Wet Belt Failures in Ford Transits
Date Published
Why It Happens and What You Can Do
If you own a Ford Transit or Transit Custom with a 2.0 EcoBlue diesel engine. Then there’s one thing you need to know about, wet belt failure.
It’s a common issue, especially in vans from 2016 onwards. Repairs are expensive, failure can be catastrophic, and even low-mileage vans aren’t safe.
Here at Broken Ford Vans, we want to be transparent, so here we go. What is a wet belt, why does it fail, and what should you do if it’s already happened?
What is a Wet Belt?
A wet belt is a timing belt that runs inside the engine, submerged in oil. It’s designed to be quieter and more efficient than a traditional dry belt or chain. Ford started using this setup in the EcoBlue diesel engines. These are found in many Transits, Transit Customs and Connects.
In theory, it should last up to 150,000 miles. In practice, many owners are seeing failures well before 100,000 miles. Some even under 60,000.
Why Do Wet Belts Fail?
There are a few reasons wet belts come apart earlier than expected.
1. Oil contamination
Poor servicing, the wrong type of oil, or extended service intervals can cause the belt to degrade. As it breaks down, rubber particles mix with the oil, creating sludge that blocks oil pickups and damages engine components.
2. Heat and friction
The belt constantly runs under load in hot oil. Over time, the material can soften, stretch, and delaminate.
3. Misleading service schedules
Some drivers follow extended oil change intervals set by Ford, unaware these intervals might be too long to protect the belt. Missing just one change can shave years off its life.
4. Poor oil quality
Cheap or incorrect oil will break down faster, accelerating belt wear.
Once the belt starts to degrade, it’s only a matter of time before it fails entirely. When it does, the damage is usually severe.
What Happens When It Fails?
A failed wet belt often leads to complete engine failure. The camshaft and crankshaft lose timing, pistons and valves clash, and in many cases, the engine is destroyed.
Warning signs include:
- Engine misfires or rough running
- Oil pressure warning light
- Sludge in the oil or filter
- Rattling from the engine
- Sudden loss of power
In some cases, there are no clear signs at all. The van just cuts out, and it’s game over.
What Can You Do?
If your van has failed due to wet belt issues, you don’t have to scrap it. You can sell it to a specialist like Broken Ford Vans.
We buy Transits, Customs and Connects with all sorts of engine issues. Including wet belt failure. We pay good money for broken vans because we know the value in the parts, even if the engine’s gone.
We’ll give you a fair quote, collect the van from anywhere in the UK, and pay you the same day. No towing costs. No hassle. No nonsense.
Why You’ll Still Get Good Money
Even if your van won’t start, there’s value in the shell, the gearbox, the electrics, and plenty of other components. A general scrap yard won’t consider that. We will.
Our buyers assess each van properly, and we know the Ford platform inside out. That means we can often pay hundreds more than a breaker or scrap dealer.