Timing & Wet Belts in Sheffield

A lot of modern small engines, most famously the Citroën, Peugeot and Vauxhall 1.2 PureTech and Ford’s 1.0 EcoBoost, run the timing belt inside the engine, in the oil. These “wet belts” can break down from the inside. Bits of rubber end up in the oil, block the pickup and starve the engine, and by then the damage goes well beyond the belt.

Two things really matter with these engines. The belt needs changing on time, often earlier than the original handbook said, because manufacturers have shortened the intervals. And the oil spec has to be exactly right at every service. We do both. The 1.2 PureTech is the engine we know inside out, at a fixed £900 including an oil service. We now take on the Ford 1.0 EcoBoost as well, from £950 — Ford used several different arrangements, so we confirm the exact figure on your registration before you commit. If you’re not sure where your engine stands, ask us to check before it decides for you.

• The full kit. Belt, tensioners and idlers, never just the belt.
• The water pump replaced where it’s belt-driven. It’s a few minutes of extra labour now, against paying for the whole job again when the pump goes. We’ll always quote it and explain.
• The correct spec of oil and coolant on refill.
• Genuine OEM or quality branded kits, with a 12-month manufacturer warranty on parts (varies a bit by part and supplier).

Intervals vary a lot. Anywhere from 60,000 to 120,000 miles, and usually 5 to 10 years whatever the mileage, because rubber ages even if the car mostly sits still. Ring us with your reg and mileage on 0114 698 1430 and we’ll look up the schedule and give you a price.