Engine oil change interval on Ford wet belt

[DIYspanner]

For a 69 1.0 Eco Boost Fiesta, its 30k km/24 months officially.

Anyone doing the changes more frequently for these engines?

The welt belts don't seem to be getting good press and since the oil quality is obviously crucial to the belt, I presume more frequent changes will aid the belt's life.

 

[Mottie]

If I had a wet belt engine (and I wouldn’t), I’d be changing the oil every 6 months.

 

[evdamadiynot]

Ditto that
12 months or 10,000 mile absolute maximum.
For the sake of the whole engine.
I change my dry belt Dv6 motor oil at six months/ 3000 mile and its absolutely filthy.

 

[aveatry]

I think the exact correct oil may be just as important. Total Quartz have a range of 0w30and 5w30 but in slightly differing variations for each car.

 

[aveatry]

I am afraid its just another example of the con that is eco bolax

Originally, the wet belt aimed to solve a simple issue. Car manufacturers needed to decrease overall emissions from cars and installing a wet belt was one of the cheapest and easiest ways to do this. The wet belt offered 30% reductions to friction loss and would reduce emissions, increasing fuel economy by just over 1%.

So now these belts have to have more frequent oil changes. Also not sure about ford but some cars have eco piston rings with less friction that then start to wear and burn oil after only 40k

 

[evdamadiynot]

Oil doesnt just lubricate - it absorbs waste deposits,sludge,soot and chemicals.
That sort of crap is what you do not need on a Cambelt
Even more so in modern closed circuit engines.
Clean oil resets the clock
Exact correct oil is without question.

 

[DIYspanner]

I'll get an oil change done this week.

Thanks All!

 

[Murdochcat]

My understanding is that wet belts are prone to snapping - resulting in a new engine being required.

 

[Avocet]

My understanding is that wet belts are prone to snapping - resulting in a new engine being required.

They do have a reputation for that - particularly on the diesels. We do a lot of business with Ford at work, and I've spoken to an insider there. He did say the exact specification of oil is absolutely essential. They spent £millions getting that right. Obviously, respect the required oil change intervals too - including the handbook recommendations about "arduous service" conditions needing more frequent changes. This seems to be the root of the problem. frequent cold starts and (in the case of diesels) DPF "active" regenerations. The belt material is resistant to the oil in the engine. (It's not like Ford didn't think of that one)! However, they are attacked by any fuel that gets past the piston rings and into the oil. So engines that do lots of cold starts and short runs are susceptible, as are diesels that do a lot of regenerations where extra fuel is injected into the cylinders to get the exhaust gas temperatures up.

 

[Avocet]

I am afraid its just another example of the con that is eco bolax

Originally, the wet belt aimed to solve a simple issue. Car manufacturers needed to decrease overall emissions from cars and installing a wet belt was one of the cheapest and easiest ways to do this. The wet belt offered 30% reductions to friction loss and would reduce emissions, increasing fuel economy by just over 1%.

So now these belts have to have more frequent oil changes. Also not sure about ford but some cars have eco piston rings with less friction that then start to wear and burn oil after only 40k

I think what it really shows, is just how near the end of the road the ICE is. They've had all the "big wins" years ago, and now they're so desperate for further CO2 reductions that these are the lengths they're going to, for just a 1% reduction in CO2. Time to give up and go electric, methinks...

 

[Fred Blogs]

My understanding is that wet belts are prone to snapping - resulting in a new engine being required.

It's not just that the belt snaps although it can do that. Because the belt is running in oil and the belt is made from oil derivatives. the belt starts to degrade and bits come off it. These fibres clog the oil pick up filter and prevent the oil from circulating which will result in a seized engine. Without a full check of the engine which would require a sump drop and a thorough inspection of the oil pickup filter a simple oil change would have no effect if the belt degradation had already started. These flawed engines are used in engines across the board. All vehicle manufacturers should bite the bullet and recall them all. There is a chain "upgrade" available apparently but it is a difficult job beyond a DIYer and it is expensive and IMO that should be left to the manufacturers.

 

[ReganAndCarter]

Wet belts and 30,000 mile oil changes. Almost makes you think Ford are hoping to sell lots more parts or even whole engines. Lots of brake vacuum pumps seem to be getting replaced unless owners are scrupulous about oil changes.

Anything with 'eco' involved is usually an expensive ball ache for the owner with no benefits for them. Benefits to the environment are often debatable too.

 

[aveatry]

Citroen Peugeot have been replacing the belts free of charge in certain circumstances with a recall. On the 1.2 puretec engine you can see half of the width of the belt through the filler cap hole. The test to check if it is breaking down is they poke in a little lower case "h" tool and if it fits over its ok if it doesn’t fit then the belt has swelled and they will replace it FOC.
But the requirements were that it had to be under 6 years old for it too be done under a free recall.
The old normal belt change was 100k or 12 years but they reduced that to 6 years when the issue surfaced.
But now they are actually refunding all those people who ended up having to pay because their cars were over 6 years old.
There are rummers of a chain conversion kit.
The new belt although still rubber looks smooth compared to the OEM which is like a rubber coated weave.
The recall was because the brakes run off a vacuum pump connected to the oil pressure and the degrading bits clog the oil strainer leading to no brakes.

 

[aveatry]

I'll get an oil change done this week.

Thanks All!

I think the big oil companies are developing oils that mitigate the damage. Total have a range of 5w 30 but on reading the spec there is a different one fr different cars - any old 5w 30 wont be a good idea.

 

[aveatry]

This seems to be the root of the problem. frequent cold starts and (in the case of diesels) DPF "active" regenerations. The belt material is resistant to the oil in the engine. (It's not like Ford didn't think of that one)! However, they are attacked by any fuel that gets past the piston rings and into the oil. So engines that do lots of cold starts and short runs are susceptible,

Yes that has been mentioned with the citeron Peugeot stilantis makes. But people brought the petrol over the diesel versions for the very reason that they only do short runs from cold.