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[Migalot]

Amazing what one can learn by idly watching the latest car-related videos on YouTube.

I had never come across the "wet belt" term before, but apparently it refers to the engine design in which the timing belt (rubber) is part of the internal engine, not on pulleys outside. The belt goes round through the oil in the sump. Consequently, they degrade and trash the engine. Apparently, this feature is common in Fords, Citroens and now Vauxhalls, too.

Unsurprisingly, it costs a grand to have the belt changed in a Transit and the recommended mileage interval has been reduced. Furthermore, you are obliged to use a specific Ford oil. If you don't, or can't prove it, and the belt goes the you have no recourse even if the vehicle is under warranty.

Think I'll stick with my exterior-belted Omega (always changed within the 4-year limit). 

[urlhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nog_0Oe7Z_M][/url]
 

[JamesV6CDX]

Staggering !!! Seen a few youtube videos, literally cannot believe a rubber belt would be intentionally immersed in used engine oil!! Bonkers.

[Nick W]

Staggering !!! Seen a few youtube videos, literally cannot believe a rubber belt would be intentionally immersed in used engine oil!! Bonkers.

What's really staggering is just how complex changing the bloody thing is, when it's a regular maintenance job on common, relatively cheap, vehicles. The book time for a 1.0l Focus is 9 hours and requires numerous and expensive special tools. That's without mentioning the cost of the parts. This is a job that instantly sucks up the £20pa road tax in one impossible to forget bill.

[Doctor Gollum]

Does the Ecoboom last long enough to actually require a new belt?

Any mileage in retrofitting a 1.0 pinto in it's place

[STEMO]

Does the Ecoboom last long enough to actually require a new belt?

Any mileage in retrofitting a 1.0 pinto in it's place

Or just avoiding the ecoboom in the first place.