When is timing belt due to be changed on 1.4tdci Fiesta?

jase1

OK so every other manufacturer recommends between 60 and 100K and there's Ford who obviously over-engineer their engine to the point where a belt near enough lasts forever.

Hmmm. Ford? Not convinced!

Premier_2

jase1 wrote: »

OK so every other manufacturer recommends between 60 and 100K and there's Ford who obviously over-engineer their engine to the point where a belt near enough lasts forever.

Hmmm. Ford? Not convinced!

So you prefer cars that fall apart after 60k miles???

For your information, Ford do not over-engineer their timing belts. They simply base their lifespan on a number of variables, not least what they believe, based on their £multi-million R&D division test results indicate, in addition based on real life customer experience (where this is available e.g. on an 8 y.o. Fiesta diesel )
Yes, they often change their advice based on real world customer experiences.

If you think making a belt last the life of the car is unrealistic, I'd steer well clear of that 3 cylinder eco-engine they are close to selling . Not only will it last the (design) life of the car, but will do so whilst submerged in the engine oil too :eek:

Edit: Btw, Ford does not offer a 'one size fits all' approach to belt lifespan. The timespan I quoted above relates specifically to the car the OP was asking about

Stephen_Leak

I tried to do some research on this on a Ford owner's forum, asking any members, who had actually had a timing belt fail, at what mileage it happened. I didn't get as many responses as I was expecting, and it soon became clear why. When a belt goes, it usually effectively writes off the engine and the car. The new car might not be a Ford, so they were no longer on the forum. The few responses I did get were all around the 72,000 mile mark, though.

PS. And it's not the belts that are the problem these days, but the pulleys, idlers and tensioners. These were originally metal, and wore out the belts. So, they switched to smooth plastic pulleys. These are much kinder to the belts, but the plastic gets brittle with the heat from the engine and time. The result of one of them disintegrating is every bit as catastrophic as a belt snapping.

jase1

Stephen_Leak wrote: »

I tried to do some research on this on a Ford owner's forum, asking any members, who had actually had a timing belt fail, at what mileage it happened. I didn't get as many responses as I was expecting, and it soon became clear why. When a belt goes, it usually effectively writes off the engine and the car. The new car might not be a Ford, so they were no longer on the forum. The few responses I did get were all around the 72,000 mile mark, though.

PS. And it's not the belts that are the problem these days, but the pulleys, idlers and tensioners. These were originally metal, and wore out the belts. So, they switched to smooth plastic pulleys. These are much kinder to the belts, but the plastic gets brittle with the heat from the engine and time. The result of one of them disintegrating is every bit as catastrophic as a belt snapping.

This was the point I was making.

Apart from a few badly-engineered designs such as late-1990s Vauxhall etc, the majority of belts from any brand will last well over 100k. But to actually recommend that a rubber belt and plastic tensioner, no better engineered than any number of other designs, is good for 150k is monumentally irresponsible.

I changed the belt on my Ford at 80k/3 years -- and I was nervous leaving it that long. Not without good reason either -- my mechanic advised that both belt and tensioner looked quite worn. Worse, in fact, than a Mitsubishi part I had replaced at the same time where the belt had been replaced at 56k but the tensioner not until 104k. Interestingly, the Ford was plastic and the Mitsubishi metal -- yet the latter had specified intervals a little over half that of the former. Make of that what you will.

stevads61

Premier wrote: »

Official Ford recommendation: Every 150 000 miles/10 years - Renew

... although it can depend on usage. As you presumably don't know the previous usage, then sooner rather than later would be my advice too.

. i have just bought an 03 1.4 tdci with 130.000 it was ex police up to 100.000 so all scheduled services were done, as the timing belt was not due til 150.000 i have just done it, suprisingly the belt appears in good condition and bearings ok but i,ve done all pulleys and pump. just in case.

spicysomtam

Stephen_Leak wrote: »

I have a 2004 Fiesta 1.4 TDCi Zetec.

Ford recommend renewing the timing belt & pulleys every 10 years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Everyone else suspects that this is to make fleet managers feel better, and recommends renewing them every 5 years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first, especially on cars which are subjected to intensive use, ie. mainly short journeys or a lot of start-stop driving.

I also got the water pump renewed, as the old bearings have a nasty habit of wearing out with the increased tension of the new belt. The pump has to be removed to get the belt off, so this doesn't involve any extra labour.

All in, it cost me exactly £300.00. And the cost of a new engine is ... :eek:

Please, ring around your local garages for quotes and get it sorted out as a matter of urgency.

Water pump doesn't need removing to get belt off. I just did mine. I saw a bit of redness around the water pump bearings, so it was leaking coolant. So I put it all back together again and ordered a water pump. Belt: 16 quid, water pump 21 quid. Both off ebay and good quality. Replacement pump better than original (plastic housing versus aluminium housing). I highly recommend a water pump replacement, but it makes alot more work as you will need to drain the coolant, ideally flush the engine and radiator, and then refill with new coolant (probably need 2 litres of red OAT concentrate and then dilute 50/50 or 30/70). I would add an additional half day for all the faffing around with draining, replacing pump, refilling and checking for coolant leaks.

I would add that timing belts should not be overtightened. Do some research if you don't believe me. They have teeth so they don't need lots of tension!

happilymarried2013

Hiya guys,


Ford recommends that its every 150,000 miles - even in the older cars the belts last that long.


Most manufacturers recommend changing every 100,000 miles regardless of make and model. Having the car services properly keeps the rest of the engine in tip top condition so that looks after the belt as well.


You can buy a belt and pulleys off ebay and have them fitted, most garages will fit them for you and just charge you for labour.


My car is a 57 1.4 fiesta and I'm looking to change my belt after about 107,000 miles but like previous posters, my car was ex police and was kept in good condition.

tykesi

I'm sure the OP will be really grateful for that insight. I mean, the two years between her posting and your reply must have been an anxious wait for her!

forgotmyname

Terrible advice also.

Buy the belts off ebay and get a garage to fit them?

Who will you claim off when the belt snaps on the way home? garage say your supplied the parts your problem mate. Seller says nothing to do with me i onyl supplied the parts.

57 plate and not dont the belts yet. Borrowed time..Borrowed time......