Wet Belt Warning Signs: Ford EcoBoost and PureTech Engines

What is a wet belt?

A wet belt, also called a belt-in-oil, does the same job as a normal cambelt: it keeps the engine's moving parts in time. The difference is that it sits inside the engine in the oil. It is common on the Ford 1.0 EcoBoost and on 1.2 PureTech engines used by Peugeot, Citroën and Vauxhall.

Why wet belts wear out

The belt is sensitive to the oil it runs in. The wrong oil, missed services or lots of short journeys can make it break down early. Small pieces of the belt can then block the oil pick-up, which starves the engine of oil.

Wet belt warning signs

• The oil pressure warning light comes on, even briefly
• Black flakes in the oil or on the dipstick
• The engine management light comes on
• Brake pedal feels harder than usual (on some engines, belt debris can affect the brake vacuum pump)
• Unusual rattling or ticking noises from the engine

If the oil pressure light comes on, stop as soon as it is safe and do not keep driving. Driving on with low oil pressure can badly damage the engine.

How often should a wet belt be replaced?

It depends on the engine. Ford quotes 10 years or 150,000 miles for the 1.0 EcoBoost, while the interval for the 1.2 PureTech was reduced to 6 years or 62,000 miles. Your car's service history and the way it is driven also matter, so a check before it is due is the safest option.

What does wet belt replacement cost?

Wet belt replacement is a bigger job than a normal cambelt, because the sump has to come off and the oil system must be cleaned. At our Castleford garage most wet belt replacements cost between £900 and £1,500, depending on the vehicle. We offer a free wet belt check first and confirm the exact price before any work starts.