Timing Belt

[mr_tw]

2 quick questions what is the km interval for changing the timing belt? and is the Zetec a motor that will mash the valves if the belt does brake or is there enough space in there that everything will be ok?
Thanks

[Johnny Mullet]

Non-interference motor. Don't fix it unless it's broke.

[mr_tw]

what is reccomended for changing it? i would do it myself i wouldn't pay a shop to do it, i would like to do it when the downtime won't affect my going to work lol

[Johnny Mullet]

50,000 miles is the recommended service interval.

[pre98zetec]

they last 100,000+ if you don't push your car, I replaced mine at 135,000 and it was still fine.

Just because its a non-interference motor doens't mean 'fix it when its breaks'.. Fix it now before it leaves you stranded.

[mr_tw]

i fully agree i don't like those kind of suprises

[malletslinger]

I asked FORD about a year ago in reguards to my girlfriends 2000 zts and they said 5yrs or 100,000mi...
Still haven't bothered doing it yet...there is only like 76,000mi...maybe we will do it this summer, I mean next summer,lol.

[Grug]

When you folks say 'non interference motor', what exactly does that mean? Do you mean that if the timing belt fails, it won't take the cylinder head with it? I had an old VW Rabbit that when the timing belt failed, it took the cylinder head, too! So, would that Rabbit's motor have been an 'interference motor'?

[pre98zetec]

Originally Posted by Grug

When you folks say 'non interference motor', what exactly does that mean? Do you mean that if the timing belt fails, it won't take the cylinder head with it? I had an old VW Rabbit that when the timing belt failed, it took the cylinder head, too! So, would that Rabbit's motor have been an 'interference motor'?

Yes, the pistons will never come in contact with the valves if the timing belt breaks.

[GringoPete]

I have 91,000 miles on my focus and haven't changed the timing belt yet.