Focus Mk2 Cam Belt

[barrymx5]

I'm left in little doubt that my mk2 1.8 55 plate Focus has a timing belt and a timing chain. Ford recommend them both being changed at 125k or 10yr intervals. Having researched all the various forums, I feel confident that it is best to change the belt between 60 to 80k to be on the safe side. With regards to the chain, there would seem to be little or no evidence of any failures during the life of the engine. The sceptic might believe that the chain is included in the maintenance schedule as a money making ruse. I guess that it's up to the individual to take their chances, and if in doubt, have it changed. Personally, I'm leaving well alone.

I found an interesting dialogue on the talkford.com Forum that might be of interest:-

'misterlogic', on 18 Apr 2012 - 3:08 PM, said:

Hi Fraser

The "100% conclusive" answer can be found by registering on the Ford ETIS web site: www.etis.ford.com and then entering your vehicle registration. This provides the exact vehicle specification and recommended maintenance operations. In the case of your car, the following are listed:

• Camshaft drive belt - Every 125 000 miles/10 years - Renew (LTS 21 304 9)

• Fuel pump drive chain/belt - Every 125 000 miles/10 years - Renew (LTS 21 304 9 / 21 314 7)

• Auxiliary drive belts - Every 125 000 miles/10 years - Renew (LTS 21 567 5)

This indicates that, regardless of whether the fuel pump is driven by a chain or a belt, it should be replaced at 125000 miles.

I hope that helps.

Thanks that is very helpful, however :

I've taken the car to two Ford specialists, who confirm that whilst ford say the chain needs doings at 125k, it is the exact same chain as on the previous 1.8 TDCI Lynxs variants including focus, transit and other models, there is no difference. I am informed that engine has evolved on the mk4 1.8 tdci mondeobut is mostly the same, albeit with an upgraded fuel system. They have confirmed that the chain setup is entirely the same as on older lynx engines and the chain has always been for the life of the car.

Further to this, I was informed that its a very short chain that is strong and not prone to breaking, it has a proven track record as long as the cars oil is changed regularly. Both specialists were able to say, that having serviced many lynxs engines over the years and they have never seen this specific chain snap and as such recommend that only the belt needs doing. They were of course happy to replace the chain if I was insistent but obviously there would be extra for the parts and labour involved.

Conclusion - The servicing of the chain at 125k may possibly be a technical blunder by Ford, who have simply put a token service interval on it, due to the belt / belt in oil setup needing both doing at 125k, therefore in fact to labelling both setups together for simplicity when in fact they are two completely different scenarios, i.e. Belt / Belt need both replacing at 125k and Belt / Chain only needs belt at 125k. Its either that or its about making £££ as the belt and chain together are much more to replace.

[sonic113]

Barrymx5

Personally I think with a chain you will be fine. I had fords old hcs engine with chain and it outlasted the body of the car at 247000 miles on it. My advice is since you have the chain I would just do the belt kit if you feel confident in doing it and you should be fine. If you had the wetbelt I would definitely recommend changing both at same time though.

Good luck anyhows.

[IINexusII]

just change the belt and you will be fine, its only the later engines with the lower wet belt that need both changed

[titanium chris]

Hi

After reading the previous posts I thought someone may be able to help

I currently have my 2009 ford focus in fords at the moment with the intention to have all three belts replaced, those being aux belt top belt and wet belt as the car has done 122000 miles and sounds a bit rough.

The ford dealers rang me up today to tell me that good news I don't need to do the wet belt as it's a chain and doesn't need changing.

After reading a lot of post i'm pretty sure there's not much chance of mine having a chain as after 2008 it reverted to the wet belt set up.

I said how did they know its a chain and they said that's what the parts desk said and haven't physically looked.

I thought ok if it is a chain then it should still be changed according to etis at 10 years 125000 miles but they are saying the chain never needs to be touched.

Can anyone confirm what I have just said is correct as the only reason I put it in a dealers mainly was to get the wet belt changed. I could of got the other belts changed easily elsewhere.

Any help would be great as the car is still in the dealers will tomorrow

[sonic113]

Hi

After reading the previous posts I thought someone may be able to help

I currently have my 2009 ford focus in fords at the moment with the intention to have all three belts replaced, those being aux belt top belt and wet belt as the car has done 122000 miles and sounds a bit rough.

The ford dealers rang me up today to tell me that good news I don't need to do the wet belt as it's a chain and doesn't need changing.

After reading a lot of post i'm pretty sure there's not much chance of mine having a chain as after 2008 it reverted to the wet belt set up.

I said how did they know its a chain and they said that's what the parts desk said and haven't physically looked.

I thought ok if it is a chain then it should still be changed according to etis at 10 years 125000 miles but they are saying the chain never needs to be touched.

Can anyone confirm what I have just said is correct as the only reason I put it in a dealers mainly was to get the wet belt changed. I could of got the other belts changed easily elsewhere.

Any help would be great as the car is still in the dealers will tomorrow

I would say they know alright, because at the parts department they are bound to have run your cars vin through the ford system and it should bring up everything regarding the cars build to the type of parts used ect. If you where unsure you could always ring a different ford dealer and get them to get if your car has one just to see what they come up with.

although it would be funny if they said yes you do have a belt that needs changed lol! :)

[stef123]

I would say they know alright, because at the parts department they are bound to have run your cars vin through the ford system and it should bring up everything regarding the cars build to the type of parts used ect. If you where unsure you could always ring a different ford dealer and get them to get if your car has one just to see what they come up with.

although it would be funny if they said yes you do have a belt that needs changed lol! :)

Not necessarily, I have had issues before where the dealer's parts department were adamant they were supplying correct parts when in actual fact the details on their computer were not correct.

[titanium chris]

And guess what rang the sister site parts department who said it had a belt then the parts department where it is who also said it had a belt this is after they replaced the cambelt and aux belt yesterday.

The service advisor did get a bit stroppy and asked me what I wanted her to do and I said the job I came in for yesterday to which she replied it takes 3 hours to strip down so I said if that is how long it takes it needs doing.Half hour later I get a phone call with an apology and that it has got a wetbelt that needs changing so obviously a quicker way of finding out.

On my 2nd day now without the car and won't get it back now till Monday due to the technician not being happy with the state of the tensioner which is separate to the kit and needed to be ordered.Back to work tomorrow minus my car so got to find a way there for the next few days as they have no car to loan me.

Also rang customer relations to explain how disappointed I am with the change in design and should not need to pay out so much on a reliable part they replaced with one that isnt to which they said theres not much they can do as it's outside the warranty period but phoned the dealership who are giving me a discount supposedly.

At least it will be done but will still have a belt in there rather than a chain as they change like for like but atleast it will be a new one :(

[IINexusII]

You can replace the belt with a chain: Video is about the Mondeo but the engine is the same (at least on that side)

[titanium chris]

yeah I did want a chain but they will only replace with what is in there originally :(

It's a good vid that one and I did mention it to customer relations earlier not that it made a difference.