Question 1

What does a timing belt do?

Accepted Answer

The timing belt, or cambelt, is a vital engine component with a key role to play in keeping your motor running smoothly. It ensures the top and bottom halves of your engine rotate precisely in time with each other. 
Essentially, this ribbed rubber belt with teeth synchronises the crankshaft and camshaft’s rotation. It controls the sequencing and timing of the opening and closing of the valves on the cylinders in your engine to provide the right combustion. 
Camshafts, made up of the main journals, the lobes (or bulges) and the ends, control the valves in the cylinder head. A rocker head takes the spinning motion of an overhead camshaft and turns it into the movement that opens and closes the valves. 
Timing chains essentially perform the same function as cambelts but may be slightly noisier. The chains generally last as long as the vehicle (and generally require less frequent replacing), although the plastic guides they run over may not.

Question 2

How often should a timing belt need replacing?

Accepted Answer

There’s no ‘one size fits all’ approach for how often to replace yours—a lot depends on your motor’s age and condition. 
There’s also huge variation between manufacturers and different engines. So you might need a new belt after 4 years, or 6, or after driving 40,000 or 100,000 miles. Consult your car’s manual—most manufacturers’ recommendations are based on time passed or miles driven, depending on which elapses first. However, we’d always suggest treating these recommendations as a maximum, and erring on the side of caution.

Question 3

The law, vehicle regulations, and your MOT

Accepted Answer

The timing belt will not be examined at your car’s MOT, but the associated issues of running a car with a faulty timing belt can lead to severe engine damage, which can.

Question 4

What happens when we replace your timing belt?

Accepted Answer

Our efficient and fully qualified mechanics will disassemble the parts of the engine to access the timing belt and proceed to examine the timing belt, the belt’s pulleys and tensioner.
Wherever required your timing belt will be replaced and you’ll be advised of any other connected or associated problems arising from its malfunction.
You will also be advised of any other parts that may need to be replaced for the best operation and health of your vehicle.
Once the timing belt has been replaced, our mechanics will test your car thoroughly to ensure the correct running of the new part and make any adjustments required for its premium operation.

Question 5

What causes a timing belt to stop working correctly?

Accepted Answer

Like most car parts, your timing belt will wear out eventually due to cracking, snapping or tearing. Timing belts are also unpredictable, with few warning signs of damage. (Although starting issues and noise may offer clues.) Driving your car infrequently, oil leaks and temperature changes, among other factors, can all play their part.

Question 6

Symptoms of a malfunctioning timing belt

Accepted Answer

If a grinding or squeaking noise is being emitted from your engine, it could be a malfunctioning timing belt.

Question 7

You hear unusual noises coming from the engine

Accepted Answer

If your timing belt has broken, this can cause problems with your engine that lead to the vehicle not starting.

Question 8

Ford

Accepted Answer

The Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker, founded by Henry Ford in 1903.
One of the most long-standing giants of the motoring industry with an estimated asset wealth of around $256 billion, Ford became a popular household name throughout the UK in the 1960s with the introduction of the Ford Transit, the Ford Escort and the Ford Capri.

Question 9

How popular is Ford in the United Kingdom?

Accepted Answer

With the Ford Fiesta consistently winning accolades as the best selling car in the UK, it’s no surprise to hear that in 2018 there were approximately 5.5million Ford cars on the roads by the end of the year.With a proven track record for good value and sensible, practical driving, along with a dealership just around every corner, Ford has developed a method of sustaining great sales by giving drivers just what they need.

Question 10

Popular well-priced cars with a sturdy reputation

Accepted Answer

There’s a Ford car for practically every sensible driver. Actually, there are a few Ford cars for the more daring driver too. Take a look at the history of RS and Cosworth models, both making an impact in the world of rally driving and touring car racing.While they’re better known for providing family transport that includes the Ka, the Fiesta and the Focus, Ford also produces the lavishly equipped Edge SUV, and also the S-Max and Galaxy people carriers too.

