The fleets warned about the wet synchronization belts "criminal engine"

The fleet operators are warned of a potential reliability problem that affects many cars and vehicles produced from 2012 and could lead to engine failure.

The use of “wet belts” has been introduced by some manufacturers to reduce emissions and increase efficiency, but the longevity of these coins has been overestimated.

Citroen, Ford, Honda, Peugeot and Toyota are among the brands that have mounted wet synchronization belts in some of their cars.

Because the rubber belt is in constant contact with the oil, it can cause the belt to degrade faster, especially if the wrong type of oil is used. As a result, it is possible not to last as long as the manufacturer’s manual states that it should.

Wet synchronization belts can also cause another form of engine failure: one that is unique for this type of belt. As the wet belt gradually raises wear over time, small particles come out of the belt and are lifted by oil. Because the belt and the oil bathroom are inside the engine, they are then circulated throughout the rest of the engine system. This can block or damage the crucial parts of the engine and cause blockages in the system that prevents motor oil circulation, both will lead to engine failure.

Mark Barclay, the head of electronic trade at My Motor World, said: “Without regular inspections and proper maintenance, wet synchronization belts can be an engine criminal. To avoid expensive repairs, car owners with this type of belt must be on it with their maintenance program. often to avoid spiral costs.

“If you have a wet distribution belt, my advice would be to get periodic inspections at a garage to be familiar with them, replace the belt at the first sign of damage and maintain the engine oil as clean as possible. And use only the exact type of oil that the manufacturer recommends.

“It is hard to imagine what the engineers thought when they introduced this feature, considering how unpopular it has become. But, just show that rigorous testing machines suffer cannot take any type of failure.”

Affected models:

Ford: EcoBoost and EcoBlue vehicles, including Fiesta, Puma, Ecosport, C-Max, Focus, Transit, Connect and B-Max.

Peugeot: 208, 2008, 308, 3008, 5008, partner.

Citroen: Berlingo, C3, C4, C5 Aircross.

Toyota: Aygo and Proace.

Vauxhall: Puretech engines, including certain Corsa, Astra, Granland, Crossland and Combo models

Honda: civic 1.0 liters turbo

After numerous engine faults, Ford was forced to review the distribution belt change range For some of his diesel engines. The service range for the distribution belt, the tensioner and idlers were reduced to six years or 160,000 km (100,000 miles), from 10 years or 240,000 km (150,000 miles). This applies to all transit and transit vehicles, Van and Tourneo, equipped with a 2.0 -liter EcoBlue Diesel engine.

For the EcoBoost gasoline engine, Ford has offered a goodwill for vehicles up to seven years and with a complete service history. Problems have been highlighted in a BBC guard investigation. In the US, the car manufacturer has issued a recall for some models equipped with the EcoBoost petrol engine for faults related to the distribution belt and is subjected to a class with class action.

Stelantis also took measures to address the problems of the wet distribution belt. It extended the guarantee for all Puretech engines 1.0 and 1.2 oil, covering 100% of costs for up to 10 years or 108,000 miles, under certain conditions. In 2023, Stelantis updated the engine to use a synchronization chain instead of a belt.

He also opened a compensation platform for the owners of vehicles that were confronted with repair expenses with these engines due to the excessive consumption of oil and/or premature degradation of the distribution belt between January 1, 2022 and March 18, 2024. The platform can be accessed here.