Matt H Posted October 8, 2012 Share Posted October 8, 2012 I've just bought a MK2 focus as my new daily. I've checked the service intervals and the timing belt (cam belt) is good for 100k! This seems quite a lot of miles for a belt. It's what Ford say though. Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Massey Posted October 8, 2012 Share Posted October 8, 2012 My old escort and mondeo was ok for 80k miles and they were quite a few years old Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyson Posted October 8, 2012 Share Posted October 8, 2012 Usually Haynes manual tells you to change earlier, about 5 years or 55000 miles but it's up to you really. I would rather be safe than sorry though on such an important piece of the car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjy Posted October 8, 2012 Share Posted October 8, 2012 100k or 10 years whichever occurs first. EDIT: Never had one snap inside that interval in 10 years in the trade, 3 of them at Ford. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt H Posted October 9, 2012 Author Share Posted October 9, 2012 100k or 10 years whichever occurs first. EDIT: Never had one snap inside that interval in 10 years in the trade, 3 of them at Ford. Thanks Ben. I think I'll be cautious closer to the time (Say do it at 90k), but after doing a bit more reading I'm happy that the belt will last much longer than what I considered to be normal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjy Posted October 9, 2012 Share Posted October 9, 2012 I've seen 1.8's on 120k on the original belt. But yeah, no harm in doing it a little sooner. They're a piece of cake to do, although you do need the crankshaft and camshaft locking kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
straightsix Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 Manufacturers recommend cambelt and service intervals based on standard criteria on how the 'average' vehicle is used. They don't take into account cars that are used for frequent short journeys or cars that spend all their time on a motorway. I would suggest you look at the way you use your car and make your decision accordingly with common sense. Service intervals are recommendation and not set in stone. For instance - if. you contacted Ford and told them the car did a lot of stop start driving, they would. probably advise you to service things sooner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjy Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 Manufacturers recommend cambelt and service intervals based on standard criteria on how the 'average' vehicle is used. They don't take into account cars that are used for frequent short journeys or cars that spend all their time on a motorway. I would suggest you look at the way you use your car and make your decision accordingly with common sense. Service intervals are recommendation and not set in stone. For instance - if. you contacted Ford and told them the car did a lot of stop start driving, they would. probably advise you to service things sooner. In the same token, if a belt snapped within the recommended period, they'd have no option but to fit an engine for you. Because they fitted the part originally, and they said it didn't need doing until 100k or 10years under "normal" conditions. Define normal? Prove otherwise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt H Posted October 11, 2012 Author Share Posted October 11, 2012 Manufacturers recommend cambelt and service intervals based on standard criteria on how the 'average' vehicle is used. They don't take into account cars that are used for frequent short journeys or cars that spend all their time on a motorway. I would suggest you look at the way you use your car and make your decision accordingly with common sense. Service intervals are recommendation and not set in stone. For instance - if. you contacted Ford and told them the car did a lot of stop start driving, they would. probably advise you to service things sooner. I understand what you're saying, but I would have thought an element of risk is built into the 100k and the belt would, on average, last longer than that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
straightsix Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 The element of risk is built into the owner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
movistar Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 You can pick up a focus nowadays for the price of a cambelt, so I wouldn't worry :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt H Posted October 11, 2012 Author Share Posted October 11, 2012 You can pick up a focus nowadays for the price of a cambelt, so I wouldn't worry :-) £12? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjy Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 £12? I've bought them cheaper! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
straightsix Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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