Condition check
Wet belt inspection
Price on request
- Engine identified from your registration
- Oil checked for belt debris
- Belt condition checked where the engine allows
- Honest advice on when it needs replacing
Wet belt service · Wimborne, Dorset
Ford EcoBoost, Transit EcoBlue and PureTech engines run their timing belt in oil. We check it, replace it and clean up after it before it costs you an engine.
Belt-in-oil engines
Some modern engines run their timing belt inside the engine, in the oil, instead of behind a dry cover. These "wet belts" are quieter and more efficient, but they depend on the right oil and still wear out. When they do, they can shed debris into the oil and block the engine's oil supply, or slip and damage the engine.
Langs Automotive inspects and replaces wet belts at our workshop at Three Legged Cross, near Wimborne. We work on Ford's 1.0 and 1.5 EcoBoost petrol engines, the 2.0 EcoBlue diesel in the Transit, and the 1.0 and 1.2 PureTech petrol engines used by Peugeot, Citroën, DS and Vauxhall.
Not every car has one. Plenty of engines use a conventional dry cambelt, including the 1.0 and 1.5 TSI and TFSI petrol engines in Volkswagens and Audis, and many others use a timing chain. Give us your registration and we'll tell you exactly what your engine has and when it's due.
A wet belt problem often shows up first as an oil pressure warning, which our vehicle diagnostics can pick up early. If you run a Transit, we can do the belt alongside your van servicing.
Wet belt prices
Condition check
Price on request
1.0 & 1.5 EcoBoost petrol
Price on request
Peugeot, Citroën, DS & Vauxhall
Price on request
Transit 2.0 EcoBlue vans
From £999*
*Prices vary with the engine and the parts needed; specific oil grades can add to the cost. Call 01202 283359 with your registration for an exact price.
How it works
Replacing a wet belt is only half the job. If the old belt has started to break up, the debris has to come out too.
Give us your registration and we'll confirm which engine your car has and whether it uses a wet belt, a dry cambelt or a timing chain. Many models were sold with all three, so the badge alone doesn't tell you.
We check the oil for the black flecks of a breaking-down belt, read any stored fault codes and check the belt condition wherever the engine design allows.
If it's due, we fit a new belt and tensioner using the correct timing tools. Where debris has got into the sump, the oil pick-up strainer is cleaned or replaced, because a new belt won't help if the oil supply is still blocked.
The engine is refilled with oil to the manufacturer's exact specification and a new filter, then run and checked with diagnostic equipment before it goes back to you.
Signs you need it
A wet belt usually gives some warning before it fails. If you notice any of these on an EcoBoost, EcoBlue or PureTech engine, call us.
As a wet belt wears, it sheds fragments into the oil. These collect on the oil pump pick-up strainer and can starve the engine of oil. An oil pressure warning on a wet belt engine needs looking at straight away.
Small black or rubbery particles on the dipstick, under the oil filler cap or in drained oil are a sign the belt is breaking down. We check for this on every wet belt engine we service.
A worn or stretched belt can upset the camshaft timing, bringing on the engine management light, timing-related fault codes, rough running or loss of power.
On some 1.2 PureTech engines, belt debris has been linked to a loss of brake servo assistance, felt as a hard brake pedal. Stop driving and have it checked.
Wet belts are designed around a specific oil. The wrong grade, long gaps between oil changes or fuel getting into the oil all shorten the belt's life. If the history is patchy, have the belt checked.
Replacement intervals vary between engines and some have been revised by the manufacturers. If you don't know when the belt was last done, an inspection is cheap insurance against major engine damage.
Which engines
Some models were sold with a mix of wet belt, dry belt and chain engines, and some of the newest PureTech engines use a timing chain instead. Call us with your registration and we'll check yours. Volkswagen and Audi TSI and TFSI engines use a dry cambelt, which we replace as part of our Volkswagen and Audi servicing.
