Is the fact that the engine is run by a wet timing belt something to be concerned about? Can this belt deteriorate into the oil and cause problems with the oil pickup or break early?
It requires synthetic 5w-30 dexos oil is syntheticI've heard that the use of a *Full Synthetic motor oil like Castor or Mobil "1" will be better for the belts as the full synthetic motor oils don't breakdown like synthetic blends or reg grade motor oils. Another maintenance area is engine "coolant" as to prevent any over heating issues, use an approved GM coolant.
I think for assurance sake I might just replace those belts at 80KI would say no, it's not an issue. Firstly, it's not made out of the same rubber as a traditional timing or fan belt, it's a nitrile/polyaramid fiber belt designed to withstand oil and extreme heat. Secondly, as Montkun stated, these engines have been in production since 2019 with no recalls or TSB's for the timing belt. That's long enough for several hundred of them to have hit 100,00+ miles and to be on their second belt. The Ford Ecoboost 1.0L 3-cylinder BIO had issues with delamination and fragmentation and therefore would clog the oil pickup, starve the engine of oil and ka-boom. They used a different type of belt. The biggest issue that these engines will face is neglected maintenance by the owners. Infrequent oil changes are the main way to cause issues with BIO systems. People tend to treat GM cars, especially low-priced ones, as disposable and don't give them the attention that any new car is due, they tend to drive them into the dirt and then complain that things break or it doesn't last as long. Any car will die an early death if neglected. Change your oil often, I'm doing 5,000 mile changes and ignoring the computer unless it says to do it sooner. I also plan to change my belt before 100K miles as insurance.
I'm not able to click on your link for that thread but I'm interested in reading it. Can you repost the link by chance?This thread here goes through a tear down of a used 2024 Trax engine with 133,000 miles on it. The wet belt did just fine and was still good to go at that mileage.
You have to join the FB group to be able to see it. Join up, there is some good info in it.I'm not able to click on your link for that thread but I'm interested in reading it. Can you repost the link by chance?