Hi everyone, I’m going to buy this car :

ford focus 1.8 tdci DA3KKDA1G5KABMZ (2009)

How to know if there is a wet belt or chain on this engine ? 
 

 

I’m sure 2009 will be belt. My understanding is that to tell you need to withdraw the tensioner and the shape of the end will tell you. I can’t remember what shape is which but It’s on this forum somewhere

 

is a wet belt

No.

 

I’m sure 2009 will be belt.

Yes.

This is the VIN, if someone can check for me please : WF0GXXGCDG9J41773

Belt + Wet belt or Belt + Chain ? 
 

I live in France so maybe it’s specific to here.

I’m not sure what unofix is saying. This car will have a wet belt from crank to high pressure diesel pump plus a dry belt from pump to camshaft. I love this engine, it really goes but noise and vibration is more than the other size diesels because it is a much older design generation of engine. 1.8tdci does not have a dpf (at least not in uk)so you won’t have dpf problems.   I have not checked the vin. Some people replace wet belt with chain. So you can’t be sure without checking tensioner

Sorry Isetta for the confusion, I thought the O/P was only talking about the camshaft belt (dry).

Ok thanks.

What about 1.6 ti-vct 2008 engine ? It’s a timing belt or chain ? 

On 11/11/2021 at 4:14 PM, Adeel said:

Hi everyone, I’m going to buy this car :

ford focus 1.8 tdci DA3KKDA1G5KABMZ (2009)

So you have now bought your new car 👍

44 minutes ago, Adeel said:

What about 1.6 ti-vct 2008 engine ?

Why do you need to know its not whats fitted in your new car ? 🤣

Sorry my english is not very good. 

I was going to buy the car, but the wet belt replacement is quite expensive in France... So I cancelled my purchase.

I'm also looking an 1.6 TI-VCT Ford Focus, but the seller told me there is not timing belt but a chain. I'm looking for this information. 

1.6 TI-VCT is a timing belt and not a chain.

Most engines these days use timing belts (dry), and nearly all are very reliable provided they are changed in accordance with the recommended service schedule.

Only the 1.0 Ecoboost engine with the Wet Belt is known to have problems especially when incorrect oil is used or when service schedules are missed.

The oil pump belt on the ford focus 1.8 tdci (2009) is not known to be a problem and the timing belt (dry) is also reliable.

The wetbelt of the 1.8 TDCI is installed between the crankshaft and the high pressure fuel pump. The regular timing belt is installed between the high pressure fuel pump and the camshaft. In this setup the wetbelt is quite stressed. Wetbelt failure immediately results in serious engine damage.

Wetbelt failure of the 1.8 TDCI is quite common. Especially on vehicles that are often used for short trips which causes the oil to be dilluted with diesel fuel. The diesel fuel inside the engine oil affects the material of the wetbelt. On vehicles with a DPF (Mondeo MK4, Transit Connect MK1) wetbelt failure is even more common because the regeneration process.

To be honest the problems of the 1.0 ECOboost wetbelts are usually caused by neglect and not respecting the service requirements. Many engines failed after lockdown. People seem to have forgotten that driving short distances and irregular use requires reduced service interval.

When properly maintained the wetbelts of both the 1.8 TDCI and the 1.0 ECOboost should easily last the replacement interval.

These days many manufacturers use flimsy timing chains. Since a timing chain setup is cheaper to produce than a timing belt or wetbelt setup the main reason will be cutting costs. Modern timing chain engines are no longer bullet proof like they used to be. 

Hi all,

This is a photo of my 2008 Focus Estate 1.8 TDCI timing belt / chain tensioner. Is it a chain or belt? (photo attached)

I read that to be sure I need to take the tensioner out and see if it has a flat tip (belt) or domed tip (chain). Do I need to take any special precautions doing this? Like removing parts to get the tensioner out. Or can I just take it out without worrying and replace it (with correct torque (68 Nm?)

Any wise counsel out there?

Trying again with this one, before starting a thread:

This is a photo of my 2008 Focus Estate 1.8 TDCI timing belt / chain tensioner. Is it a chain or belt? (photo attached). Being black points to a chain, but 2008 makes me doubtful (unless it was one of the last chains out).  Guess I need to take the tensioner out and see if it has a flat tip (belt) or domed tip (chain). Do I need to take any special precautions doing this? Like removing parts to get the tensioner out. Can I just take it out and replace it (with correct torque (68 Nm?) 

Thanks.