Mechanic issues warning over ‘unfixable’ problem | Tech News

A high mechanic has warned drivers to keep away from any used model fitted with a sure sort of engine that might include a big fault that might price an eye-watering quantity to put proper. The used car market is presently experiencing a increase, with demand inflicting the standard price of a three-year-old model rising by 0.4%.

Whilst many drivers wish to get behind the wheel of a cut price, Dave Harrison from 911 Auto Repairs in Sheffield advised that used car patrons ought to keep away from fashions with a moist belt engine. He warned: “The next big scandal – wet belts. They replaced timing belts with wet belts on a lot of models after 2017, supposedly they’re more efficient. But the wet belt is a big problem because it only has a 10-year interval and then it breaks. It deteriorates and it can stop your brakes working. But if it breaks after nine years, they don’t want to know.”

An concept first launched in 2008, a moist belt engine options a timing belt that’s situated within the sump, working within the oil.

Whilst moist belt engines are typically more compact and quieter when in comparison with alternate options, some drivers have discovered that the oil causes the rubber belt to wear down at a sooner fee.

In specific, components of the rubber can flake off from the belt, rising the possibilities of it snapping and inflicting the camshaft and crankshaft to exit of sync. The rubber particles might additionally clog up the oil pickup strainer, leading to engine elements being insufficiently lubricated.

Various producers have fitted moist belt engines to their automobiles over the years, with the Ford 1.0-litre EcoBoost arguably being one of the preferred within the UK – being fitted to fashions just like the Fiesta, Focus, and EcoSport since 2012, nonetheless it was improved in 2019.

Drivers seeking to keep away from automobiles with a moist belt engine must also suppose twice earlier than shopping for a Peugeot, Citroen, or Vauxhall fitted with the 1.2 PureTech between 2012 and 2023, which additionally had the problematic engine design.

Nevertheless, when shopping for any new or used car, drivers ought to keep in thoughts that a dry timing belt will nonetheless need to be maintained, with producers recommending they’re modified at 10-year intervals.

Dave warned that it’s notably tough to restore an engine with a broken timing belt, notably whether it is sealed within the engine – in the end leading to house owners paying more money.

He continued: “And when it does [break], it’s very difficult to fix. It takes twice as long as a normal belt to fix and it costs more to replace.

“That’s one which makes your eyes roll while you see it – oh god, it’s obtained a moist belt. They say it is higher nevertheless it ends up costing double to repair or it is unfixable and makes the car principally nugatory.”