Ford Ka+ three cylinder Ti-VCT 1.2-litre engine CAM BELT

[WIRREN]

Hi, wondering if any 'Ford' people know if my three cylinder Ti-VCT 1.2-litre engine fitted to my July 2019 Ford Ka+ will have a wet cam belt fitted.

Cheers. Mark.

[E-bmw]

WIRREN said:

Hi, wondering if any 'Ford' people know if my three cylinder Ti-VCT 1.2-litre engine fitted to my July 2019 Ford Ka+ will have a wet cam belt fitted.

Cheers. Mark.

Not first-hand certain, however I would say if you can buy a full cam-belt kit complete with water pump it is a dry-belt engine.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/225236521327?fits=Car+M...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175475735437?fits=Car+M...

[WIRREN]

Thanks for reply, is that because a wet belt wouldn't be used to drive waterpump ?
I.E..... 2 belts would be used in a wet setup.
Cheers.

[E-bmw]

I know of no wet belt engines that use the same belt on the water pump, oil pump yes, not water pump.

I may be wrong, but I doubt it.

[E-bmw]

Another top tip is (if you can see it beneath the usual tupperware!) if the belt end of the engine has a plastic end cover it will be a dry belt, if it is a metal cover it is almost certainly a wet belt as it will have oil retaining gaskets all the way round.

[WIRREN]

Thanks again, not due a change for another 4 years but interested in knowing !!!

[SystemOfAFrown]

E-bmw said:

Not first-hand certain, however I would say if you can buy a full cam-belt kit complete with water pump it is a dry-belt engine.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/225236521327

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175475735437

Those belts are for the four cylinder Ti-VCT 1.2L engine, which was the last version of the old Sigma/Zetec SE. The three cylinder engine, also confusingly labeled "Ti-VCT 1.2L", is part of the "Dragon" family which I think uses a timing chain like it's 1.5L big brother.

[E-bmw]

SystemOfAFrown said:

E-bmw said:

Not first-hand certain, however I would say if you can buy a full cam-belt kit complete with water pump it is a dry-belt engine.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/225236521327

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175475735437

Those belts are for the four cylinder Ti-VCT 1.2L engine, which was the last version of the old Sigma/Zetec SE. The three cylinder engine, also confusingly labeled "Ti-VCT 1.2L", is part of the "Dragon" family which I think uses a timing chain like it's 1.5L big brother.

OK, not knowing the engine personally, I just went with the OP's info, I potentially stand educated, but as per the OP's question is it or isn't it?

[WIRREN]

Thanks for your input I haveJust checked original car spec and it says Dragon engine type.

[Fatbloke99]

Hi, don't know if this reply will be in time to help you, but i can 100% confirm that the 1.2 ti vct engine in a KA+ is a WET BELT.
I've found this out the hard way sadly. Bought a 2018 KA+ Active for my daughter just under 2 years ago and at the time i was led to believe it didn't have a wet belt. Fast forward to November this year (2025) and the belt failed, stripping nearly 1/3 of the teeth off it, mileage on the car was just under 68,000. Car has been serviced regularly, but i don't know if the correct oil was used before i bought it.
Brief investigations found 1 camshaft bearing cap broken so likely further damage to valves/piston so i decided to buy a 2nd hand engine and swap it out. Parts for this engine appear to be only available from ford so an overhaul would have been expensive. I did replace the belts on the engine i bought at a cost of approx £1000. (would be slightly more with the engine fitted in the car).
Hope this helps people to learn about this engine as i have found very little information on the internet about it.

[WIRREN]

Thanks for your reply 99, our car has only done 9k miles and I am using correct Ford oil. Will keep for another year or so before deciding on another make.

[E-bmw]

WIRREN said:

Thanks for your reply 99, our car has only done 9k miles and I am using correct Ford oil. Will keep for another year or so before deciding on another make.

Don't forget, the mileage is only one aspect of the requirement to change the belt.

The other being 5 yearly, which ever comes first.