I have a 2021 Fiesta St Line with only 11k miles.

The pcp ends in June 2024 and I was thinking of keeping the car. However, having read some shocking stories about the wet belt, I'm having 2nd thoughts.

I emailed Ford customer service asking for reassurance. This is their response

"Thank you for your email once again.

Please note that we are not in a position to give any advice on the concern with the wetbelt as we are not technically inclined to do so. As in our first response, we can only encourage that contact be made with a Ford Dealership. We hope this is in order.

Have a great day further.

Kind regards,

Koketso Thipe

5 Fiestas bought and this is the appreciation they show 

I'm now seriously thinking of px the car and getting something Japanese  

What would you do please? 

 Is it Fiesta or Focus? You say Fiesta but have posted in Focus section?

2021 Focus 1.0 will be cam chain so no wet cam belt to worry about. 
 

2021 Fiesta is probably cam chain. Show us a photo of your engine bay.

Lol, I've had similarly "helpful" responses elsewhere, so it's not just Ford!😀

It would have been useful to say exactly which variant we are talking about. 125 and 155 would be chain by 2021, 100 probably wet belt, but posting up a quick pic as Alex suggests will allow us to be sure. 

There is also a relatively short-lived 95 variant which seems to have been chain, from members reports.

As above, I've found customer services to be useless with various vehicle brands...and indeed anything else!  I don't really understand the point of them.  Can't remember the last time I actually had a question answered.  They just seem to refer to their own websites, which we've obviously already read in order to reach the contact page!  

Also makes me cringe when I was told to contact dealerships as they are the 'vehicle specialists'...  Specialists!?  They didn't even know the difference between twist beam and IRS.  

 

 

Back on topic though, even if it is a chain engine, we seem to be seeing more oil pump belts breaking recently.  Especially on the automatic versions with the balance shaft.  If it makes financial sense in your circumstances, I don't think it's a bad thing to be looking elsewhere...

1 hour ago, TomsFocus said:

we seem to be seeing more oil pump belts breaking recently.  

Aaargh!! 

Joking apart, I think a 3 year old with low mileage and proper ongoing maintenance should be good for a few years yet.

All depends on how much you like the car versus any alternatives I suppose. Japanese alternatives to the Fiesta are basically the Toyota Yaris hybrid (and it's Mazda 2 hybrid clone), the regular ICE Mazda 2, the Suzuki Swift and the Honda Jazz which is also hybrid. 

Thank you for posting back guys. 

So sorry I posted in the wrong section /wrong website. 

This is my 5th Fiesta and tbh, I've lost faith in the brand. 

Just want rid of it 

9 minutes ago, Rich650 said:

Just want rid of it 

Sounds like you've made your mind up already then, John!

If you fancy a hybrid I hear good things about the Yaris and the Toyota Owners Club forum (where I have been known to lurk) seems friendly and informative. Dealers often don't get such good ratings, however, so nothing new there!

1 minute ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

Sounds like you've made your mind up already then, John!

If you fancy a hybrid I hear good things about the Yaris and the Toyota Owners Club forum (where I have been known to lurk) seems friendly and informative. Dealers often don't get such good ratings, however, so nothing new there!

I would think they'll be looking at non hybrid or mhev at most, probably needs a manual box for driving instruction.

Although no doubt that will become less common with time. But plenty of new drivers will only afford 10+ year old manual cars still at the moment.

1 minute ago, alexp999 said:

I would think they'll be looking at non hybrid or mhev at most, probably needs a manual box for driving instruction.

I think you've confused two threads there.  No mention of driving instructor in this one.

You do make a good point though.  Wondered why I keep seeing Mk4 Focus's for driving instructors around here...of course they need to be manual for the full manual licence which rules out any proper hybrid.

2 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

I think you've confused two threads there.  No mention of driving instructor in this one.

You do make a good point though.  Wondered why I keep seeing Mk4 Focus's for driving instructors around here...of course they need to be manual for the full manual licence which rules out any proper hybrid.

Yep, certainly did!

5 minutes ago, alexp999 said:

I would think they'll be looking at non hybrid or mhev at most, probably needs a manual box for driving instruction.

?? Didn't spot anything about driving instructor. Interesting point though. Several local driving instructors have already gone EV, automatic instruction is heavily advertised also, and I keep seeing reports like this: https://www.mancunianmatters.co.uk/news/12082022-number-of-uk-drivers-taking-tests-in-automatic-cars-rises-123-in-year/

Looks like we're a rapidly dying breed guys!

Just now, Eric Bloodaxe said:

?? Didn't spot anything about driving instructor. Interesting point though. Several local driving instructors have already gone EV, automatic instruction is heavily advertised also, and I keep seeing reports like this: https://www.mancunianmatters.co.uk/news/12082022-number-of-uk-drivers-taking-tests-in-automatic-cars-rises-123-in-year/

Looks like we're a rapidly dying breed guys!

Just me catching up after lunch with several reply notifications and mixing up two threads. 😉

No reason OP here can't go for hybrid if they want.

1 minute ago, alexp999 said:

No reason OP here can't go for hybrid if they want.

Absolutely not (if he fancies one). 3 of the 5 cars I mentioned are hybrids, getting very hard to find a manual already.

Want to keep costs down, so it looks like a new Suzuki Swift. I have equity in the Fiesta. 

Over the past 5 days, I've emailed my Ford dealer twice and they don't even reply.  Bye Ford 👋

Fiesta is a 1ltr 100bhp turbo. Dealer confirmed wetbelt. 

