Wet Belt. A Very Lucky Escape.

[Mississippi Bullfrog]

2 hours ago, Steve_M said:

Our previous Focus had a full wet belt system, the one we own now has a chain AND wet belt! One each for separate functions (they did tell me but my brain shut down midway through the explanation). It seems that the local garage I use - a former Ford Dealership - has seen a few failures and belts needing replacing, most as a result of infrequent oil changes. The schedule is every 18,000 miles. We service ours annually - about every 10,000 miles, while it’s in for MoT. 
 

I asked about the wet belt replacement while it was in for service and they telll me they charge between £1200 and £1400 to do it alongside a service. The variance in cost is because of potential issues with various bolts etc. seized etc. 

18000 mile oil changes? Surely not. 

 

 

[RideWithStyles]

Yep.

Long life, low ash and sulphur oil, loads of different specs more than a simple 40w, oils can do and be engineered to do wonders (just ask ktm) but it comes at a cost. 
Fiat had one for pandas and 500 twin air, Audi had one for the RS6. trying to find the correct spec oil at a reasonable cost was a challenged. 

Admittedly that is with assumptions of absolute perfect conditions, realistically 12 thou is pushing it really but when or if people research it for a new car makes it look like servicing is cheap but the manufacturer are hopeful it will be put on to the next owner (after the warranty expires) and it’s their problem.

Edited February 18 by RideWithStyles

[Mississippi Bullfrog]

1 hour ago, RideWithStyles said:

Yep.

Long life, low ash and sulphur oil, loads of different specs more than a simple 40w, oils can do and be engineered to do wonders (just ask ktm) but it comes at a cost. 
Fiat had one for pandas and 500 twin air, Audi had one for the RS6. trying to find the correct spec oil at a reasonable cost was a challenged. 

Admittedly that is with assumptions of absolute perfect conditions, realistically 12 thou is pushing it really but when or if people research it for a new car makes it look like servicing is cheap but the manufacturer are hopeful it will be put on to the next owner (after the warranty expires) and it’s their problem.

Oil may lubricate to longer mileages but the detergent properties get exhausted much sooner. The extended service schedules are ridiculous.  

 

A mate used to be a Vauxhall workshop manager when they did 100,000 mile warranties. Vauxhall were replacing so many engines that had been serviced according to their own schedules that they had to scrap their warranty.  

[JRH]

On 17/02/2025 at 15:35, JohnJive650 said:

Didn't realise non Ford's had the wetbelt issue. 

I swapped my Fiesta at almost 4yrs to avoid any issues. I now own a Yaris Hybrid. What a fantastic car 

The motor industry buy in parts from other suppliers/ car manufacturers. PSA for instance supply engines and gearboxes to many other manufacturers. 

[RideWithStyles]

I know. shearing is also one of many more added problems, Which is why I said 12thou is pushing it really even with better than ever oils..

which funny enough, I’m due to change the oil on the bike this or coming month , luckily nothing exotic or expensive for this old bike….

[Steve_M]

8 hours ago, Mississippi Bullfrog said:

18000 mile oil changes? Surely not. 

 

 

Focus 1.0 l Ecoboost.
 

Apparently - unless I’ve misunderstood.

 

 

[Bender]

8 hours ago, Mississippi Bullfrog said:

18000 mile oil changes? Surely not. 

 

 

My van is 25000 miles or 2yrs and all nissan commercials come with 5yr warranty 

[Mississippi Bullfrog]

8 hours ago, Bender said:

My van is 25000 miles or 2yrs and all nissan commercials come with 5yr warranty 

I suspect that is something determined by accountants and salespeople rather than engineers.

 

I will stick to 6,000 mile oil changes and run my engines until the car falls to bits around them.

[Bender]

47 minutes ago, Mississippi Bullfrog said:

I suspect that is something determined by accountants and salespeople rather than engineers.

 

I will stick to 6,000 mile oil changes and run my engines until the car falls to bits around them.

I'm not saying it's good practice just they are happy with it and give 5yrs warranty, I've never gone to the 25k, the engines do use timing chains and don't have a history of self destruction though 

[Steve_M]

On 18/02/2025 at 15:21, RideWithStyles said:

Yep.

Long life, low ash and sulphur oil, loads of different specs more than a simple 40w, oils can do and be engineered to do wonders (just ask ktm) but it comes at a cost. 
Fiat had one for pandas and 500 twin air, Audi had one for the RS6. trying to find the correct spec oil at a reasonable cost was a challenged. 

Admittedly that is with assumptions of absolute perfect conditions, realistically 12 thou is pushing it really but when or if people research it for a new car makes it look like servicing is cheap but the manufacturer are hopeful it will be put on to the next owner (after the warranty expires) and it’s their problem.

I nearly fell off my perch when I saw the cost of oil for the Focus last week. I don’t generally bother looking at the breakdown of costs but there were a couple of additional authorised items I wanted to check.

[Egon247]

eek. lucky escape. Even VVT actuators can cause major headaches. 

Back in 2014 we (me n mrs Egon) bought a peugeot 3008. Kids, dog and all that jazz, its a great wagon. Its engine, however is not. 

Designed by Peugeot, citreon and bmw after many glasses of wine and gluvine, they got it VERY wrong. 

A simplex chain on the engine should be fine on a 1600cc but that was not to be. 

It has had TWO new chains fitted to it. One at 11,000 miles by peugeot along with tensioner and guides. One at 60,000 by me with tensioner and guides. Not a job i relished....

 

The oil pressure sender died, causing a 5v circuit to short out, taking out three other major components, including an aux belt tensioner/actuator. I mean, what the hell were they thinking when they thought "i know, the aux belt is a simple thing, lets put an actuator in there that keeps it off until the engine has warmed up...." 

 

The PCV breather has shat itself twice and has actually filled up the intercooler with oil, to the point that i could pour it out....

 

And i change the 0w-30 every 6 months....

 

Poxy things, Cars.