Ford Focus

maniac886

CarineG wrote: »

I have just purchased a used Ford Focus. It has got 36000 miles on the clock and it looks like the oil needs to be replaced. The car is from 1999.
Is it worth taking to Ford to have a full service done which will set me back £310 or take it to my local garage who I am sure will have a more competitive price?
Also, I have been advised that the cambelt may need replaceing after 10 years (I thought it was around 50 000 to 60 000 miles). Does anyone know if it is worth replacing now?

No point taking the car for a service to the main stealer as its not under warranty any more, take the car to your local mechanic...as for the cambelt I wouldnt bother replacing it now. I would replace it around the 50K mark as you say above. I paid £120 for a full 3 year service at my local ford indie.

Inactive

A ten year old cam belt certainly requires changing, whatever mileage it has done.

( That is assuming that it hasn't been changed, did you not get a service history? )

Sirbendy

I have an Astra with 55k on the clocks and 9 years under it's belt..Vx spec 8 years/80000 miles for a change..

Now, after only 55k but 9 years, I've had it done with the water pump and thermostat as a precaution, as it was past the 8 years. It's usually a "whichever comes first".

Total cost at an local independent outfit today was a whopping, scary £169...:D

Vauxhall wanted silly money for it, and the first independent local to work wanted £240..so shop around and get quotes.

Turned out my water pump was leaking too, so I'm well chuffed. I always change my timing belts when I get a new vehicle, just for my own peace of mind.

For "normal servicing" (oil/filters/plugs/autobox) I do it myself for a total of an hours time max and about £35, using the haynes manual. Well worth it. Brakes I leave to a specialist, along with steering. Too risky for me.

goldspanners

get it serviced by your local independant garage, get the cam belt done, especially if its never been done, if you dont know or cant find out then get it changed.

ford specify 10 years or 100,000 miles which ever comes first on the cam belt, to be on the safe side i got mine done at 4 years old on 50,000 miles.

a local independant will generally spend a little more time on your car than the main dealer as they are timed,but unfortunatly these times are for newer cars where everything hasnt already seized up.

Sirbendy

goldspanners wrote: »

get it serviced by your local independant garage, get the cam belt done, especially if its never been done, if you dont know or cant find out then get it changed.

ford specify 10 years or 100,000 miles which ever comes first on the cam belt, to be on the safe side i got mine done at 4 years old on 50,000 miles.

a local independant will generally spend a little more time on your car than the main dealer as they are timed,but unfortunatly these times are for newer cars where everything hasnt already seized up.

Oh yes. I have a copy of the Vauxhall dealer TIS DVD here detailing all the models, parts, repair procedures and timings/charge level for them. The independent had mine all day, but when I came to collect it he showed me what was done, showed me the parts from it and made sure I was happy.

I like independents more. Well, this guy anyway.

as to 10years/100000 miles on a belt...stuff THAT. I agree on 40k..60 at the outside. It's FAR cheaper than an engine rebuild.

CarineG

Thanks for the advice.
Ford quoted me £256 for replacing the cambelt kit which I thought was reasonable. However, the service is a rip off (also £256).

After going through the service history (I have all of it), I found a receipt for a timing belt + fitting for £32. I know the cambelt itself is about £30 so maybe it was purchased and fitted by a friend?
Maybe I can find out from contacting the garage in question...

CarineG

Correction, what has been replaced is the drive belt. Does anyone know what it is?

goldspanners

CarineG wrote: »

Correction, what has been replaced is the drive belt. Does anyone know what it is?

drive belt,cam belt,timing belt,call it what you like, its all the same thing.

you will also have other belts which are easier and cheaper to replace,these will be auxilliary drive belts,running alternator,power steering and air con pump.

CarineG

I have just called the garage which did the work and it is a fan belt they replaced, not a cambelt. I thought £35 was too cheap for a cambelt!

I'll be looking around my area to see if i can get the work done for a reasonable price.

Sirbendy

Auxilliary belt or serpentine belt then..:) Fan belt is also an outdated term - they're usually electric now.