Wet Belts – Orpington and Dartford

Some manufacturers use wet belts, which are similar to cambelts, but operate internally and use engine oil in the same way that chains do.

Wet belts have their name because, unlike cambelts, they are kept wet by oil. In theory, this means that they are less likely to crack and deteriorate like the dry cambelts. However, as many owners of wet belt engine cars know from the historic premature failure issues, this is not always the case.

What causes a wet belt or timing belt to fail?

There are two main reasons for wet belt or timing belt failure:

1. The belt can occasionally snap (just as a cambelt might) – this can do serious damage to the engine.
2. The belt can deteriorate over time and fragments can break off, contaminating the surrounding oil. This then blocks the oil strainer, which means that other vital components don’t receive the lubrication they need. This can lead to the oil-starved components failing and ultimately, can lead to complete engine failure.

With regular maintenance, including oil and filter changes, any issues with wet belts can be caught before they have a chance to cause any damage. If you see an engine warning light come on in the dash, get in touch with our team at Orpington Motorworks straight away so that we can assess and sort the situation.

At Orpington Motorworks, we are proud members of the RMI and IMI, giving our customers old and new peace of mind and trust in the services we provide.

To find out more about Wet Belts in Orpington and Dartford, contact us online or call us directly on 01689 671288

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