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What is a 'Wet' belt?

A "wet belt" is a nickname given to a specific design of timing belt that runs internally and is lubricated by the engine's oil, similar to a timing chain. This design is becoming increasingly popular among manufacturers, such as Ford, Peugeot and Citroen, as they weigh less than a metal timing chain and has far less friction than a traditional "dry" timing belt design. This results in improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions, making it a more environmentally friendly option!

When do Wet Belts need replacing?

Although Wet timing belts were designed to last up to 10 years or 120,000 to 150,000 miles, they have been known to fail as early as 30,000 miles. If your vehicle has already covered 50,000 miles or more, we highly recommend replacing your wet belt if you haven't done so yet. This will help keep your vehicle running smoothly and prevent any potential damage, that could cost you thousands in repairs!

Why are Wet Belts failing prematurely?

The presence of oil impurities such as soot and other debris can have a detrimental effect on the timing belt of your engine. The belt can become weakened due to these impurities getting between the belt teeth and pulleys. Additionally, wear on the outer belt coating can expose the underlying materials to oil, which may contain unburnt or partially combusted fuel that can attack the exposed belt materials. This can cause the teeth to detach, leading to slipping pulleys and changes in engine timing, it can also cause a blockage in the oil pump caused by build up of belt debris. This can lead to low oil pressure leading to serious internal engine damage. To minimise such issues, it's crucial to maintain clean engine oil and change it regularly.

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