Question 11

And for something quite a lot less mainstream, Ford deliver some muscle

Accepted Answer

From a very traditional and mainstream marque, it’s refreshing to see that they still deliver a great big slice of larger than life America—and the latest model Ford Mustang is no exception. If a Mondeo or a Focus isn’t really your thing, and even the RS models aren’t sporty enough, then the new Mustang’s brawny delivery of sleek lines powered by its 5-litre V8 engine could be just the thing. Failing that, the Ford GT supercar with its twin-turbo V6 won’t fail to turn heads. All £420k of it.

Question 12

Ford’s reliability and reputation

Accepted Answer

Ford ranked 18th place out of 30 car brands in the What Car? Reliability Survey in 2018. What appears to be a middle of the road result for a middle of the road manufacturer, could be seen as a sensible achievement from the American marque, as most of the best performing brands are Japanese and Asian car manufacturers.

Question 13

Recent Ford recalls and reliability issues

Accepted Answer

Various recalls have been made on Ford models throughout their motoring history. The following are a list of the most recent in the UK and Europe.

Question 14

01/04/2019 – Ford Mondeo and Ford S-Max (2010–2014)

Accepted Answer

Overheating of the engine cylinder head may cause it to crack

Question 15

06/03/2019 – Ford Focus (2018)

Accepted Answer

Bolts fixing front suspension may not be tightened to correct torque

Question 16

22/02/2019 – Ford Focus, Ford C-Max, Ford Kuga, Ford Galaxy, Ford S-Max, Ford Mondeo and Ford Transit Connect (2016–2018)

Accepted Answer

Clutch pressure plate fracture

Question 17

12/02/2019 – Ford Focus Estate (2018–2019)

Accepted Answer

The rear doors may open inadvertently

Question 18

08/02/2019 – Ford Transit and Ford Transit Custom (2017)

Accepted Answer

Incorrectly torqued left-hand seatbelt

Question 19

21/12/2018 – Ford GT (2016–2018)

Accepted Answer

The rear wing valve block may leak oil

Question 20

21/12/2018 – Ford Focus (2018)

Accepted Answer

A brake pedal hinge bolt does not meet specification

Question 21

19/12/2018 – Ford Mondeo (2017)

Accepted Answer

The roof opening panel glass is not correctly bondedAll recall information sourced from gov.co.uk data.

Car make and model	Average dealer price	Price estimate	Average savings
Ford Fiesta	£416	£323 - £395	£57
Ford Orion	£461	£334 - £409	£89
Ford Grand Tourneo Connect	£446	£352 - £431	£55
Ford Ka Plus	£330	£270 - £330	£30
Ford EcoSport	£575	£385 - £615	£74
Ford Streetka	£330	£270 - £330	£30
Ford Transit Custom	£330	£270 - £330	£30
Ford Galaxy	£527	£389 - £476	£94
Ford Sierra	£555	£397 - £485	£115
Ford Fusion	£421	£303 - £371	£84
Ford Sierra	£555	£397 - £485	£115
Ford Ka	£363	£288 - £352	£44
Ford Granada	£330	£270 - £330	£30
Ford B-MAX	£504	£374 - £457	£89
Ford Fusion	£451	£334 - £408	£81
Ford Ka Plus	£363	£288 - £352	£44
Ford Maverick	£704	£541 - £662	£102
Ford Galaxy	£473	£373 - £456	£58
Ford Ka Plus	£330	£270 - £330	£30
Ford S-MAX	£528	£377 - £461	£109
Ford Fiesta	£416	£323 - £395	£57
Ford Orion	£461	£334 - £409	£89
Ford Grand Tourneo Connect	£446	£352 - £431	£55
Ford Ka Plus	£330	£270 - £330	£30
Ford EcoSport	£575	£385 - £615	£74

Ford timing belt replacement

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Our expert insights into Ford timing belt replacement

Our expert insights into Ford timing belt replacement

What does a timing belt do?

Symptoms of a malfunctioning timing belt

How much does it cost to fix my car?

What happens when we replace your timing belt?

What does a timing belt do?

Symptoms of a malfunctioning timing belt

How much does it cost to fix my car?

What happens when we replace your timing belt?

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London, UK

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