2005 Ford Focus 1.6l petrol - timing belt replacement

[David Hearn]

Our 2005 Ford Focus 1.6l petrol car is due its timing belt replacement
(just passed 90k I think).

Are there any other jobs which make sense for the garage to do at the
same time? I've heard people say water pump in the past - but I don't
know whether that advice applies to this car, or whether there's
additional jobs as well which are also worth doing.

Finally, any advice to the approximate cost to expect (hours and parts)
for the basic timing belt change, along with any additional work
recommended?

Thanks

David

[MrCheerful]

you have to remove the cam belt to change the pump, so replace that and
the coolant, total should be about three hundred all in.

[alan_m]

On 02/06/2016 09:22, David Hearn wrote:

Both belts (timing and auxillary) on my 2001 1.6 Focus was £260 all in.

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mailto: news {at} admac {dot] myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

[David Hearn]

Thanks for yours and alan_m's responses, sorry for the delay.

My local independent garage (in Surrey) who I've been happy with before,
and is regarded well locally, has said that the pump doesn't come off
the timing belt, and therefore can (in theory) be changed separately -
although they did point out that having the timing belt off can improve
access. Point was that if it wasn't weeping etc, then could be done
later if it later became necessary and sometimes it's better to leave
untouched if not needed. I also understand that if coolant gets on the
belt, then the belt may need changing anyway.

I'd like to get pump done at same time, but the estimate for both belt
and pump was fairly high.

Their estimate (quickly done whilst I was waiting) came in at 3 hrs for
timing belt, with an Ina timing belt kit at £83.97+VAT. The work for
the water pump was estimated as a separate section, so if I wanted the
water pump done as well, that would be an extra 1.6 hours, plus £45+VAT
for the pump, and £13.50 of coolant (3 @ £4.50+VAT)

Their hourly rate is £74+VAT. Therefore total estimate inc VAT for just
belt is £370, and if want pump as well, then £582. The latter feels
quite high considering Ford main dealer using Ford parts said it would
be £700incVAT all-in, but I'd hope/expect that the 1.6 hours for pump
might come down if done at same time as the belt (unless it was already
reduced?), as much of the prep work would be common, and likely easier
to get to with belt off. Does this sound a reasonable expectation?

Also, I'm not sure whether there's some movement on parts prices as Ford
Parts UK have a complete Ford belt and pump kit at £92.40 + VAT
(http://www.fordpartsuk.com/shop/ford_focus_14_and_16_duratec_timing_belt_and_water_pump_kit_f_1780142_c_589.htm),
which is cheaper than the separate after-market parts in the estimate.
Also the belt kit (same part number) from Euro Car Parts website (down
at the moment) is cheaper - I believe this also included VAT, suggesting
that the estimate is probably list price?

Any thoughts? Being Surrey based I guess prices are higher anyway - but
what about the hours/parts estimates? Does 1.6 hours for pump with belt
off sound right - or more like the time independently of the belt work?

Thanks

David

[MrCheerful]

When the cam belt is off, the time to change the pump is about 15
minutes max. It is not possible to change the pump without disturbing
the cam belt, I have had to do this exact job on a 20k mile 1.6 Focus
which deleloped a squeaky pump ! Some years later I changed the cam
belt and pulleys, but as it had only about another 15k on the clock,
that time I left the pump alone. Normal change is at 100k, when a pump
would be very sensible, the coolant also needs changing at that mileage.

The whole job, belts and pump plus coolant should only take a competent
garage around 2 hours, with a feasible max of 3 if there are minor
problems. In your position I would look for a visiting cambelt change
firm, there are plenty about.

[Ian Jackson]

In message <8wGjz.753821$CF.4...@fx41.am4>, MrCheerful
<g.odon...@yahoo.co.uk> writes

>
>When the cam belt is off, the time to change the pump is about 15
>minutes max. It is not possible to change the pump without disturbing
>the cam belt, I have had to do this exact job on a 20k mile 1.6 Focus
>which deleloped a squeaky pump !

The 'might as well try it' cure for a squeaky water pump used to be a
couple of shots of Redex in the coolant (preferably via the radiator
cap, and not the header tank). More often than not, the squeak/squeal
was actually the fanbelt, which usually responded to a puff of WD40!
>
>
>


--
Ian

[Chris Whelan]

Ian Jackson wrote:

[...]

coolant (preferably via the radiator
> cap, and not the header tank). More often than not, the squeak/squeal
> was actually the fanbelt, which usually responded to a puff of WD40!

Really?

I would never use a lubricant on a belt drive. The correct way to check for
noise from a slipping belt is to spray water on it.

Chris

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Remove prejudice to reply.

[MrCheerful]

Which I did, finding it made no difference at all, I changed the pump.

[Ian Jackson]

In message <oNplz.1300918$sF.11...@fx42.am4>, Chris Whelan
<cawh...@prejudicentlworld.com> writes

>Ian Jackson wrote:
>
>[...]
>
> coolant (preferably via the radiator
>> cap, and not the header tank). More often than not, the squeak/squeal
>> was actually the fanbelt, which usually responded to a puff of WD40!
>
>Really?
>
>I would never use a lubricant on a belt drive. The correct way to check for
>noise from a slipping belt is to spray water on it.
>

The squealing noise from a fanbelt was sometimes not slippage, but
rather it was the result of how its surface rubbed on the sides of the
V-groove of the pulley(s) - ie a bit like rubbing a wetted finger around
the rim of a wine glass. If so, the only permanent fix was to replace
it.
>

--
Ian

[MrCheerful]

Which is why some cars use fanbelt grease (I am serious)