Book your wet belt service
Protect your engine and avoid a far bigger bill by having the wet belt checked before it fails. Our workshop is on Woolsbridge Industrial Estate at Three Legged Cross, an easy run from Wimborne, Ferndown, Verwood, Ringwood, Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch, Salisbury and the New Forest.
Tell us what you need using the form and we'll call or text to agree a time. Prefer to talk? Call 01202 283359.
A wet belt is a timing belt that runs inside the engine, bathed in oil, rather than behind a dry cover like a traditional cambelt. It drives the camshafts and is quieter and more efficient, but it relies on the right oil and still needs replacing. As it wears it can shed debris into the oil.
Not every car does. The best known are Ford's 1.0 and 1.5 EcoBoost petrol engines, Ford's 2.0 EcoBlue diesel in Transit vans, and the 1.2 PureTech petrol engine in Peugeot, Citroën, DS and newer Vauxhall models. Call us with your registration and we'll tell you for certain.
No. The 1.0 and 1.5 TSI and TFSI petrol engines use a conventional dry cambelt, and other VW Group engines use dry belts or timing chains. They still need replacing on schedule: see our Volkswagen servicing and Audi servicing.
The camshafts. On some engines, such as Ford's, a second smaller belt in the oil drives the oil pump. The water pump, alternator and air conditioning compressor are normally driven by the separate auxiliary belt on the outside of the engine.
It depends on the engine, its age and how it has been looked after, and some manufacturers have shortened their original intervals. Check your handbook, or give us your registration and we'll advise on the right time for your car.
Debris from a worn belt can block the oil supply and starve the engine of oil, and a belt that breaks or jumps can cause serious engine damage. Replacing it on time costs far less than a replacement engine.
Yes. We replace wet belts on Ford Transit vans with the 2.0 EcoBlue diesel, from £999 together with a full service. See our commercial vehicle servicing for more.
We use OEM or high-quality aftermarket belts and components, and refill with oil to the exact specification the manufacturer lists for your engine, which matters more on a wet belt engine than almost any other.
As a nervous user of garages (due to past poor experiences), I was pleasantly surprised about the high level of service Rob Lang provided with our Mk6 Golf GTD, which wouldn't start, and was marooned on our driveway. He had it recovered to his premises within hours, and his technician diagnosed and solved several electrical problems, plus he gave it a full service and MOT (and valet). It now drives like when it was new and so will be reprieved. Rob then delivered the car to our house because we couldn't collect it for several days more. We can't thank him enough. His prices are fair and much better than a main dealer I suspect (and very importantly he kept us in the loop).
What a breath of fresh air! Having a problem with Audi RS6 suspension and when I called Rob Lang he booked me in same day to investigate. They identified the problem and also gave the car a good general inspection while it was up on the lift. Super friendly, very knowledgeable and I will be happy to get future routine servicing done by Langs from now on.
Amazing service, from start to finish the team were professional and explained everything. The knowledge and speed were second to none. Our car was fixed, serviced and unexpectedly cleaned within the timeframe quoted. They are not local to me but happy to travel for an excellent experience.
Having just purchased an Iveco Daily van that had a few issues that needed to be rectified, I used an Iveco dealership who surprisingly did not completely fix the problems. I met Rob and his team of experienced engineers and was extremely impressed by their knowledge and expertise. They identified the cause of all the outstanding problems. This is a company who know what they are doing, and their customer service skills are top-notch.
Got my car fully serviced yesterday, and was pleased with the thorough detail and information the team gave me. Nice office, clean unit and overall welcoming experience.
You cannot possibly go wrong by fully relying on their advice and guidance, with work that is second to none. Rob is knowledgeable and kind, with this pervading through all the staff. I was in a really tight spot with poor workmanship from another company; this was sorted out quickly and efficiently and everything made perfect. I cannot rate this company highly enough.
Fantastic team, top quality work at a great price - would definitely recommend.
I was recommended Langs and so glad they did. Amazing service where staff take the time to explain the work carried out. I highly recommend. Thank you Langs for a great experience.
Thanks so much for repairing my car Rob. Always first class service and know my car is in the best hands with you and the team there - would highly recommend.
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