Belt-in-Oil Timing Systems

Belt-in-oil manufacturers claim that “wet belts” offer up to a 30% reduction in friction loss compared to chains or dry belts.
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[chengkunwang]

There have been so many failures of belt in oil system that screw up the engine entirely. The benefit is far far less than the problem it has created. These engine manufacturers have lost their mind.

[grahamsmith]

Chains, proven and tested over a hundred years, let's cut the bullshit.

[mazdaman]

These belts are letting go at as little as 40, 000 miles. Truly disastrous resulting in massive cost or a worthless pile of metal.

[joansmith]

Back in the 70’s and 80’s, my husband, being a mechanic at the time says that one of the biggest causes of failure with the then new idea of using rubber belts in place of timing chains on overhead camshaft engines was oil leakage from the camshaft oil seal, the oil causing contamination and premature failure of the belt. A particular problem with the Ford Pinto engines. How on earth 40 plus years later have these so called design engineers decided that it’s a good idea to run a rubber belt through a ‘bath’ of oil? The mind truly boggles.

[Bastatubig]

1%efficient is not equal to the work when replacing that belt not to mention the price for that belt.

[codprawn]

Ford Ranger 2L bi turbo diesel uses a wet belt. After a while bits of rubber come off the belt and block oil ways. Crazy idea they have gone mad! A rubber belt running in hot oil is a recipe for disaster!

[paulfildes]

The total brake failure that my son experienced while coming off the slip road at Junction 10 on the M23 motorway was terrifying and he (and his apprentice) were fortunate not to have been involved in a major accident at this busy junction.
The cause of the failure is well documented - the use of the wet belt inside the EcoBoost engine causes delamination over time. Debris from it eventually clogs the pick up pipe and vacuum pump which then fails causing the brake pedal to go hard.
The brake pedal simply cannot be depressed to slow the vehicle no matter how hard you try.
He is self-employed and relies on his Ford Transit Custom van everyday. It is currently at a Hendy Ford garage awaiting a goodwill gesture from Ford - as it is a few months out of warranty - yet the wet belt was not due to be changed for another 30, 000 miles at the earliest.The current estimated cost of the repairs are £1, 800! In addition, the failure of the wet belt may have caused damage to the turbo and the cost to replace it would be £1, 000 according to Hendy. He has had the vehicle regularly serviced - using the specified oil.
Ford have a duty to undertake the repairs - and cover any additional damages resulting from the delamination of the wet belt but they are digging their heels in - offering a fraction of the repair cost.

[bikeman]

As you can never really be sure your shop is replacing your oil with the correct spec, these belts are just a time bomb. They also cost 3 times more to replace than a dry belt, so many cars will never have then replaced with the result that many will destroy their engines prematurely. Don't buy these cars and manufacturers will stop making them.

[Tigerfire]

It is not a lot of fun changing a timing belt. Add oil in and you are just adding trouble. You don't have to add oil to the belt just make it of better material.

[thomaswarner]

This sums it up at the end... "And from what we've heard, replacement wet-belt kits are becoming a rather popular category." What an engineering freakin nightmare disaster. This is how to throw the brand reputation under the bus.

[merlin]

After watching a recent video of a woman in charge of a small haulage company that purchases dozens of ford transits and saying that almost all of them had to go back to ford due to a wet belt issue, ive become rather cautious of my transit custom now !!

[lewis]

Another dumb idea up there with pastic chain tensioners and plastic thermostat housing.

[redjohn]

In my opinion wet belt engines are a complete disaster particularly for a used car buyer.

[steveobrien]

Whoever thought that this was a good idea was the worst engineer ever .

[michaelt.]

Here in Europe we call the Ford Ecoboost the Ford EcoBOOM for good reason. Stay well clear of wet belt design engines !!!

[Justacogg]

My bet is history will not be kind to these types of belts!

[scrambler-xkkv]

Was going to buy my wife a Ecosport until I found out it has a wet belt. The new for 2024 Chevy Trax 1.2 liter has a wet belt two one camshaft and one oil pump. Whereas the 1.3 used in the Trailblazer has a chain. My question is, as oil gets miles on it, it becomes very acidic. I would think that acid would work on deteriating the belt with small pieces getting into oil passages and blocking them, so the engine is toast. This sort of reminds me of when Chrysler thought it was a good idea to have the water pump in the crankcase of the 2.7 liter engine. What a cluster that was. Think this may very well have similar results.

[jeremylister]

1.0 ecoboost.
Failure (without warning) means the car is beyond economic repair $8.000 for new engine on 3 year old 35, 000 mile dealer serviced car.
Ford say 'get lost, it's YOUR problem'
If you decide to change the belts before this happens, it costs $2, 200.
DO NOT BUY A CAR WITH THIS ENGINE

[Bobby-ezso]

Any quick online search including YouTube videos will reveal that wet timing belts are unreliable junk.
Several European automakers who have been using this technology for a few years have bombarded with complaints from customers of not only premature timing belt failure at the 50-to-60-thousand-mile mark on a belt supposed to last 150 thousand miles but rubber peels from the belt plugging up the oil sump screen causing the engine to have oil pressure loss and shutting down.
The oil pan must be removed to clean the sump screen which is costly.
Even worse, if a small piece of rubber gets into an oil gallery that part of the engine is oil starved, and you have premature engine ware.
To change the wet timing belt, it is labor intensive because many upper engine parts must be removed to access it making it expensive to replace.
The 2024 Chevy Trax 1.2 engine uses a wet belt system along with its sister, Buick Envista and owners of these cars are in for a rude awakening.
My advice, stay away from any cars that have this very unreliable technology.

[Jones-xxgc]

What an absolute genius the person is that came up with this idea for modern cars. I hope the company that person is working for has deep pockets, as I don't see why the paying public should foot the bill for all the failures.