[Aku]

Ok I just turned over 89,600 miles yesterday. I know i'm running factory belts still so i'm going to assume you all will tell me to replace them. They are probably fine right now becuase the car hasn't been beat on all that much but i'd rather replace them ya know like..before they break . Anyway just was curious if this is something easy that I could do myself or would it save me time and hassle to just take it some where and have them do it.

 

[nomad327]

The serpentine belt is pretty easy, make sure you have a diagram or make a sketch of the routing, because once the old belt is off, it is hard to remember the original routing to replace it. You are also at the mileage where I would start to think about the timing belt. I am also at about 90,000 miles, and was going to wait for 100,000 until I heard somebody here had a failure below 90,000. I'm sure you weren't thinking about timing belts before, but it gets real expensive fast if you have one slip or break on an SVT.

 

[Aku]

I was going to replace both at the same time. Figured whenever i replace one may as well do the other. Just not sure how difficult the timing belt would be (obviously its the harder of the 2)

 

[RhodySVT]

The timing belt is a PITA. When we did my friends, the engine had to be taken off the passenger motor mount and therefore supported from underneath with a jock while it was up on a lift. You may as well replace the water pump while you are at it as well!

 

[03OrangeSVT]

I thought the timing belt was very easy... only took about an hour from start to finish.

 

[Aku]

Is there like a how-to or a walk through or something? Not to be a total newb but I really don't wanna eff anything up trying to do it myself.

 

[svtguy88]

The serpentine belt is a piece of cake. I did the tensioner and the belt on my old car in under ten minutes. As others have said, just make a diagram or get the Hayne's manual (there's a routing diagram).

The timing belt is harder, but nothing to be too terribly afraid of. I definitely do recommend the Hayne's manual though. Take it step by step and don't rush.

On a side note, just because I don't know because I'm new to the SVT, is it an interference engine or not?

 

[nov173]

^^^ yes the svt is.. the reg focus is not.

 

[WD40]

There is a lot of information already posted on both subjects.

Here you go:
Timing belt:
Timing Belt Successfuly Changed! Tips for Focus Fanatics
and;
http://atomic.speculation.org/Graphics/ZX3%20Pics/Focus%20Documentation/Ford%20Manual%20Files/Cam%20Timing.html

Serpentine belt:
Serpentine Belt Q?

 

[svtguy88]

^^^ yes the svt is.. the reg focus is not.

Good to know. That just went on my Winter to-do list then.