Ford focus timing belt

Scruff · 20-10-2010 1:38pm #1

i'm looking at buying a 02 focus 1.4 (yes, a 1.4) with 110k miles on the clock. The dealer has no service record of when the timing belt was changed and it isnt written on the cover. He assures me that it has been change as there are tool marks on the cover screws and they would only be there if it was changed, according to him.
i'm thinking i'd be taking a risk on taking his opinion. i've got him down to €3k for it but am wondering how much a timing belt change would be if i were to get it done for peace of mind.

mullingar · 20-10-2010 1:51pm

Tool marks could also indicate a cover was taken off to see what condition the belt was in!!

I'd wager it was not done.
Ask about a written guarantee that the current belt will last for the next 60-100k, which I doubt you will get.

20-10-2010 2:57pm

1.4
no service history
no evidence of belt change
110K miles
€3000

f that me thinks

bigSuzi12 · 20-10-2010 3:06pm

Run....don't walk

kippy · 20-10-2010 3:12pm

bigSuzi12 wrote: »

Run....don't walk

Thats a VERY pricey car.
I spent 5K on a 2000 110k miles 1.8 Tddi focus almost 4 years ago at this stage.
Service had just been done on the car, guy advised me pretty genuinely that the t-belt would need to be done in the next few k. Got the t belt done very soon after for a reasonable price. Car had a FSH and has been running a dream since, currently at 150k miles.

This guy looks like he is out to shaft you.

DublinDilbert · 20-10-2010 3:19pm

Scruff wrote: »

He assures me that it has been change as there are tool marks on the cover screws and they would only be there if it was changed, according to him.

On the cars at home every so often I check the condition of the timing belt, better to be safe than sorry.

If that's the type of crap he's coming out with, I wouldn't believe one work he says to be honest. I pretty much wouldn't believe anything someone tells you who is selling car, unless there's documentation to back it up.

Scruff · 20-10-2010 3:24pm

probably will let it go alright due to the lack of service history but would someone be so kind as to point me to the cheap ones that are talked about but never seem to be for sale? :rolleyes:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/find/cars/for-sale/Dublin/Ford%20focus%202002?source=all
nope, not there...and i dare not post the carzone link...

@kippy
what was the reasonable price for the timing belt change as a matter of interest?

20-10-2010 3:26pm

Scruff wrote: »

probably will let it go alright due to the lack of service history but would someone be so kind as to point me to the cheap ones that are talked about but never seem to be for sale? :rolleyes:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1616078

Haggling

It's a dealer too though.

kippy · 20-10-2010 3:30pm

Scruff wrote: »

probably will let it go alright due to the lack of service history but would someone be so kind as to point me to the cheap ones that are talked about but never seem to be for sale? :rolleyes:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/find/cars/for-sale/Dublin/Ford%20focus%202002?source=all
nope, not there...and i dare not post the carzone link...

@kippy
what was the reasonable price for the timing belt change as a matter of interest?

I think it was about 240 odd euro at the Ford main dealers. The only time I have used the main dealer to be honest.
Might be different details on a petrol engine however.

shawnee · 20-10-2010 3:35pm

DublinDilbert wrote: »

On the cars at home every so often I check the condition of the timing belt, better to be safe than sorry.

If that's the type of crap he's coming out with, I wouldn't believe one work he says to be honest. I pretty much wouldn't believe anything someone tells you who is selling car, unless there's documentation to back it up.

How do you check the condition of a timing belt ?

cadaliac · 20-10-2010 3:39pm

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1639507
could have big miles though......

Scruff · 20-10-2010 3:41pm

RoverJames wrote: »

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1616078

Haggling

It's a dealer too though.

i did haggle. it was a dealer too looking for €3250
so 2995 off a dealer is a deal and 3k isnt? riiiight.

and that car u posted was already sold. was talking to the dealer at the weekend, he just hasnt gotten down to taking it down. as was this other focus he has up for sale http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1626825

So let me rephrase it. What would a decent price for a 01\02 focus in good condition with 90-110k miles, service history and valid nct until be in peoples opinion?

Scruff · 20-10-2010 3:43pm

cadaliac wrote: »

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1639507
could have big miles though......

aye and being a 1.8 AND saloon tend to mean cheaper in Focus cars.
both of which i'm not looking for

kippy · 20-10-2010 3:45pm

Scruff wrote: »

i did haggle. it was a dealer too looking for €3250
so 2995 off a dealer is a deal and 3k isnt? riiiight.

and that car u posted was already sold. was talking to the dealer at the weekend, he just hasnt gotten down to taking it down. as was this other focus he has up for sale http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1626825

So let me rephrase it. What would a decent price for a 01\02 focus in good condition with 90-110k miles, service history and valid nct until be in peoples opinion?

Personally, for a car that is coming up on 9 years old I wouldnt pay any more than 2-2500, but I can be a tight barsteward. Rethinking,
Perhaps a car that is coming up on that age with the mileage you outline, a FSH, proper timing belt record and a valid NCT close to 3K wouldnt be too bad.
But not 3K for a car with the "shady" stories you are currently looking at.

cadaliac · 20-10-2010 3:51pm

Even if you manage to get one that you like - and are willing to pay up to €3k, I would most definitely get the timing belt done by the dealer (if a dealer was selling to you) or, have a full service history, if not, evidence that the TB was actually done.
Anyway, @ 110k miles you should be looking at the second belt pretty soon.

20-10-2010 4:05pm

Scruff wrote: »

i did haggle. it was a dealer too looking for €3250
so 2995 off a dealer is a deal and 3k isnt? riiiight.

What I meant by haggling was you wouldn't give him anywhere near the asking price, sure if you know it all I'll say no more. €3000 for a car of unknown service history from a dealer who talks out his arse is a rip off in most folks eyes unless you are a total f**ktard.

Avns1s · 20-10-2010 4:22pm

shawnee wrote: »

How do you check the condition of a timing belt ?

In reality you can't. A belt should be changed at the recommended mileage or time, whichever happens soonest. You can look at a belt all you like for fraying, damage etc. I don't think I have ever seen a belt that was changed at the recommended interval / mileage to look anything other than perfect bar the writing on the back to be gone.

If you are looking for obvious marks / damage to the belt, remember that anything damaging the belt will probably do so to a fatal extent in a couple of seconds of normal driving.

So, not wanting to be cutting across Dublin Dilbert, but change the timing belt at the recommended interval or mileage, whichever is soonest. There is no value in inspecting it. The damage it done when it fails (generally) is not worth the risk!!

bazz26 · 20-10-2010 6:19pm

This might be worth a look at:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201042199925817

Gavman84 · 21-10-2010 10:39am

Hi The interval on Focus is 100k or 10 years so if it was done it will be good for years to come. I had mine done recently for 180 by my local mechanic who works in CAB cork.
Mine is 1.8 tdci 03 but imagine cost for timing belt is the same on petrol. Im sure a mechanic would be able to see if it has been changed recently or not handy enough for you.
Gavman

Ford focus timing belt

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