I'm considering acquiring a 2025 1.0 Focus ST line X mhev with the 48 volt extra battery, the stealer can't confirm that it's chain driven ( I think it is )

Can anyone definitely confirm whether it's wet belt or chain ?

Thank you for any responses.

All Mk4 Focus 1.0 are chain driven.

They do still have a small wetbelt for the oilpump though.

3 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

All Mk4 Focus 1.0 are chain driven.

They do still have a small wetbelt for the oilpump though.

Thank you Tom.

Do you know if the wet belt for the oil pump is a potential issue ?

Thank you.

9 minutes ago, MONDEO TXS 2.2 said:

Thank you Tom.

Do you know if the wet belt for the oil pump is a potential issue ?

Thank you.

That question is a bit divisive on here. We have seen a few oil pump belts fail on the chain engines, so they certainly aren't completely reliable. However, there are nowhere near as many failures as there were old wet timing belt failures though. It's also possible to stop the engine in time to prevent damage if the belt breaks at idle or at slow speed, though if it breaks at 70mph on the motorway the engine is likely to fail.

The oil pump belt is recommended to be replaced at 10 years, and the chain will also need to be replaced at the same time due to access, and the fact that the chains have been noted as stretching over time. So the replacement cost is slightly higher than it is for the old wetbelts.

I don't think the 10 year interval will be too much of an issue for yourself if you're not keeping cars for long. But with very low mileage I would recommend an oil change at least once a year to keep the oil pump belt in as good condition as possible. (Oil change is only included every other year with Ford scheduled servicing on this engine).

18 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

That question is a bit divisive on here. We have seen a few oil pump belts fail on the chain engines, so they certainly aren't completely reliable. However, there are nowhere near as many failures as there were old wet timing belt failures though. It's also possible to stop the engine in time to prevent damage if the belt breaks at idle or at slow speed, though if it breaks at 70mph on the motorway the engine is likely to fail.

The oil pump belt is recommended to be replaced at 10 years, and the chain will also need to be replaced at the same time due to access, and the fact that the chains have been noted as stretching over time. So the replacement cost is slightly higher than it is for the old wetbelts.

I don't think the 10 year interval will be too much of an issue for yourself if you're not keeping cars for long. But with very low mileage I would recommend an oil change at least once a year to keep the oil pump belt in as good condition as possible. (Oil change is only included every other year with Ford scheduled servicing on this engine).

Thank you for your very informative reply Tom.

I've always been a change the oil and oil filter once a year irrespective of mileage devotee, so no worries there 👍

If I do proceed with my purchase at least I'll have two years of Ford warranty left to play with as the other car is just under one year old.

Thanks again Tom. 👍