HallCraft has welcomed Ford’s Transit Van Timing Belt U-Turn – but still believes owners should act earlier.
The US motor giants have backtracked on their original guidance for timing belt replacements instructing customers to now seek replacements on 100,000 miles or six years – some 44,000 miles / four years SOONER than their original schedule.
Their U-turn follows thousands of complaints from angry motorists left with huge bills after timing belt fails way earlier than the originally advised 144,000 miles mark.
Those failures have left customers with catastrophic engine damage and months off the road due to cost, the back and too with Ford Customer care, and the unavailability of parts.
HallCraft has been leading the fight to warn motorists of this timing belt ticking timebomb – but fear even the new advice is too long for drivers to wait to replace their timing belt.
Transit Timing Belts
“We would seriously advise motorists to replace Ford Transit van timing belts way before 100,000 miles, maybe 80,000 to 90,000 miles. It is a massive problem that can be avoided,” explained HallCraft boss James Hopcraft.
“And we would strongly urge anyone who has just purchased a used Transit which runs a welt belt to check this has been done.
“Do not take anyone’s word for it, you must demand firm evidence such as the online DSR (digital service history) or dated itemised invoice with date, mileage and part numbers list with the correct grade and specification of engine oil clearly documented.
“If you do not have that evidence – get the belts replaced as a precaution because the belts will fail leaving drivers with a huge unexpected bill.
“We have been inundated with enquiries since we first raised this issue as motorists simply didn’t know, they felt safe following the official guidance.
“Ford originally said the owners should replace timing belts every 144,000 miles or ten years which, in my opinion, was crazy as the belts were failing way earlier leaving drivers with the huge expense of needing a new engine and a long frustrating wait for the work.
Replacement Interval
“I believe this became such a headache for Ford that they had little choice but to change on the replacement interval.
“Earlier this year, it became known that Ford has reduced the service interval for the timing belt, tensioner and idlers to six years or 160,000km (100,000 miles). This applies to all Transit and Transit Custom, Van and Tourneo vehicles fitted with a 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel engine.
“We still think that is pushing the limits of the timing belt, we believe drivers should replace them earlier. We’d recommend before the 90,000 miles mark, but ideally even earlier as this is a known weakness.
“Changing timing belts early will save motorists thousands in the long run but crucially keep them on the road.
“By timing the repair, if you excuse the pun, drivers can plan their visit and get back to business within two days, confident that their wet belts have been professionally replaced by the leading independent garage in the West Midlands.
Ford DSR Portal
“For those vehicles listed on Fords DSR portal, HallCraft will update the records to show the belts have been replaced, as well as an itemised invoice with all the genuine parts listed, including the grade of engine oil and specification recommended for your wet belt engine.
“I cannot stress enough how important it is to ensure that your Transit has been or is going to be serviced to the absolute letter, using the exact oil specification, time & mileage that Ford stipulates for these wet belt engines.
“You must avoid short cuts for example a cheaper oil, or stretching the service interval a little bit longer. Unfortunately, even those with a good service history cannot be guaranteed to not have an issue.
“However, what I can say from experience is that timing belts fitted to vehicles that have been serviced correctly with the correct engine oil are in far better shape than those who have not.”
Many motorists are still unaware of the timing belt issue. It affects Ford Transit vans built after 2016 featuring the EcoBlue engine.
The EcoBlue engine uses a ‘wet belt’ that runs in the engine oil. It plays a crucial role in the successful running of an engine, connecting the crankshaft and the camshaft and keeping the valves and pistons working in perfect synchronisation.
Significant Engine Damage
If the belt fails, the valves and pistons can collide causing significant engine damage including bent valves, damaged pistons and ultimate engine failure – with a new genuine engine currently costing in excess of £10k plus the weeks it takes to repair.
“The problem is the driver will have no way of knowing the belt is about to fail. It’s not like there is a noise or gradual deterioration,” James explained.
“It will be fine one minute and then it will fail and the only way to stop it is to take preventive steps and replace it before it fails.
“It is so frustrating to take calls from drivers begging for help after it has gone because there is nothing that can be done to fix the failure without major, major works.
“We are glad Ford is now advising motorists to act sooner but, I still don’t think the notice to act is soon enough.”
Timing Belt Cost
Cradley Heath-based HallCraft replace timing belts for a fee of around £1,300 depending on engine number and whether the vehicle is front or rear wheel drive.
The price is fully inclusive of parts, labour & VAT and includes a replacement timing belt kit, oil pump drive belt, oil pump strainer, front timing cover, sump pan, lower crank pulley bolt, engine oil and auxiliary drive belts.
A statement issued by Ford said: “The service interval has been changed in order to address issues with timing belt service life, caused by engine oil dilution/ vehicle operation conditions/ usage.
“Oil dilution can occur on the latest generation of low-emission diesel engines when the emissions system cleans the diesel particulate filter (DPF) and is influenced by the customer’s vehicle use cycle.”
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