belt for me to see what condition it was in.
 
Seems a terrible design idea that, having a wet belt.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Aly1 said:
Mine is in the garage today for a wet belt change, it’s a 68 plate so 6 years old. I was quoted £1500 at my local Ford dealer and also at a local garage. I’m managing to get it done for £900 at a garage that specialises in Ford Transits about 40 minutes away.
I’ve asked them to keep the belt for me to see what condition it was in.
Click to expand...
I would be interested in knowing where/who that is if it is east of you and thus in my direction. I am not expecting such big bills on my Duratorq but it will need an MOT and a service come next March. Currently I plan to use Motorsave in Swinton who are Ford Agents.

Book A Service - Motorsave

Book A Motorsave Service We can service, MOT or carry out general repairs to your vehicle. To book your vehicle in to our system you can call us on 0161
motorsave.net motorsave.net
I would prefer an Indy garage for the saving in cost and to build a relationship with them if they are reasonably convenient for me to get to.

On the subject of poor design another thread on this site has focussed on the design decisions forced on manufacturers by Euro 5 and Euro 6 to reduced emissions. The wet belt is a response as it reduces friction.

I am reasonably happy with my Euro 4 Mk 7 Transit Duratorq which has good torque bandwidth. It would be nice to have a 6th gear (The Mk 7 added a 6th gear from around 2011) and even nicer still to have an auto box. And a shinny new motor is always an attractive toy. But my Hobby T500 has just circa 60K on the clock and will happily bowl along at a true 70 mph at 2,800 revs and is pleasant to drive. Given the amount of time it spends sitting on the drive while I work or do other things its age and cost is proportionate to the amount of use it is getting. I just need to watch out for clean air zones and the like in France and elsewhere in Europe.
 
Just found this video, you can see why wet belt changes cost so much, its a lot of work, even for the experienced guys like the one shown in the video below.
LES
 
Do the petrol engines have a wet belt?

The new Transit Custom hybrid has a 2.5l petrol engine as an option.

Edit: looks like a wet belt. Shame.
 
Why would you buy one now, apparently with the new tie up between vw and Ford on the new transporter it makes you wonder if this engine will be used

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
pagey said:
Why would you buy one now, apparently with the new tie up between vw and Ford on the new transporter it makes you wonder if this engine will be used
Click to expand...
The running gear is the same on the new Transporter, as the current Transit.
I picked up a e-custom today on the 72 hour test offer thats on at the moment.
 
neilydun said:
The running gear is the same on the new Transporter, as the current Transit.
I picked up a e-custom today on the 72 hour test offer thats on at the moment.
Click to expand...
Oh dear
 
chesterfield hooligan said:
There is talk of a chain conversion kit in America but not 100 percent on that yet.
Click to expand...
There is apparently a company in Poland doing a chain kit but you need to have some parts machined to use it.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
The Peugeot wet belt engines used in small hatchbacks have after market chain conversion kits.

But given the amount of engineering involved, is a third party conversion going to be risk free? Or are you just better off paying for a wet belt change every 6 years?
 
We deal with a independent repairer who dose a lot of transits they have several late van's in some with 30,000 miles with wet belt failed they tell me the main thing is correct oil and regular servicing I realise that most motorhomes don't do the mileage commercial van's do but 30,000 miles there are a lot of motorhomes that will achieve that in 6 year's.
 
TinaLes said:
Just found this video, you can see why wet belt changes cost so much, its a lot of work, even for the experienced guys like the one shown in the video below.
LES
Click to expand...

Excellent video & brilliant presentation & work.
Problem is as that belt was starting to go there is a good chance that contaminated oil is around the system.that means the ,also problematical, turbo made of cheese is at risk .
This leads me on to how is all this conducive to saving the planet? Yes they may have got emissions lower but look at all the additional throwaway parts that now have to be changed?
Same with dpf's & catalysts. You only have to look at O'Reillys videos to see the cleaning required if he can save them, all pouring out in to the atmosphere when being cleaned . Or the one I watched last night where 30k miles & the dpf has cracked needs a new one & as he said that will only last another 30k .
Saving the planet? lower emissions? They are all in cloud cuckoo land.
 
Picked up my van today after having the wet belt done. 25000 on the clock. I have always had an annual oil change. The wet belt that was removed was in good condition, it had no cracking or signs of wear.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Join us

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Back
Top