1.0L Focus oil choice

[Bailes1992]

If true that’s a hecka bad design to rely on a specific ingredient to prevent failure.

Agreed. This is all quite speculative of me, I'm just going by what I've seen looking around the internet. It's a bad design altogether. I remember when Ford released these engines they were very excitedly showing everyone these wet-belts and saying they were 'fit for the life of the engine'. I guess a few million people driving around with these belts is a far better test than anything they can do during development!

 

[Jetronic]

If true that’s a hecka bad design to rely on a specific ingredient to prevent failure.

Might not be very specific. Could be as simple as what is used in high mileage oils to keep seals pliable. And almost no-one would use high mileage oils in a new-ish engine.

 

[Jetronic]

Nothing. Other than a lot of people on Facebook groups along with lots of garages videoing the timing belt changes on Facebook/Instagram showing these issues.

Interestingly, the 2.0 Ecoblue engine used in the Transit also has a wet belt. Those fitted in FWD applications always seem to have worse-off looking belts than those in RWD Transits. The RWD Transits run a viscous fan setup and I wonder if the constant airflow to the timing belt area results in a cooler belt?

Wouldn't those also have increased sump sizes and less short cycle use? Delivery vans run 8 hours a day minimum it seems.

 

[Jetronic]

Agreed. This is all quite speculative of me, I'm just going by what I've seen looking around the internet. It's a bad design altogether. I remember when Ford released these engines they were very excitedly showing everyone these wet-belts and saying they were 'fit for the life of the engine'. I guess a few million people driving around with these belts is a far better test than anything they can do during development!

The Stellantis puretech engines have similar issues with their wet belts. I don't know if they are exactly the same though and also heard it doesn't happen on the recommended oil. Which is a Total product, but not sure which one.

 

[kschachn]

Might not be very specific. Could be as simple as what is used in high mileage oils to keep seals pliable. And almost no-one would use high mileage oils in a new-ish engine.

Well, like I said.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Here is the scheduled maintenance chart for the 1.0 liter. The belt is supposed to last at least 150,000 miles which is " for the life of the engine" as far as am concerned.

 

[Bailes1992]

Here is the scheduled maintenance chart for the 1.0 liter. The belt is supposed to last at least 150,000 miles which is " for the life of the engine" as far as am concerned.

View attachment 239992

I think that interval was brought in after the engine had been released for a little while. I’m sure at first there was no interval for the wet belt.

Honestly if they lasted for 10 years and 150k then I don’t think it would be a big deal at all. And from what I’ve seen, if you use the correct oil at the correct intervals it absolutely will. But the majority of owners neglect these engines and wind up with scrap engines after half that interval.

 

[YZJB]

Nothing. Other than a lot of people on Facebook groups along with lots of garages videoing the timing belt changes on Facebook/Instagram showing these issues.

Interestingly, the 2.0 Ecoblue engine used in the Transit also has a wet belt. Those fitted in FWD applications always seem to have worse-off looking belts than those in RWD Transits. The RWD Transits run a viscous fan setup and I wonder if the constant airflow to the timing belt area results in a cooler belt?

The Ranger also uses the 2.0L EcoBlue and seems to have almost no wet belt issues. I think the airflow from the fan plus the reduced service intervals of the Ranger really help. The Transits have 30k km intervals, the Rangers have 15k km.

 

[YZJB]

You need the Ford spec WSS-M2C948-B 5w20 not just any 5w20. Most wet belt failures are due to incorrect oil being used.

False. In Australia, the 1.0L specs 5W-30 WSS-M2C913-D and we have very few wet belt failures over here. The 2.0L EcoBlue diesel also specs the same 913-D or, depending on year, 950-A 0W-30 C2. Again, very few wet belt failures in those over here, at least in Ranger (Transit FWD is another story).

