Do it yourself
Frequently asked questions about cars and motorcycles
Car tutorial (Do it yourself) Motorcycle tutorial (Do it yourself) Frequently Asked Questions

How to measure the condition of an oil-soaked belt

Model: (Various brands) Various
Part: Timing belt

The issue of the oil bath belt is a very common problem among motorists, and those who have a vehicle with this type of component surely have restless nights. In fact, the rubber deteriorates when soaked in hot oil, and the fragments that come off the belt mix with the engine oil, clogging the filter. Many car manufacturers have adopted this system: in addition to the Puretec EB engines of Peugeot and Citroen, there are also some models of Volkswagen 1.6 and 2.0 TDI common Rail; and the Ford ecoboost 1.0 - which, however, since 2018 onwards has been using the oil bath chain on these engines - as well as on the 1.8 TDCi diesel (which is a engine that has been out of production for some time). It is possible to measure the width of the belt using a special tool, which can be found for example on Amazon with the code B0CVJ9XB9Z at the price of 8.91 euros, with free delivery for Prime customers. When it deteriorates, the belt widens, so if the tool no longer measures the belt, then we have a problem and the belt must be replaced.

Posted on 29 September 2025 by ScegliAuto

Video tutorial

Related tutorials

The issues with the oil bath belt of the Puretech 1.2 engine.
The issues with the oil bath belt of the Puretech 1.2 engine.
(Various brands) Various In this video we can see what the problem is with cars with the Puretech 1.2 engine, which have a timing belt submerged in oil. In reality, many manu…
Which engines use an oil bath belt?
Which engines use an oil bath belt?
(Various brands) Various In this video, we talk about the now infamous oil bath timing belts: this type of belt was designed to last longer, but in reality it deteriorates in…
How Does an Oil-Bath Timing Belt Work? Any Issues?
How Does an Oil-Bath Timing Belt Work? Any Issues?
(Various brands) Various The timing belt (or chain) is a fundamental component of your car. It synchronises the crankshaft with the cylinder head. Normally, in our engines, t…

Other guides you may be interested in

How to Open the Bonnet of a Renault Megane if the Lever is Broken?

If the lever that unlocks the bonnet of the Renault Megane is broken or not functioning, there is an emergency procedure to unlock the mechanism: remove the right front grille located at the top of the bumper. Once the grille is removed, you can locate the actuator mechanism: by pulling the spring in this position, you can unlock the actuator, allowing you to lift the bonnet and access the components located inside the engine compartment. You can then close the bonnet simply by lowering it.

Watch the video!


by ScegliAuto

More videos