Wet belts may last for many years in theory, but eventually wear out. When they do so, their rubber “crumbs” enter your engine oil, potentially blocking up its pickup strainer and starving your engine of essential lubrication.
Are Wet Belt Engines Any Good?
Wet belt engines, commonly referred to as “belt-in-oil” systems, gained in popularity during the early 2000s due to their claim of saving fuel and emissions through keeping their lower belt lubricated. You’ll often see these systems on Ford EcoBoost engines, VW TDI diesel cars and Peugeot/Citroen vehicles.
But we have since come to realize that they may not be what they appear; belts often do not last nearly as long as promised and introduce an entirely new failure mode that traditional dry belts never experienced – specifically rubber “crumbs” from degrading belts clogging oil pickup strainers and depriving key engine areas of essential lubrication.
Therefore, it’s essential that you are aware of whether your car features a wet belt, and insist upon buying cars with the appropriate oil specification on their invoices if possible – otherwise risk an expensive seized engine! Martynn Randall is technical editor for Haynes Publishing Group and has written more than 60 books covering sports cars, classic cars and DIY auto repair.
How Long Will A Wet Belt Last?
Although wet belts were originally touted as long-term solutions, their performance has often fallen far short of owners’ expectations. Many owners find they fail much earlier than anticipated leading to costly repairs and costly material and coating replacement costs.
It appears the special materials and coatings used for creating wet belts don’t hold up well against engine oil which gradually breaks down over time and literally consumes their rubber components over time – often times leading to premature failure and costly repairs.
Belts may come apart and shed their outer layer, leaving fibrous debris behind that blocks oil pick-up and denies the engine lubrication, prompting either the check engine light to illuminate or the limp mode sensor to activate.
Avoid these issues by adhering to your vehicle manufacturer’s service schedule, replacing belts when scheduled and inspecting them regularly. This will help extend their lifespan while also helping detect any signs of wear early and saving money on expensive repairs. For best results, choose an independent garage experienced in working on Ford EcoBoost engines as this will also keep costs under control.
Why Do Fords Use Wet Belts?
Wet belts are submerged in engine oil and run within the crankcase, reducing friction and improving efficiency. While these belts tend to last longer than dry ones, if improper maintenance is not carried out they could become more susceptible to failure and become less reliable over time.
Failure of wet belts is both annoying and potentially catastrophic for any engine. Rubber degradation in oil causes small particles to release and block your oil pickup line preventing adequate lubrication for your engine.
Poor maintenance of wet belt engines is also a leading cause of their degradation, alongside heat and friction damage. Utilizing cheap or degraded engine oils hastens this process and shortens their lifespan significantly.
Ford and other manufacturers have recently updated their wet belt replacement guidelines, offering preventative measures such as frequent oil changes with Ford-approved engine oil to significantly decrease the risk of wet belt failure and save you from expensive engine repairs.
How Much Would It Cost To Replace A Wet Belt?
Wet belts were created as an efficient alternative to dry belts and chains, offering greater efficiency, quieter operation, and increased durability. By immersing their belt in engine oil to reduce frictional heat build-up and extend service intervals compared to their dry counterparts, they have proven more than capable.
Realistically, however, wet belts may degrade faster than expected and often fail prematurely. When the belts degrade they release rubber particles into the engine oil that block its pickup strainer and starve it of vital lubrication – depriving engines of essential lubrication needed to function efficiently.
At its worst, this can result in catastrophic engine failure and major internal damage that requires expensive engine rebuilding or replacement. To reduce wet belt repair bills and ensure optimal performance for years to come, the key to avoiding expensive wet belt repair bills is following an aggressive maintenance schedule using fully synthetic oil with manufacturer certifications.
Book in for regular services when any suspicious sounds such as rattling, grinding or leaking come from within your engine bay – this will help ensure your belt remains in top shape for reliable performance!
Does Bmw Have Wet Belts?
When wet belts first came onto the market they were touted as an efficient way of improving efficiency, reducing noise levels, and decreasing emissions. They were constructed to be immersed in engine oil for easy lubrication – thought to help prolong their longevity over traditional dry timing belts.
Unfortunately, wet belts were soon recognized to be time bombs. Being constantly submerged in engine oil means they deteriorate much more rapidly than standard belts operating independently from it.
Over time, belt material deteriorates and releases rubber particles into engine oil, creating a thick sludge that clogs up oil pumps and leaves an engine without sufficient lubrication – potentially leading to catastrophic engine damage.
Many drivers have experienced costly repair bills after their wet belt broke. To reduce repair bills and ensure peace of mind for both you and your engine, Honest John recommends scheduling regular oil changes and belt inspections well ahead of their manufacturer recommended intervals.
Doing this may prevent expensive and expensive engine failures in the future. Furthermore, when replacing belts AutoVeto MOT recommends investing in quality over economy models to give yourself peace of mind.
Conclusion
Wet belt engines were introduced to improve efficiency, reduce noise, and lower emissions by running the timing belt inside engine oil. Degrading belts can contaminate engine oil, leading to reduced lubrication and potentially severe engine damage.
The key to avoiding costly repairs is strict adherence to servicing schedules, using the correct oil, and replacing the belt at recommended intervals. Ultimately, a well-maintained wet belt engine can perform reliably.