The 1.5L Dragon EcoBoost has a wet oil pump belt and specs 948-B 5W-20, the 2.7/3.0L Nano EcoBoost, 5.0L Coyote V8 all have wet oil pump belts now, and they all spec 961-A1 which is an API/ILSAC/D1 5W-30. And the belts are happy with that. They really aren’t that picky about oil, but they certainly degrade when that oil is diluted with fuel…

 

[YZJB]

The main cause of wet belt failure is oil dilution (with fuel). The oil spec is nearly insignificant, so long as it’s approximately suitable for the engine. But get fuel in the oil and keep it in there for too long? Belt doesn’t like it.

Choose a good oil, change it every 6 months max. and you’ll be fine.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Here’s a shot of what the wet belt looks like on a 2.0 in a transit. Enjoy.

 

[Snagglefoot]

This is from a 2017 Focus owners manual for a 1.0 liter Ecoboost. Read the line near the bottom. They mention other API oils are also acceptable.

 

[dnewton3]

There are plenty of examples on the 'net of folks who've suffered wet-belt failures after using ONLY Ford dealer serviced OCIs. Meaning that the "approved oil" really doesn't avoid a failure of the belt. Whether the failure is more or less prone than some other oil add-pack is up for debate. But the "specified" oil isn't an assurance that belts won't fail; that's just poppycock.

 

[Bailes1992]

There are plenty of examples on the 'net of folks who've suffered wet-belt failures after using ONLY Ford dealer serviced OCIs. Meaning that the "approved oil" really doesn't avoid a failure of the belt. Whether the failure is more or less prone than some other oil add-pack is up for debate. But the "specified" oil isn't an assurance that belts won't fail; that's just poppycock.

Agreed! To confirm, people going to the dealer will get whatever bulk oil meeting the specification that they have in. Or certainly here in the UK, that's the case.

But there is most certainly some kind of correlation between those who deliberately went out of their way to use the Ford branded Castrol oil and the condition of the belt when changed. However, why that is, I have no idea. It's just something that becomes quite obvious when you watch the Ecoboost pages for a while. I believe Ford approached Castrol to develop an oil suitable for the wet belt while they were developing the engine. Are they doing something to their oil that isn't in the specification?

And it seems like the same can be said for PSA Puretech engines and the Total oil.

 

[kschachn]

Agreed! To confirm, people going to the dealer will get whatever bulk oil meeting the specification that they have in. Or certainly here in the UK, that's the case.

But there is most certainly some kind of correlation between those who deliberately went out of their way to use the Ford branded Castrol oil and the condition of the belt when changed. However, why that is, I have no idea. It's just something that becomes quite obvious when you watch the Ecoboost pages for a while. I believe Ford approached Castrol to develop an oil suitable for the wet belt while they were developing the engine. Are they doing something to their oil that isn't in the specification?

And it seems like the same can be said for PSA Puretech engines and the Total oil.

Do you understand how insane that would be for Ford to do so? Especially without stating in the owner's manual that this unicorn oil is the one and only brand that is acceptable to prevent a critical failure. No global manufacturer with intact marbles would do such a thing when producing millions of vehicles.

 

[Bailes1992]

Do you understand how insane that would be for Ford to do so? Especially without stating in the owner's manual that this unicorn oil is the one and only brand that is acceptable to prevent a critical failure. No global manufacturer with intact marbles would do such a thing when producing millions of vehicles.

I don't think it's intentional in any way shape or form. But there appears to be something about the Castrol oil that maintains the wet belt better than another oils meeting the same specification. I see time and time again on groups on Facebook, those who have owned the car from new, using only the Ford branded Castrol oil finding their belt in great condition compared to those who have use other brands of oils.

 

[BrendanC]

Ford’s better ideas…. why can’t we just use a chain. look at honda’s timing chain engines.

 

[Jetronic]

Ford’s better ideas…. why can’t we just use a chain. look at honda’s timing chain engines.

Honda also has, or had, wet belt engines in their line up...

 

[BrendanC]

Honda also has, or had, wet belt engines in their line up...

yes, and look which ones last. all manufacturers know this.

 

[Bailes1992]

Thinking about it, I had a wet belt in my 2008 Ford Mondeo 1.8TDCi too. They were also known for failing prematurely and were specified for WSS-M2C913C oil. I retrofitted mine with the timing chain off the earlier 1.8TDCi.