auxiliary belt

Conscript · 25 Jun 2009 at 22:33

wijcc said:
another question, when you guys change the timing belt do you just change the timing belt or use a timing belt kit and change the pullies etc too?

I have no idea, it's not something I'd do myself. That's something I'd leave to a garage. In the Focus, the timing belt shouldn't need changing until 100K miles/10 years though.

Fido McNasty · 25 Jun 2009 at 22:35

Shouldn't need to worry about the pulleys unless one is damaged. Should all good to go for the life of the engine.

Unless Ford are making plastic ones now.

Nomisf · 25 Jun 2009 at 22:37

wijcc said:
another question, when you guys change the timing belt do you just change the timing belt or use a timing belt kit and change the pullies etc too?

Personally when i do a timing belt its always the belt and tensioner pulley, and possibly the water pump if applicable (always check it spins freely and isnt leaking around the housing)

wijcc · 25 Jun 2009 at 22:40

ford recommend 10 years or 100K miles, but i have read many people change at 60K miles, as they have been known to snap at that kind of milage???

Janesy B · 26 Jun 2009 at 00:22

100k or ten years is slightly optimistic and if they do fail it's pretty bad so it's worth playing it safe and getting it done at the 60k mark.

BigglesPiP · 26 Jun 2009 at 00:29

It's a name for a belt which does not power the camshaft/s. Can be called a fan belt/drive belt/auxiliary belt.

What it powers varies from car to car.

You can also get balancer shaft belts which aren't really an aux. belt as the balancer shaft/s need to remain in sync. with the motor.

miniyazz · 26 Jun 2009 at 08:38

Janesy B said:
100k or ten years is slightly optimistic and if they do fail it's pretty bad so it's worth playing it safe and getting it done at the 60k mark.

Do they fail just like that, or do they usually give that screechy warning sound?

Janesy B · 26 Jun 2009 at 08:56

No but 100k or ten years is a bit optimistic and it's always best to be on the safe side.

The screeching is normally the fan belt/aux belt. Cambelts should never screech.

Nomisf · 26 Jun 2009 at 10:42

Janesy B said:
Cambelts should never screech.

And if they do , or appear to , then its almost definatly the cambelt tensioner - which if it makes any noise should be replaced immediatly.

Dogbreath · 26 Jun 2009 at 12:00

Nomisf said:
And if they do , or appear to , then its almost definatly the cambelt tensioner -

Or the water pump which is driven by the timing belt on many engines.

wijcc · 29 Jul 2009 at 11:42

do/should i change the waterpump as well when i change the timing belt? My focus has now just passed 60K miles

BigglesPiP · 29 Jul 2009 at 17:40

wijcc said:
do/should i change the waterpump as well when i change the timing belt? My focus has now just passed 60K miles

Would probably last till the next belt, but for the small cost now vs the large cost between belt changes, I would do it now.