Owners of recent cars, be careful: a hidden defect could turn your vehicle into a financial pit, or even make it completely unusable.
After the Dieselgate scandal which shook the global automobile industry, after the massive recalls of vehicles for safety defects which have marked recent years in France, a new major problem could well explode into broad daylight. This time, it is not polluting emissions, engine failures, airbags or braking systems that are to blame, but a seemingly innocuous part that could transform your car into a real financial pit.
If you purchased your vehicle after 2017, you may be affected by what Dave Harrison, a British mechanic and spokesperson for 911 Auto Repairs in Sheffield, already calls a “next big scandal” automobile from our colleagues at Express.co. This failure affects used petrol and diesel cars indiscriminately, and could concern millions of European motorists who thought they had made a safe and sustainable purchase.
The culprit? “Wet belts”, these new timing belts that have replaced older versions on most models built after 2017. Unlike traditional belts exposed to the air, these new parts are bathed in engine oil to reduce friction and improve efficiency. But this innovation hides a formidable trap. “They replaced the timing belts with wet belts on a lot of models after 2017, supposedly they are more efficient. But the wet belt is a big problem because it only has a 10 year interval and then it breaks.”explains the mechanic.
According to the RAC, a British automotive organization, these belts should be replaced every 50,000 to 100,000 kilometers, or approximately every 5 to 10 years depending on the manufacturers. Problem: when she lets go, it’s a disaster. “When a timing belt breaks, the engine stops immediately and the steering may become heavy. The brake pedal may also become more difficult to use.”specifies the RAC. Dave Harrison is categorical: “When it breaks, it’s very difficult to repair. It takes twice as long as a normal belt to repair and it costs more to replace (…) or it’s irreparable and makes the car virtually worthless,” he concludes.
If your car is from after 2017, check your service book now if it is equipped with a wet belt and quickly consult your mechanic to find out the condition of this crucial part. It is better to anticipate this costly replacement than to suffer a catastrophic breakdown that could render your vehicle unusable.
