Ford KA (2005) - make or break

[MedinaRocks]

Hello everyone,

In the last seven weeks, my standard 05 Ford KA has cost me just under £700 (new clutch, new brakes and two new front tyres). Some of you may read this and think l'm a mug with a nostalgic soft spot for my KA, but the reality is that it's cheap to run, insure and gets me from A to B. I'm really confused and what to make sure l have this clear - do the newer KA models have a cam belt or cam chain? Do l need to start worrying getting this replaced as l'm nearly at 64,000 miles and someone told me that this needs doing before 70,000. Alternatively, is there anything else l should know about in advance?

Also, l have the tell-tell patch of rust starting to form around the petrol camp ring, but nowhere else on the car. I've seen a few other older KAs and can guess that once the rust sets it..it's just a matter or time. What are my realistic options here? Is there something that l can do or buy to slow down the process or should l just focus on driving the car until it does, instead of worrying about how it looks etc?

Thanks...this is my first post!

Natalie :-)

[Matt777]

Hi Natalie,

I have a SportKA which I use day to day.

£700 is a fair wack, but if your car is running well now and back on form thats the main thing . If it carries on going solid from now own, stick with it.

Pretty certain you have a timing chain and not a belt, but handbook or any garage will confirm on your exact model.

Rust is an issue on the KA, I looked at 7 KA's before finding mine (and it still had a tiny bit around the rear wiper). You can get the affected areas taken back, treated, and sprayed to improve the siutation. Sooner rather than later is best, but don't loose sleep over it!

Cheers,
Matt

[JU5T1N]

I agree with Matt, although I think yours could be a Zetec SE engine so its belt driven.
Worth getting done and should be done on its major service.

As for the new Ka's I would hold back on them, don't want to offend anyone but are made by Fiat same under pinnings as a Panda or 500 which have been troublesome.

[neiljohnson]

All ka's have a timing chain weather it's an endura or duratec (Rocam) engine so no worries about a belt.
All ka's rust some worse than others but it depends how much it bothers you it won't cause the car to break down & the area around the fuel cap is not structural so won't fail an mot


And welcome

[MedinaRocks]

Thank you for all your advice and insight into KAs. I ended up having to go back to the garage a couple of days after the clutch was fitted to ask the mechanic why there was such a loud rattle coming from the engine when the car was in neutral/no pressure on clutch peddle (something about new gearbox oil not cushioning the sounds coming from it like the old/thick oil did). Oil has been changed again but there is still a bit of a rattle, but the car goes into gear fine. I've given the car a good clean as a bribe not to cause me any further car drama, let's hope it works!