Skip to content

The job, explained

What a wet belt change involves

Done properly, a wet belt change is far more than swapping a belt. These are the steps we follow on every job, and why the ones a cheap quote skips are the ones that protect your engine.

Get my free quote 0161 399 3217
  1. 01

    Check the vehicle and confirm the engine

    We check your registration, mileage and history, confirm exactly which engine you have and look for warning signs such as fault codes or debris in the oil.

  2. 02

    Drain the oil and open up the engine

    Because the belt runs in oil, the old oil comes out first. Then the covers come off to reach the belt, which is a far bigger job than a conventional cambelt behind an external cover.

  3. 03

    Lock the timing and remove the old belt

    The engine is locked at its timing marks with the correct manufacturer tools. The old belt comes off, along with the separate oil pump belt where one is fitted.

  4. 04

    Remove the sump and clean out the debris

    The sump comes off and the oil pickup strainer is removed and cleaned, so no old rubber is left to block the new oil supply. On PureTech engines we also check the brake vacuum pump strainer.

  5. 05

    Fit the new belt kit, tensioner and seals

    A genuine or OE-equivalent belt kit goes in with a new tensioner and guides, set to the manufacturer’s tension. New seals, gaskets and stretch bolts are fitted where specified.

  6. 06

    Let the sealant cure and refill

    Covers and sump go back on with fresh sealant, given time to cure properly before the engine is run. Then fresh oil to the correct specification and a new filter go in.

  7. 07

    Re-check timing, test and hand back

    Timing is checked again, the engine is run and checked for leaks and fault codes, and the vehicle is road tested. You get photos of the old belt and a written record for your service history.

Why it takes 2 days, not a couple of hours

A conventional cambelt can often be changed in a morning. A wet belt cannot be done properly that quickly. The engine has to be opened, the sump removed and the oil pickup cleaned, and the sealants used on the covers need time to cure before the engine is run. Rushing any of those steps is how wet belt jobs come back.

A wet belt change is only as good as the person doing it

Skip the tensioner, use the wrong oil or miss the debris check and the new belt can fail anyway, and a failed wet belt usually means a £3,000 to £5,000 engine. That is why we do every step on every job, and photograph the old belt so you can see what came out.

How often it needs doing

From around six years on PureTech engines to ten years on the Ford EcoBlue diesels, or by mileage, whichever comes first. See the interval for every engine or check your car.

FAQ

Wet belt change questions

How long does a wet belt change take?
Most vehicles are with us for around 2 working days. Much of that is cleaning the oil system properly and giving sealants time to cure, which is what makes the job last.

Is a wet belt change the same as a cambelt change?
No. A conventional cambelt sits outside the engine behind a cover. A wet belt runs inside the engine in oil, so the engine has to be opened up and the oil system cleaned. It is a longer, more involved job.

Will I get my old belt back?
You will get photos of it, and you are welcome to have the belt itself if you would like to see it.

What oil do you use?
The exact specification your manufacturer requires for your engine. On wet belt engines the wrong oil is one of the fastest ways to damage the belt.

Free quote

Request your free wet belt quote

It takes under a minute. Tell us about your car and we’ll come back with a fixed, all-inclusive price, usually on the same working day.

  • Prefer to talk?

    Call 0161 399 3217

  • Opening hours

    Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm

  • Our workshop

    City Course Trading Estate, Unit 5 Whitworth St, Openshaw, Manchester

What happens next

  1. 1 We check your registration and confirm the engine.
  2. 2 You get a fixed price, normally the same working day.
  3. 3 Pick a date that suits you. Your vehicle is back in around 2 days.

No obligation. We only use your details to respond to your enquiry. See our privacy policy.

Get a free quote

Step 1 of 2

Tell us about your vehicle

Your vehicle
UK

What’s prompting this? (optional)