I dont remember right off the top of my head if the Zetec engine is an interference motor or not. I want to say it is not. However, I believe the manual calls for the timing belt to be changed at 100k IIRC, dont quote me.
If it were to let go, it could be a pretty disastorus thing, interference motor or not. The problem is that Ford did not make that an easy item to change for the home mechanic. I feel extremely comfortable working on cars and motors and the timing belt on the Focus was not something I really wanted to mess with.
Around here the dealership wanted around $350 to do the work. I have a customer with an SVTf and I believe they quoted him around that same figure, maybe closer to $400. Its a chunk of change to be sure, but if the belt were to break you would be out a whole lot more in repairs if not flat out engine replacement.
When I traded in my Focus I want to say it was approaching 120k and I had never replaced the timing belt. I made it abundantly clear, though, to them when I traded it in that this had not been done just because I didnt want it on my conscience that they didnt know and then someone buy it and it break on them.
____________________ My car is a synner! It uses Amsoil Synthetic Lubricants.
2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP
It whines a lot, but I like it
Dealer here wants 940.00 to do it and what goes with it, water pump ect. Found another shop that will do it for 540.00. Quite a spread huh. Had 2 heart attacks in the last 8 weeks or else might try it myself. Know any good starving mechanics in fort worth area?
