Wetbelts, cambelts and timing chains in fareham

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Units 20-22, Northern Galleries
Fort Fareham Business Park
Newgate Lane, Fareham, PO14 1AH

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Wet belts, cam belts, timing chains in Fareham, Gosport and Lee on Solent

What is a wet belt?!

A wet belt (or belt-in-oil system) is a modern engine timing belt that runs submerged in engine oil rather than dry. Designed to reduce friction, noise, and improve fuel efficiency, they are commonly used in smaller engines like Ford EcoBoost, EcoBlue, Vauxhall, Citroen and Peugeot models. However, they require strict, timely maintenance with the correct specifications of oil as oil exposure can cause the rubber to degrade, leading to potential engine failure. Over time degradation from heat, oil contamination, and over time, it begins to fray and shed particles, these rubber particles and fibers circulate in the oil and get trapped by the oil strainer/pick-up pipe, which sits in the sump to filter oil before it enters the pump resulting in oil starvation and engine damage.

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Affected Vehicles
This issue is common in smaller, modern engines, particularly:
Ford: 1.0 EcoBoost and 1.5 EcoBlue engines, 1.2 PureTech engines (Peugeot, Citroën, DS, Vauxhall/Opel) and Some Honda and Toyota models.

Here is a picture of a degraded wetbelt.

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DONT WORRY, WE DO WET BELTS

We are highly experienced, well recommended and carry all the latest tools when it comes to wet belt changes, we pride ourselves in being one of the only local garages that will not shy away from wet belt changes on all makes and models as a result of our expertise and experience.

While many manufacturers originally claimed wet belts could last 10 years or 150,000 miles, real-world conditions and up to date data has led to a drastically shorter revised intervals.

Real World Degradation Factors have shown that Short journeys, stop-start driving, and fuel/moisture contamination in the oil speeds up belt breakdown resulting in revised advice.

Many specialists including ourselves recommend replacing wet belts every 5-6 years or 50-60,000 miles (or even as early as 40,000 miles for some engines) to ensure safety.

We also check the oil strainers and turbo feed filters.

OIL STRAINER

Consequences of a Blocked Strainer

A blocked oil strainer causes oil starvation to the engine, resulting in severe consequences:

Catastrophic Engine Failure: The engine loses oil pressure, leading to seizure or severe damage to vital components like the camshaft and crankshaft.

Turbocharger Failure: Turbochargers are highly sensitive to oil starvation, and a blocked strainer frequently leads to their failure.

Vacuum Pump Blockage: Debris can also block the vacuum pump, causing a hard brake pedal and dangerous, sudden loss of braking assistance

TIMING CHAINS

Signs of a Failing Timing Chain

While robust, timing chains can “stretch” (the pins and links wear down, creating slack) or break if maintenance is neglected. Also the chain guides wear down and even break apart resulting in excessive slack in the chain.

Rattling Noises: A distinct metallic rattle or clattering sound, especially during a cold start.

Engine Misfires: Poor performance or rough idling because the valves are no longer opening at the exact right time.

Metal Shavings: Small metal fragments found in the oil during a service, indicating the chain or sprockets are wearing down.

Check Engine Light: Modern engine ECUs can detect if the timing has shifted even slightly out of sync

TIMING/CAM BELT

A cam belt or a timing belt is a toothed rubber belt that synchronises the rotation of the engine’s crankshaft and camshaft. This ensures that the engine’s valves open and close at the precise moments required for the intake and exhaust strokes of the pistons and ensures valves and pistons never meet.

Maintenance & Replacement

Cam belts have a finite lifespan and must be replaced according to the manufacturer’s schedule to avoid the belt snapping resulting in engine failure so always refer to your manual to see when your needs doing. Manufactures recommendations range from every 40,000 miles to 100,000 miles but since the belt is made of a perishable rubber, time is always a factor, and we would recommend you have your cam belt changed every 5 – 7 years even if you have not travelled the recommended milage for a belt change.