A car mechanic has revealed the one “unfixable” problem found on petrol and diesel vehicles built after 2017 in a potential blow to owners. Dave Harrison, spokesperson for 911 Auto Repairs in Sheffield, stressed that wet belts could become the “next big scandal” with road users across the country likely to be at risk.
Wet belts are a type of timing belt which are completely lubricated by the car’s engine oil, compared to being exposed to air. The oil will usually help to reduce friction between the belt and should lead to a more efficient engine. However, encasing the belt underneath the oil can be challenging for mechanics, while exposure to engine oil, heat, and contaminants like soot can also degrade the material.
The expert explained wet belts became more popular in cars built after 2017 while they admit mechanics tend to roll their eyes when another enters the garage with issues.
Dave said: “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. 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 that makes your eyes roll when you see it – oh god, it’s got a wet belt. They say it’s better but it ends up costing double to fix or it’s unfixable and makes the car basically worthless.”
According to the RAC, timing belts will likely need replacing once every 50,000 to 100,000 miles. With the UK average mileage around 7,400 per year, those who purchased their model seven or eight years ago are now closing in on the threshold.
Meanwhile, some carmakers recommend replacing the part around once every 5 to 10 years. However, the RAC explains that the exact interval between timing belt changes will vary based on the make and model.
The RAC added: “When a timing belt breaks, the engine will immediately stop and the steering may start to feel heavy. The brake pedal may also become more difficult to use, with more pressure required to press it down.”
