Timing belt is it worth it?

Gam2015

Hi all. I bought a little Fiesta last week for £1500 for work and general running about it doesn’t have much history but drives fine. It’s definitely due an oil change but was wondering is it worth getting cambelt and water pump done at the same time for piece of mind as it’s a 59 plate with no history of it ever been done previous 🤔

Car_54

This is a "piece of string" question.

It depends on your attitude to risk, and whether you could afford a replacement engine if necessary.

sheslookinhot

Gam2015 said:

Hi all. I bought a little Fiesta last week for £1500 for work and general running about it doesn’t have much history but drives fine. It’s definitely due an oil change but was wondering is it worth getting cambelt and water pump done at the same time for piece of mind as it’s a 59 plate with no history of it ever been done previous 🤔

When do Ford recommend changing of the cam belt in terms of mileage or time? If it appears to be a good car otherwise, I.e. not a rust bucket, it may well be worthwhile.

Mildly_Miffed

Depends if you'd be happy throwing the car in the bin next week if the belt goes.

GrumpyDil

Depends on your view. If I was planning on keeping it for a few years I would at least inspect the belt to see if it looked like it had ever been changed and if I had doubts would look to change it.

If it scraped through it's last MOT and I was happy to risk the engine being wrecked then maybe not. 

kempiejon

It is recommended to change the timing belt every 60,000 to 90,000 kilometres or every 5 years, whichever comes first

Or so it said about my car, I changed it year 12 at 50,000 miles.

I know it was (supposed to be) inspected in years 1 through 11, I had annual services, never commented on. 

Year 12 the battery was flat following a week or so with problems starting and diagnosis new battery, it might be belt which was overdue anyhow.

400ixl

If it is a wet belt engine, then yes, no doubt, get it done.

Mildly_Miffed

400ixl said:

If it is a wet belt engine, then yes, no doubt, get it done.

59 plate, 2009 - it isn't. The wetbelt 1.0 Ecoboost didn't go into production until 2012.