Fiesta cambelt change

[Indyi]

Hello everyone . Need some advice i have a 2009 ford fiezta 1.6 petrol with 80k on the clock.

Im looking to get the cambelt changed and thought will get the water pump done too. But have found that on this model the cam belt and the water pump are seperate

Still worth getting the water pump done too ?

[stevemcs]

Yes get the pump done, I believe it sits behind the belt so if it does need changing then you have to remove the cambelt to do it. Also budget for the Aux belt, the water pump will add around 1/2 hour to the job, the Aux belt should add no labour.

[njw1]

stevemcs said:

Yes get the pump done, I believe it sits behind the belt so if it does need changing then you have to remove the cambelt to do it. Also budget for the Aux belt, the water pump will add around 1/2 hour to the job, the Aux belt should add no labour.

It's tight but there is just enough room to remove the water pump without disturbing the cam belt, however, whilst you've got it in bits it would make no sense not to change the water pump, they're cheap enough.

[Leveret]

You might consider leaving well alone. The engineers designed this sturdy cambelt set-up to last at least 150,000 miles. Unlike similar belts which are used to drive the back wheels of motor cycles, this does hardly any work. The load is spread over two small camshafts and a tension pulley which is far more likely to fail before the belt does. Ford advise a precautionary 100,000 miles or ten years, but modern aramid belts don't deteriorate significantly with age. Our Focus 1.6 Zetec is approaching 140,000 miles and 19yrs old. On recent inspection the original belts look and work just fine. Lots of these reliable engines have been ruined by well intentioned but botched belt changes, and thousands of others will have less power and be using more fuel than they should because careless mechanics have allowed a non-keyed cam sprocket to move a degree or few - or if using the white marker technique, got the belt a tooth out (one cam sprocket tooth is about 12 degrees). If it works, don't mend it.

[Sardonicus]

The fact you have left a cambelt in service for 19 years and presuming that a visual inspection of a cam-belt is a conclusive gauge of belt life/condition makes me very nervous of you sharing your advice/wisdom to others , Indyi if in doubt get the cam-belt kit replaced by a reputable garage/workshop with that age and mileage its due unless the car is a cheapy and your chancing your luck or getting rid

Edited by Sardonicus on Monday 3rd June 12:22