Ford Focus Zetec 2011- When should I change the Cambelt

Mikes_The_Name

I own a 2011 Ford Focus Zetec which will be 5 years old in August which will have done about 38000 miles. I am not sure after what mileage or time I should change the Cambelt. I heard 60000 miles or 7 years is that about right. Any feedback will be be appreciated.

Hasbeen

Mikes_The_Name wrote: »

I own a 2011 Ford Focus Zetec which will be 5 years old in August which will have done about 38000 miles. I am not sure after what mileage or time I should change the Cambelt. I heard 60000 miles or 7 years is that about right. Any feedback will be be appreciated.

It appears the ford quote 100k or 10 years and also to get all tensioners and idlers changed as well:)

Silver-Surfer_2

Do the water pump at the same time.

bigadaj

I'd be tempted to do it at 7 years eventhough your mileage is fairly low. If it went after seven but before ten then there's little chance of any ford contribution and it would probably wreck the engine and potentially write off the car.

forgotmyname

100k or 8 years not 10 years for the 2011 car.

Low mileage i would have done it now at 5 years. 38k is not that low a mileage though. But i would be doing it next year at the latest.

PaulPonting

Not sure if it is 8 or 10 years but it does say 100000 miles. However I would suggest you changed it after 7 years which according to my calculation from the figures given, assuming you continue doing the same annual mileage, would mean you will have approximately 55000 miles on the clock. That would look to be a safe bet erring on the side of caution.

Strider590

Depends which engine, confusingly Zetec is a trim level now and doesn't necessarily refer to what engine is in the car......

My car is a Mondeo Zetec, with a 2.0 Duratec engine.

Basically if it's a 1.4 or 1.6 then it is an actual Zetec engine, if it's a 1.8 or 2.0 then it's a Duratec (which has a timing chain and no cambelt).

MarkRice

I have a 2008 ford Focus Zetec 1.6 and have just had my Cambelt changed after 8 years and 63000 miles. The garage said it could be left another year but it was best to err of the side of caution and have it changed this year. All working fine just left a bit of a hole in my pocket!!!. The garage entered it in my service book.

Heisenbug

The belt in my 2005 Focus recently snapped at 74k miles. Fortunately it happened whilst in the garage for a power steering leak and they've taking responsibility for fixing it. It should have been changed but its also odd that it snaps just after they've been working on it. It took them a while to get a replacement engine as the belt going early is common so I'd definitely be looking at 7yrs/70k or earlier.

Stigy

Heisenbug wrote: »

The belt in my 2005 Focus recently snapped at 74k miles. Fortunately it happened whilst in the garage for a power steering leak and they've taking responsibility for fixing it. It should have been changed but its also odd that it snaps just after they've been working on it. It took them a while to get a replacement engine as the belt going early is common so I'd definitely be looking at 7yrs/70k or earlier.

Sounds like a nice garage! They'd usually not touch it unless it was clearly their incompetence that caused it to snap (not replacing it when they said they would, or not advising it to be changed as per manufacturer recommendations.).

Wayne's_Woes

A friend of mine who runs his own one man car servicing business says on modern cars Cambelts have a much longer life. Old ford focus models needs to be changed every 5 years. It should be remembered that shorter journeys has move wear and tear on the car, so the mileage is not altogether relevant. As a guide he says the model in question should be changed either in 7 or 8 yeas or when 65000 has been reached if you do a lower annual mileage whichever every comes first. I hope this information may help.