The Ultimate Guide to Ford Wetbelts

What is a wet belt?

A wet belt – also known as a wet timing belt, or a belt-in-oil timing system, is a type of timing belt that sits inside an engine, submerged in engine oil.

The idea behind the design of a wetbelt was to reduce friction, improve efficiency, and to ultimately extend the life of the belt.

How long is a Ford wetbelt likely to last? Ford recommend replacing the wetbelt in their EcoBoost engines every 10 years, or 150,000 miles – whichever comes first. It is important to note here though, that many real-world experiences with these wetbelts suggest that it should be replaced earlier – between 5 years or 50,000 miles.

Prevention of a wetbelt failure is a much better solution than leaving the wetbelt unmaintained – primed for failure, which can cause catastrophic engine damage. Regular maintenance is key to preventing wetbelt failure.

When compared to other belt systems, the Ford wetbelt produces less noise than a timing chain. Additionally, the reduced friction can lead to improved engine efficiency, giving better fuel economy. However, the Ford wetbelts are known for being hard to inspect due to them being submerged in oil. They are also sensitive to dirty or degraded oil, which can cause the belt to break down prematurely.

Ultimately, the concept behind the Ford wetbelt offers great benefits, however, they can also led to significant vehicle issues when not properly maintained.

Which Ford Models use a Wet Belt?

Ford introduced wetbelt technology in a range of its small-mid sized engines – namely the EcoBoosy range.
Please note - Not every engine of the same size uses a wetbelt. For example, the 1.0 EcoBoost engines definitely do, but some later 1.5 and 1.6 variants use traditional timing chains. Please get in touch for confirmation.

Wetbelts are mostly used in:

·       1.0 EcoBoost petrol engines

·       2.0 EcoBlue

·       Some 1.5L EcoBoost petrol engines

Why do Ford wet belts fail?

Real-world exposure of the Ford wet belt has exposed some strong and unique downfalls of the systems:

Signs the wet belt on your Ford could be failing

There are usually a number of things you are likely to pick up on that indicate your wetbelt is failing.

These can include the low oil pressure warning light, or the engine management warning light appearing on your dashboard. You may also hear a variety of unusual noises, such as grinding, squealing, tapping or a rattling noise.  

You may notice a drop in performance of your vehicle, for example – regular misfires and difficulty starting the engine, or struggling acceleration.  

What happens if a wet belt fails?

A failing wetbelt is more than just an inconvenience – it can lead to catastrophic engine damage. Once you start to see signs of weltbelt failure, you can’t wait around to replace it – often when a wetbelt fails, it does so suddenly and without warning.

Consequences of wetbelt failure can include:

• Engine timing loss – internal damaged parts
• Complete engine failure – could require a full engine rebuild or replacement
• Oil contamination – increasing internal damage and reducing oil pressure

Is it worth repairing a Ford wetbelt?

In short, yes. If your vehicle is in good condition, replacing the wetbelt is a great investment in keeping your Ford safe, and performing well.