[pinky131969]

what's your experience in getting the timing belt changed? before it breaks down, when it's recommended?, or after it breaks down? and when is it recommended?[wave]

 

[Blurvfocus]

Never. Never have it changed. Fanatics do that kind of thing themselves.

Seriously, the book says 120K. Unless yours is the SVT, your engine is a non-interference type, so if the belt breaks, you'll just sputter harmlessly to a stop. But then there's all the troubles associated with being stuck somewhere.

 

[02utahfocus]

Do it now.

 

[DanielW]

how many hours labor does this job typically charge?

 

[zx32nr]

i had mine done at pep boys and it cost me around 250

 

[DanielW]

cool thanks bro

 

[DanielW]

i had mine done at pep boys and it cost me around 250

did that include the water pump too?

 

[SVT_BMXer]

Do it soon as you can. Better safe than sorry. I did mine at 95K and probably should have done it sooner. The belt was pretty cracked.

 

[whynotthinkwhynot]

The water pump should be cheap, and won't add too much to the cost.

 

[Phoenix Dies]

I would do it every 90k if I were you. Slightly off topic but are the Duratec engines interference engines?

 

[javio1]

OK, ponder this. Do you think the dealer replaced my timing belt when the water pump was replaced under warranty on my 02 Zetec?[unsure]

 

[nomad327]

If the dealer did work on the car it is in the ford computer and can be checked. The water pump job would almost certainly not include timing belt service, especially if the mileage is low. Most modern cars the water pump is driven by timing belt, but the zetec engine has an exposed pump driven by the normal serpentine belt.

 

[Minx20]

I just had mine done last week at 112k. It cost me around $280 at a well known local shop that has lots of Focus expirence. I had it done since the alternator was being changed out and I had my assy tensioer and pully going bad so it just made sense to have the shop do it while they were allready in so deep on that side of the engine..plus I was without the car and did not want to chance needing to be without it again over a broken timing belt.

 

[plaster93]

$280 is cheap. I call the local ford dealer to get a estimate.....$560 belt,pump 1 gal. of antifreeze.
Then I called my usual mechanic and quoted me $560 also but he is putting in all new tensioner, pulleys, pump and belt, all ford parts.
Oh I'm at 114k now and its still going!

 

[whitefox]

I would do it every 90k if I were you. Slightly off topic but are the Duratec engines interference engines?

No need to worry about a timing belt with the Duratec, I believe the Duratec has a timing chain - at least I know my 08 has a timing chain.

 

[XcesiveSlyd]

I did my wifes at 82k and it looked fine. It took me about 1.5 hours with the book and all the tools.

 

[Minx20]

$280 is cheap. I call the local ford dealer to get a estimate.....$560 belt,pump 1 gal. of antifreeze.
Then I called my usual mechanic and quoted me $560 also but he is putting in all new tensioner, pulleys, pump and belt, all ford parts.
Oh I'm at 114k now and its still going!

Forgot to mention, mine did not include the water pump.

 

[faster_than_u]

why do you need to change the water pump for??

 

[Minx20]

why do you need to change the water pump for??

I did not need to on my car, but like the mechanic told me, it is a good time to check it for leaks etc. If you have the extra $ and time, it would be a good time to change it if need be.

 

[Mr.Bergner]

The water pump can be had for under 40 bucks so might as well do it. Rockauto.com has all the stuff you need though it can be fairly complex finding everything.

When I do mine, I'm doing the water pump, all the idler and tension pullys, the serpentine belt, adj cam gears, radiator hoses and 2pc Focus Central underdrive pully and water pump pully and 180 degree thermostat too boot.

And why when I type pully, it says its spelled wrong? Pully. Pulley. Op, there we go, Pulley. lol