Yet another timing belt interval advice

avantra

I own a 2007 Ford Fusion with the 1.4 Duratec petrol lump.

So far it has done 64,000 miles mostly out of town, an ex motability car with full documented Ford service history, the car manual say it is an elastic long life timing belt that needs changing every 100k miles or 10 years.

Haynes manual for the Fiesta (same engine) of that ilk give the same advice as they always do which is half the life the manufacture set (ie 50k).

I spoke to 3 garages now (1 Ford RapidFit and 2 local independent) and all said the same thing, these belts are really good for up to 100k.

Does anyone here who owns a car with this engine can say from experience that this is the case or did you changed it sooner. In the past all my cars usually had the manufacture time set to 40-60k miles ,I never had a car with such long belt change intervals and this is why I am asking.

If changed, can you please tell me how much you paid ? I am looking for several quotes if I decide to do it when the MOT is due in April.

Weird_Nev

If the manufaturer and garage specify 100k , I'd be happy to stick to that. It wouldn't have been signed off if there was any significant risk (statistically speaking, not on a case by case basis) if it wasn't good for the specified life.

If it's playing on your mind and you plan on keeping the car for a while, then change it, but I'd suggest there's no need.

Notmyrealname

I had a Mondeo that said 100k. It jumped a couple of teeth before it got to that. I would personally change it at some point in the next year. It'll be 5 years old by then and going for 80k. Many manufacturers are around that and you'll have peace of mind knowing its been done. Make sure you go for a full belt and pulley kit, not just the belt.

mikey72

How long are you keeping it?
I you've going to trade it in next year, it may well last.
If you're keeping it to 120,000 miles, get it done now, and you'll still only paying for 1 belt change in the life of the car.

avantra

mikey72 wrote: »

How long are you keeping it?
I you've going to trade it in next year, it may well last.
If you're keeping it to 120,000 miles, get it done now, and you'll still only paying for 1 belt change in the life of the car.

I always run my cars to the ground. Considering that Warranty Direct gives the Fusion a very high mark of 31 (better than many Toyota's) it's probably going to live another 10 years the way I drive and keep my cars.

mikey72

So, that's 14 years ownership, I'd do it at at most 7 years, and look to sell it when it comes up to the second time.
Or on the milage, it'll be 180k, so again 90k, or two or three years time.
Personally, mine get changed at about the milage and age of yours though, regardless of what the book says.
(even if you do it now, it'll only be two, or maybe three changes rather than one or two for the time you own the car, so an extra £200 or £300 over the 14 years is still a good investment, as opposed to scrapping it off)

poppasmurf_bewdley

Notmyrealname wrote: »

I had a Mondeo that said 100k. It jumped a couple of teeth before it got to that. I would personally change it at some point in the next year. It'll be 5 years old by then and going for 80k. Many manufacturers are around that and you'll have peace of mind knowing its been done. Make sure you go for a full belt and pulley kit, not just the belt.

I've got a Mondeo Mk4 2.0 TDCi. I was expecting a belt change at 120k but on checking with the FordEtis website I found that my car (a Ghia Automatic) required a change at 62.5k - half that of the manual box.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

if your concerned have them changed for peice of mind.

TBH i cant see a water pump living for over 100k if it does its on borrowed time.

i changed my belt and waterpump before the manufacturers intervals one tensioner was stiff and a slight leak to my water pump not allot but a leak all the same, i considdered myself a lucky man a seized tensioner coud of snapped the belt, and a failing water pump could have suffered the same as well as cooking up the engine.

i would get it done if you intend to keep it

pendulum

I ran my Fiesta all the way up to 97k and 10 years before selling it, still on the original cambelt. Drove it hard too! They can make the interval but the closer you get, the more risk you take, and in the end it's down to you: do you feel lucky punk?

Notmyrealname

poppasmurf_bewdley wrote: »

I've got a Mondeo Mk4 2.0 TDCi. I was expecting a belt change at 120k but on checking with the FordEtis website I found that my car (a Ghia Automatic) required a change at 62.5k - half that of the manual box.

Hmmm. I have a MK3 Mondeo 2.0 TDCi and its on a chain. If the new ones are on a belt, I might have to reconsider my plans and maybe just get another last production run of the MK3 with lower miles...

poppasmurf_bewdley

Notmyrealname wrote: »

Hmmm. I have a MK3 Mondeo 2.0 TDCi and its on a chain. If the new ones are on a belt, I might have to reconsider my plans and maybe just get another last production run of the MK3 with lower miles...

My Mk3 Mondeo had a chain as well, so it is a retrograde step by Ford to make the Mk4 with a belt. And at a main dealer price of £550 to do the job, it's a rip-off as well.

As the 2.0 TDCi engine is a Peugot anyway, it may be cheaper to go via them for the job.