The Problem With Wet Timing Belts and Early Failure

Does your vehicle use a Wet Timing Belt?

Why is it important to know what type of timing belt is used in your car?

Wet Belts are a technology used by a wide variety of manufacturers quoting a service life of up to 100,000 miles or 10 years. Sounds Great!

As time passes these quoted service intervals are proving unrealistic with failures coming as low as 60 to 70,000 miles.

This type engine is well known and documented for the degradation of the wet belt, unaddressed this can lead to early belt failure causing extensive and costly engine damage.

Both the timing belt and oil pump drive belt can delaminate depositing debris into the engines sump.

This in turn blocks the oil pick up, preventing lubrication to other parts of the engine causing additional unnecessary damage.

We carry out these repairs using genuine parts and recommended specialised oils to help ensure your wet belt.

These wet belts are used by well known vehicle manufacturers such as Ford, Peugeot, Citroen, Vauxhall and Volkswagen but this is a far from exhaustive list.

If you're unsure call us today on 01202 528667 and we will confirm what type of timing belt your vehicle uses.

How Can I Tell If My Wet Belt Is Damaged?

Wet Belts aren't prone to breaking , the most likely damage is for the teeth to break free from the main part of the wet belt. As the wet belt is contained within the engine casing there's no visible way examine the teeth on the wet belt.

Things to be aware of:

• Is your car in limp mode (reduced performance engine management light on)?
• Has your car become harder to start?
• Do you get a misfire or the occasional jumping sensation while driving?
• Rattling and clicking noises from the engine?

If you recognise any of these symptoms and think your wet belt needs attention then please call us today on 01202 528667 as fast action can save catastrophic engine damage.

What Can I Do To Prevent Wet Belt Failure?

Don't skip a service, especially if you do low mileage

Driving low mileage does not mean an oil change is not needed, in fact short trips and stop start driving cause more damage. On short trips of 5 miles or less your engine doesn't reach full temperature and can't fully expel the fuel residue and gases that build up, this can happen in stop start traffic as well. Due to the presence of these contaminants the oil becomes more acidic which speeds up the degradation of the wet belt shortening it's life.

We recommend that you should, at the very least, get a basic service that includes an oil and filter change with a safety inspection once a year at the even if you only do low mileage. We offer MOT plus Servicing packages to help reduce your servicing costs.

Reduce Your Wet Belt Replacement Intervals

Your manufacturer will have set a replacement interval, these intervals are proving to be unrealistic across all manufacturers. We can give you information about the service interval and make a suggestion based on your type of car the type of driving, service history and documented failures and mileages at which they generally occur.

Make sure your service centre uses the correct engine oil

Many of these belts are failing due to the use of the wrong oils during servicing, not only is it important to use the correct viscocity (thickness) but also the specific oil produced for use with wet belts. Always keep your oil topped up with the correct oil.

If you're unsure call us today on 01202 528667 and we will confirm what type of timing belt your vehicle uses.