Crazy how the servicing is 2yrs /18k mls when the oil needs to be changed to help keep the wetbelt intact. Once it starts to peel, then it's only a matter of time before it skins and screws the engine, by starving oil 

46 minutes ago, Rich650 said:

 

Crazy how the servicing is 2yrs /18k mls when the oil needs to be changed to help keep the wetbelt intact.

It is. I asked this question when I got my previous 1.0 5 years ago. In the absence of a sensible answer, I continued with annual changes, as many other members on here have.

13 hours ago, Rich650 said:

Want to keep costs down, so it looks like a new Suzuki Swift. I have equity in the Fiesta. 

👋

Which version, out of interest? They had a 1.0 turbo broadly equivalent to the ecoboost, but have dropped that so I believe the choice is now an 82ps 1.2 non-turbo or the Sport with 130ps 1.4 "boosterjet".

 

 

 

 

If you keep up with regular oil changes with the correct oil and kill the engine immediately if you see the oil pressure light flicker then there's no reason to get rid of a 2 year old car, especially a post-covid car which hasn't been sitting around and condensating potentially exacerbating belt issues

I know there's a lot of negativity out there but with a full ford service history and necessary additional servicing carried out on schedule then I don't understand the problem.

Remember that considering that basically every passenger Ford vehicle since 2012 has had a flavour with a 1.0 Ecoboost there are 11 years worth of these cars, usually up amongst the nations best selling vehicles - there are a HELL of a lot of cars out there with trouble-free wetbelt engines. Even throwing the PSA wetbelt cars into the mix - it's still a minority.

Also remembering that there will be a large number of affected owners who didn't service on time, didn't service with the correct oil, used engine flushes at service time - all of which will contribute to premature failure of the belt.

Nice to read a positive post Nick regarding the ecoboost engine 

Maybe I'm in denial as I've got a 2012/2013 Focus Tit-X Estate with the 1.0. Bought it in January this year. It had it's wet belt changed by the dealer as part of the pre-sale inspection which is why it commanded a slightly higher than average forecourt price. It wasn't causing any issues and indeed drove absolutely fine and sounded great on my test drives, it was literally changed due to age (10 years).

As part of that 10 year belt service, they did the timing belt, tensioner, oil pump belt, cleaned the oil pickup, and I can't remember what it was called but I believe it was an end plate seal was replaced as well - effectively from a timing belt perspective making it fresh. This was Cuff Miller Ford in Littlehampton, and speaking to their techs and service dept guys they sound like they know what they're doing and were sure to discuss the Ecoboost before I purchased.

It's my workhorse right now, bought it with 47k on it in January this year. The only things it's needed from me so far is a pair of tyres (and that was just me being fussy and wanting to match brands), and I've replaced the degas hose with the MK3.5 facelifted version. It's just ticked over 63k - I did an oil change myself at 6 months using the correct spec Castrol WSS-M2C948-B oil and a genuine filter and I'll be booking it in with the dealer for a service and MOT later in December/early January. They've looked after the car for the last 6 years or so and I've been pleased with their knowledge, service and pricing so will keep the Ford stamps going in the service book. Seems worth that even if it's just for the continuation of the Ford Assist breakdown cover!

I've just put a post up " oil advice" what's your opinion on the correct oil as I see you mentioned Castro. My query was at my ford dealer I was given ultratec oil although the spec is as it says in the manual so it should be good to use. I have continuous ford service too, but decided to do a additional oil change myself. If I continue to use my Ford garage this is the oil they will be using. What's your on this oil please.

It's the right spec, so that should be fine. 

I used this in mine:

Genuine Ford 5w20 EcoBoost Magnatec Oil 5Ltr 1009373 : Amazon.co.uk: Automotive

Purely as it's the right spec, and I'm a sucker for a Ford logo on something.

8 minutes ago, dontpannic said:

It's the right spec, so that should be fine. 

I used this in mine:

Genuine Ford 5w20 EcoBoost Magnatec Oil 5Ltr 1009373 : Amazon.co.uk: Automotive

Purely as it's the right spec, and I'm a sucker for a Ford logo on something.

I got my oil at a Main Ford Dealer, I was expecting to get the Magnatec oil but was surprised when I didn't.  That was my point or concern as to why they never supplied the Genuine Ford Magnatec , I could of used my trade card and bought that at halfords  and saved myself a few quid.

Some really good posts in here today. Thank you 

I asked my supplying main dealer for a cost for a service and mot today. The car is 3 in March 2024 but I was curious. 

Bearing in mind the car is on a 2 year service schedule, I'm not waiting 2yrs to change the oil, they quoted me for a 4yr service! I queried it and said I just wanted an oil and filter change. Now waiting for them to reply. 

I might have to get off my ivory tower and slap my face. I have a 2.5yr old car which looks and drives okay. In June 2024, it'll cost me £7,700 to pay the PCP balance off. 

Sometimes you can be your own worst enemy and 'dontpannic' has posted with wisdom and common sense. 👍

5 minutes ago, Rich650 said:

Some really good posts in here today. Thank you 

I asked my supplying main dealer for a cost for a service and mot today. The car is 3 in March 2024 but I was curious. 

Bearing in mind the car is on a 2 year service schedule, I'm not waiting 2yrs to change the oil, they quoted me for a 4yr service! I queried it and said I just wanted an oil and filter change. Now waiting for them to reply. 

I might have to get off my ivory tower and slap my face. I have a 2.5yr old car which looks and drives okay. In June 2024, it'll cost me £7,700 to pay the PCP balance off. 

Sometimes you can be your own worst enemy and 'dontpannic' has posted with wisdom and common sense. 👍

My car is the same age as yours, mine will be 3 in February 2024, next official Ford service is the 4 year one, due on 26th Nov 2024. That's why I've been to the garage today to buy oil and filter to do myself.