Ford Focus- when should I REALLY change the cambelt?

[The Wookie]

I did 95k on mine but... In hindsight I probably wouldn't recommend letting it go past 65-70k

I did it with a service, tensioners and new water pump for 400 quid from a local garage... And he blatantly charged me for 2 or 3 hours more than he actually did

[HellDiver]

Zetec engine's belt is good for 100k no problems.
Duratec engine's belt is a chain.

[Benny Saltstein]

I did mine at an indicated 102k but the speedo picked up an intermittant fault some years previous meaning the mileage was probably more like 110k.

I have taken the car back after lending it to the FiL for two years and on taking it back it was clearing in need of some TLC. The car felt very lumpy, particularly at idle and I made sure the belt was looked at straight away.

I don't know how easy it is to remove the belt cover but a examination of the condition could help you decide. Stringing it out though endlessly would be a false economy and I certainly was getting nervous at the thought of it going pop.

[HellDiver]

hora said:

HellDiver said:

Zetec engine's belt is good for 100k no problems.
Duratec engine's belt is a chain.

How do you tell which? I say this as my engine is 100hp but not sure how you spot??

Edit -model is not a zetec spec. Its 'Flight'.

1.4 and 1.6 are Zetec. 1.8, 2.0 are Duratec.

[E30M3SE]

100PS Focus is going to have a Zetec lump with a cam belt not chain.

Ford's recommended change interval on these for cam and aux belts is 8years or 100K miles.

Edited by E30M3SE on Wednesday 16th February 11:02

[The Wookie]

HellDiver said:

hora said:

HellDiver said:

Zetec engine's belt is good for 100k no problems.
Duratec engine's belt is a chain.

How do you tell which? I say this as my engine is 100hp but not sure how you spot??

Edit -model is not a zetec spec. Its 'Flight'.

1.4 and 1.6 are Zetec. 1.8, 2.0 are Duratec.

If it's a Mk1 then 1.4 and 1.6 are Zetec-SE (Sigma), and 1.8 and 2.0 are Zetec

Mk2 again is Sigma for 1.4 and 1.6 and Duratec for 1.8 and 2.0 like you say

[V88Dicky]

I thought only the V6 Duratecs used chain driven cams? Didn't think any Ford four-pots were chain

[V88Dicky]

V88Dicky said:

I thought only the V6 Duratecs used chain driven cams? Didn't think any Ford four-pots were chain

ETA
I think the owner's forums recommend 7yr/70k changes instead of the 10yr/100k.

[HellDiver]

V88Dicky said:

I thought only the V6 Duratecs used chain driven cams? Didn't think any Ford four-pots were chain

You thought wrong. All proper Duratecs are chains (the 1.4 and 1.6 are renamed Sigma/ZetecSE).

[The Wookie]

V88Dicky said:

I thought only the V6 Duratecs used chain driven cams? Didn't think any Ford four-pots were chain

Arguably the Duratec isn't a Ford 4-pot, it's a Mazda 4-pot

[HellDiver]

The Wookie said:

Arguably the Duratec isn't a Ford 4-pot, it's a Mazda 4-pot

Yep, and it's really a very good little engine.

[HellDiver]

hora said:

The same 1.8 that was in the mk2.5 MX5?

Mk3 MX5 uses the MZR. Mk2 uses a B-series Mazda engine.

I think the MZR in the Mk3 is different in that it uses less crap manifolds compared to the Ford version.

[simion_levi]

Be interested to see further answers on this, I have a 1.6 Ti-VCT on 75K/4 years at the moment. Book says interval of 100K/10years and my Ford specialist supports this, but I could still do with a little more convincing.

[curlie467]

After it breaks, make sure you drain every last mile out of the damn thing.

[The Wookie]

hora said:

How much though? £400 seems excessive for a simple engine with alot of space in the engine bay to work with!

It was excessive, I didn't go back to that garage. It also had an oil and filters change when it was in so it wasn't the only cost.

I'd expect it to be 200-250 quid on its own, and add another 30 or 40 quid for a water pump.

[P700DEE]

Ran our Focus 2.0 Zetec for 100K and it had belts done with the service. Was about 7 years old.

[nonuts]

I think normally sensible services intervals include age not just mileage as they do not last even if very low miles. I'd not be leaving any for more than 5 years if worried about engine life.

[HAB]

They don't need changed. It's just a marketing gimmick

[curlie467]

hora said:

curlie467 said:

After it breaks, make sure you drain every last mile out of the damn thing.

Explain!

Nothing to explain here, just move along.