Urgent Cam Belt Help ...

[Amanda999]

Does anyone know when a cambelt should be changed.

I am thinking of buying (tomorrow) a T reg 1.6 Focus with 70,000 on the clock.

The bloke at the garage is telling me that the cam belt will last to 100,000. I am sure that this has not been changed before.

Is he telling me the truth, or fobbing me off?

Thanks
Amanda

[zx2srdotnet]

about 60-65k

[03Focus_Guy]

at 100k miles you'll be lucky to still have an engine b/c if that snaps on you your cams could be opening the valves and not closing so the engine doesnt work but you could be looking at even worse problems like having the valve open and the cylinder coming up and smcaking it causing it to bend then your looking at a major repair bill right there so i would change it now since you have 70k miles and its never been changed before

[zx2srdotnet]

unless the 1.6 is internaly balanced like the Zetec but i dont think it is

[Amanda999]

Thanks for your help.

I called my local Ford dealer and they advised me that it was supposed to be changed at 100k now.

So, the bloke at the garage was telling me the truth after all.

Thanks again
Amanda

[zx2srdotnet]

lots of people change them at 60-70 to stay on the save side

[pre98zetec]

I'd change it now, just to be on the safe side. If you had a Zetec, then it'd be around 120k, they'll last alot longer then that. My Zetec has 136k on it.

[fordesigner]

Originally Posted by 03Focus_Guy

at 100k miles you'll be lucky to still have an engine b/c if that snaps on you your cams could be opening the valves and not closing so the engine doesnt work but you could be looking at even worse problems like having the valve open and the cylinder coming up and smcaking it causing it to bend then your looking at a major repair bill right there so i would change it now since you have 70k miles and its never been changed before

I believe the Zetec is a non interference motor, so unless the head has been milled, nothing will happen to the valves.