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Timing belt replacement - is it due?

Why does my 10 year old Focus 1800 Zetec require a new timing belt and pulleys etc when the mileage is only 52,000 against Ford's recommended figure of 100,000?

Asked on 30 January 2012 by Peter Baldwin

Answered by Honest John

Because the belt is getting old and because mileage is far less relevant than the number of times the engine has been started. That is when a timing belt is under its greatest stress. Later Focus 1.8 and C-Max 1.8 had timing chain engines.

Tags: belts and chains timing chain

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