If you’ve got a Ford Fiesta, Focus, EcoSport or C-Max with the 1.0 EcoBoost engine, you may have heard whispers about the wet belt issue – or maybe your car’s playing up and you’re just finding out about it now.
Either way, don’t worry. You’re not alone, and you’re definitely not the first.
What Is the Ford Wet Belt Problem?
Ford fitted many of their 1.0 EcoBoost engines (from 2012 onwards) with something called a wet timing belt. It’s a rubber belt that runs inside the engine, lubricated by oil.
The oil slowly breaks down the rubber, causing the belt to deteriorate over time—think of it like leaving a biscuit in a cup of tea. Eventually, bits of the belt can start flaking off, which then blocks the oil pick-up pipe, starving the engine of oil.
In worst-case scenarios, the belt snaps completely leading to catastrophic engine failure.
Common Signs of Ford EcoBoost Wet Belt Issues
Watch out for these symptoms, especially if your car is over 5 years old or approaching 60,000 miles:
- A rattling noise when starting the engine
- Warning lights on the dashboard
- The engine losing power or running rough
- Oil pressure warnings
- The car cuts out and won’t restart
If you’re noticing any of these signs, it could be the wet belt breaking down—and you’ll want to get it checked sooner rather than later.
It’s Not a Cheap Fix
Replacing the wet belt is a major job. It is labour-intensive and often involves other components.
If the belt has already failed and caused engine damage, you could be looking at a full engine replacement. Despite being a very common fault caused by an inherent design flaw, Ford has not issued a recall and will not fix any cars out of warranty.
What Can You Do If Your EcoBoost Is Affected?
If your Ford has already broken down or is showing signs of wet belt failure, it’s worth asking: Is it really worth fixing?
That’s where we come in.
At sellyourproblemcar.com, we help people across the UK sell cars with mechanical problems—including broken Fords. We offer:
- Free, no-obligation quote (valid for 28 days)
- Free collection, whether from your home, garage or dealership
- Payment before collection
- No inspections, appointments, or stress
- Excellent Customer Service
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So whether you’re looking to sell your broken Ford Fiesta, a Focus with engine failure, or move on from a problematic EcoSport, we can help.