cityhawk

I have a 2000 Ford Focus with a Zetec-E engine. Its mileage is over 75K. But I need to know the Engine is non-interference design or not because it is related if I need change the timing belt.

Anyone knows the answer for this question? Thanks.

Johnny Mullet

It is not an interference engine. Don't fix it unless it's broke.

hEaTFocus

Not sure when the scheduled maintenance says to change the belt, but it's not 75k.

I know some people have had damaged valves even though the engine is non-interference. I have no idea how it happened with stock cams and compression, but just change it at the recommended intervals and you should be good.

paddington

Hello

First post and dragged this up from the archives.

Have a 2000 Focus 1.8 Zetec, which is approaching 100k, its reccomended that I changed the timing belt now!

Having in the past ruined a car due to poor maintence, I really don't want to repeat the same mistake.

A couple of friends who I usually run car things by estimated the cost would be £90-£150.

The quotes I have recieved are £230-£275. I just need to check this is what the realistic cost and I'm not being taken advantage of being a lady!

If it needs doing and thats the cost then I'll happily get it done as I need my car to commute to work and the cost of getting this done vs engine damage and new car is too great!

Thanks in advance for any help, wish I found this site a few months ago when trying to change my fog light!

backlash1

Hi all
I don't know about you guys but my experience with these engines (1.8, 2.0 and 2.0ST) is that they're not interference ONLY when you turn them by hand. If you break a timming belt while doing anything over 1500 rpm, with the inertia involved in both piston and valve movement I can guarantee you that you'll bend most, if not all the valves.( we've done plenty of them).
So don't wait for your timing belt to brake, change it according to your owner's manual.
marc