ZETEC Timing Belt Replacement

[focusmmuter]

Hey guys. I put in my timing belt, tensioner, idler in November '10, with 113,000 mi. Followed this thing almost verbatim. I skipped the water pump. I did at a very leisure pace, took about 7hrs. I took off the crank bolt via a ratchet and clicking the ignition a few times. Cracked loose very easily. I used the cam bar and it was tricky to get on but it helped. Needed no timing pin, just painted marks on belt, cam gears, and crank. I was at loss when i realized how the hell i would tighten the crank bolt, but my dad ended up having a impact wrench in his junk stash so I lucked out. Good luck!!

[bizzehdee]

i got my timing belt replaced 3 weeks ago, was going to do it myself, but couldnt be bothered and didnt want to arse it up, so i paid a friend to do it, wasnt actually anything visibly wrong with the old one when we took it out.

[oshoguno]

I am thinking of doing mine this spring (220,000km) since I have to do the valve cover gasket due to an oil leak. My main worry is getting the balancer off. I do have a couple of questions that I hope you all don't mind answering.

Where is the best place to buy the alignment kit (online)?

When in the compression stroke the lobes of the cams for #1 both point away from the center of the engine (intake to the rear and exhaust to the front) correct?

Is there any other common problems that creep up? (frequently seized, rusted or stripped bolts - stuck parts - etc.)

What would my biggest worry be for doing something incorrectly? I have the "normal" zetec so I am not worried about dinging the valves.

I think this is a great writeup and found it (and will find it) very informative and useful. Thanks in advance for any answers.

[shrek20035]

very thorough and helpful great job!!! keep up the great work

[Jon_SVT]

Originally Posted by oshoguno

I am thinking of doing mine this spring (220,000km) since I have to do the valve cover gasket due to an oil leak. My main worry is getting the balancer off. I do have a couple of questions that I hope you all don't mind answering.

Where is the best place to buy the alignment kit (online)?

When in the compression stroke the lobes of the cams for #1 both point away from the center of the engine (intake to the rear and exhaust to the front) correct?

Is there any other common problems that creep up? (frequently seized, rusted or stripped bolts - stuck parts - etc.)

What would my biggest worry be for doing something incorrectly? I have the "normal" zetec so I am not worried about dinging the valves.

I think this is a great writeup and found it (and will find it) very informative and useful. Thanks in advance for any answers.

Lets start here....... BUY THIS!!!

http://focus.c-f-m.com/freeshippinga...csvtst170.aspx

It is guaranteed to save you about a million swear words, and multiple "second thoughts" on stuff you're going to do to try and jimmy up a solution for not having the proper tools. It's super easy though. It can only go in the cams ONE way, which is TDC on the head side...... and the pin that screws in the bottom goes in, you turn the crank until it hits, done... TDC in the block. Put your belt on and you're laughing.

I did mine at 190,000kms and my belt was literally on the verge of snapping. There were cracks in multiple places, and one long one that went the length of the belt. Not good! While you're in there though, you could do a serpentine belt replacement.... waterpump, pulleys and tensioners while you're at it. I picked up alll parts for maybe $200? check out www.rockauto.com :) If you have any more questions feel free to ask away. I did it myself, was extremely skeptical.... but after all was said and done, my car now drives like the day I bought it (at 54,000kms) and she's at 205,000kms :)

[boarder]

on the timing belt tensioner there is a zero point and what appears to be 30* either direction from this. I just had a friend do my timing belt and he had set it at zero and it ran fine for about a week. Than just the other day it appeared to slip timing again, would the tensioner being on zero and the belt 'stretching' after use cause it to slip timing again? Thanks!

[Missourileo]

It appears that it neve was in time to begin with. Did he follow the instructions on putting on the tensioner? Did he loosen the cam gears?

[Rob axel]

I am new here and loved this write up! GREAT JOB! I will be doing my daughters 03 focus Zetec belt soon and this is a great place to start...I also discovered this on U-tube...it follows this procedure pretty closely and assists with procedures... There is a part 1 and 2
Hope it helps anyone that is more "visual" with their learning process...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4IgVvfovhA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=rRKtcM6fLB4
I have done a couple of belt replacements on 2.0 VWs using the "mark and transfer" method.... works "ok" if the belt has not jumped or broken...I honestly like this method using the bolt and bar, and can understand why you would break the cam gears loose...as it was stated here earlier..."correct timing"...

[lhc_focus]

Glad this has helped so many of you.

It's been 102k miles and changed the belt, pulley and tensioner, water pump along with the upper and lower radiator hoses. One observation I noticed, the crank shaft key was at the TDC position along with hitting the pin. Did not notice this last time. Also found out the power steering pump shaft seal is leaking. No one had it in stock. It will have to be replaced soon thou. I'm finding small drops of fluid on the driveway.

[Focus'd]

I tried doing it without the timing pin and used a flat file for the cans but when I started it , it sounds LIKE my car super agressive cams. Lesson learned, I have the pin and cam bar on order from the OP's link. It deifintley sucks having done all that work for nothing lol.