Which Brand of Timing Belt Kits?

adandem

Hi, I have just bought a 2005 Ford Fiesta. It has done 60,000 miles so I'm getting the timing belt changed.
I am providing the parts myself as someone is fitting it for me, what brands are the best or should I stick to genuine Ford?
Many thanks.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

either genuin ford or GATES have the water pump done too that is a must.
timing kit, water pump, alternator belt. done!

adandem

Are the Gates ones okay? I've not seen many Ford ones online for my model.
I'll get the other things done too, thanks.

mikey72

I wouldn't buy it online, unless it's somewhere like buypartsby.co.uk there are far too many fakes on places like ebay. I just replaced mine, genuine vauxhall belt kit and water pump.

benham3160

Gates or DayCo, Ford use DayCo now as their standard belt.

BUT

Every timing belt I've ever bought (in any box, including OE ones) is clearly made by one or the other, and use SKF bearings, so don't overlook Unipart, Motaquip, Quinton Hazel etc as they'll only re-box a Gates or a DayCo kit. Continental (the tyre people) also resell some (normally look like Gates') kits, they're normally very good value.

Essentially, ring around the factors and find out who does it cheapest, then buy that one. If a factor is selling them they'll be good belts, as they wouldn't be in business if they were hit with 100+ claims a week from garages with faulty belt kits.

Too early for changing a belt on a petrol (assuming it's petrol) Fiesta in my experience, but I guess, but that's your decision. Check they will fit a supplied belt kit though, as it's the only thing I won't fit (along with clutches) unless I know EXACTLY where it came from.

Water pump isn't vital to replace on this engine (assuming it's petrol again) they can be changed without removing the belt, and they're not driven by the belt, but now't wrong with chaging it, and it is a lot easier to do it with the timing belt removed, these engines have the 'stretchy' auxiliary belts so they'll ideally need renewal.

Regards,
Andy

patman99

I don't blame you for doing a belt-change. Will 2nd the kit + water pump. The car makers skimp on costs by using water-pumps with cheap plastic impellers, whereas the replacements will have metal ones so should not need replacing every belt change.

benham3160

patman99 wrote: »

I don't blame you for doing a belt-change. Will 2nd the kit + water pump. The car makers skimp on costs by using water-pumps with cheap plastic impellers, whereas the replacements will have metal ones so should not need replacing every belt change.

I thought the Ford engines from this era all had traditional cast pumps?

This is a growing problem though, big issues with VAG vehicles.

Regards,
Andy

adandem

Andy, what is a 'Factor' and how do I find them?
Thanks

benham3160

adandem wrote: »

Andy, what is a 'Factor' and how do I find them?
Thanks

That's a car parts place, that for the public sells car parts, although normally they sell to the trade (and 'factor' the parts, but that's a bit complicated.)

Basically just bang "motor factor" in to Google for your area, it's the place the trade will buy their parts from, although you'll find the price that they sell you the parts at will be suspiciously close to what the garage would have charged you to supply them......

But, worth a try!

Regards,
Andy

Zeitgeist

adandem wrote: »

Andy, what is a 'Factor' and how do I find them?
Thanks

Motor factors, like GSF Car Parts

colino

I'd agree with Benham, but I don't include GSF, Euro, ebay sellers etc., as motor factors. Their fitments, quality and true price are too variable for me to recommend them. Go local and remember all of those parts vans you see whizzing about daily and use that factor, the trade do and so should you.