Car timing belt

trial_07

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I am starting to think about replacing the timing belt on my Ford Escort ZX2 1998. The car has 125,000 kms, should replacing the belt be a priority? Are there any symptoms of a worn belt? And THE question: How much does it cost?

Thank you.

 

IndyMX

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• Feb 8, 2007

• #2

trial_07 said:

I am starting to think about replacing the timing belt on my Ford Escort ZX2 1998. The car has 125,000 kms, should replacing the belt be a priority? Are there any symptoms of a worn belt? And THE question: How much does it cost?

Thank you.

Click to expand...

Yeah, probably a good idea, best time to replace them is right before you NEED to.

If you can open the cover enough to see the belt on the side that has the teeth on it, you should be able to tell the condition.

Look for cracks and glazing. Good signs of a belt that needs to be replaced.

If I recall correctly, timing belts should be replaced at around 70 to 80 thousand miles... You are approaching the 80,000 mile mark on that belt. The mileage alone is probably an indication that the belt is past it's prime.

Might not be a bad idea to go ahead and do the serpentine belt at the same time.

Autozone here in Indianapolis sells the timing belt you need for $30 USD.

 

7

76GMC1500

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Oct 19, 2006

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There are no symptoms of a worn belt, it should never become worn. You replace it because if it breaks (which they do without warning), your engine will be destroyed.

 

XRpredator

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76GMC1500 said:

. . . if it breaks (which they do without warning), your engine will be destroyed.

Click to expand...

not necessarily. It depends on if there's valve/piston interference if things get out of time. Both times I've had a timing belt go south on me there was no other damage.

Still, I'd replace the sucker before it 'splodes on you, just because it's a tad stressful when you don't know if you had those interference issues.

 

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FruDaddy

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I have experienced a timing belt failure, it isn't fun (but the engine was otherwise unharmed). On some engines the piston will slam into a valve or two, but not always.
Go ahead and replace it, it will take a few hours. Get a Chilton manual for the car to make the job go a bit easier and go ahead and change all of the belts, since you will be taking them off anyway.

 

trial_07

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Yeah this is why I'm getting scared. The belt is cheap, but how much should the labour cost? Is this very long to replace? Thanks for your replies.

I just saw your post FruDaddy. You suggest a change those myself?

 

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FruDaddy

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It's more time consuming than it is hard. On a fwd vehicle, there isn't a lot of room to work. All and all, it is really just basic maintenance, so if you have the tools there is really no reason to pay somebody else to do it for you. If you don't have the tools, you probably should. I think that all you need is good jack and stands, socket set, and an array of wrenches (maybe pliars and a couple of screwdrivers).
If you are doubtful of your abilities to do the job, go buy the manual from your local parts store (they are usually $12-$15US) and look it over before farming the job out.

 

cnielse5

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I am former Ford Mechanic. That belt is pretty easy to do. but if you don't know what you are doing and don't have a diagram that at least does not tell you how to set the belt up then I would not recomend it.
I have attached a pdf of the workshop manual for that procedure.

I doesn't say anything about taking the tire off to make it easier, and that to take the timing belt you need to loosen the timing belt tension first. the hardest part about that job is getting the harmonic balancer of. I did it with an impact gun! other thant that just follow the instructions.

P.S how do I post attachments? I use to be able to. :(

 

Oldman125

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Jul 1, 2006

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• #9

FruDaddy said:

I have experienced a timing belt failure, it isn't fun (but the engine was otherwise unharmed). On some engines the piston will slam into a valve or two, but not always.

Click to expand...

The term is interference motor, wherein the pistons hit the valves when the crank and cam(s) are out of time with each other. Bent valves are not as catastrophic as one might think, but add to the labor bill tremendously.

The key is MAINTAINANCE. Just like everything else on the planet T-Belts wear out and break...usually without warning. Replace the T-Belt as outlined (interval) in the owners manual, and replace wear items related to the repair while you (or the shop tech) are there.

 

trial_07

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I won't risk doing this task myself, plus if there are any problems, I don't have any warranty. Will this cost below 200$?

 

Patman

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• Feb 8, 2007

• #11

trial_07 said:

Will this cost below 200$?

Click to expand...

I seriously doubt having it done will cost such a pittance. Maybe if you find a REALLY cheap mechanic but based on past experience I'd say plan on at least $400 (USD). I had a Mitsu 3000GT and it was quoted by several owners I knew to be an +$800 job, but it also included the water pump, front seal & drive belts. I actually still have the factory manuals and planned to do it myself since it really didn't appear difficult just about a 10 hour job but alas I no longer have the car :laugh:

 

oldguy

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We had it done on our 1998 Mazda Protege (just before Spider totalled it) which I believe is very close to the ford Escort engine wise. It cost us $125 US but the mechanic was a friend of Spider's.
We did it at 125K miles (2nd time it was done) as a preventative measure- figured since I was going into the hospital for a couple weeks and didn't need all 3 cars to get it done without Him having to rush it thru

 

trial_07

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I'll get it done when the summer comes. During summer I can survive without my car and I work so I'll be able to pay what it costs. Patman you are scaring me big time! Oldguy, from what I've heard in my local town, it should cost nearly 300$ (canadian). Why does this take so long to change (you mentioned 10 hours)? BTW I think Mazda made the motors for some Escorts, mines a Ford though.

 

oldguy

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I think Patman was saying that it didn't look like a 10 hour job but the car he was thinking of doing it on is a bit more involved then an Escort would be. Now in my case I can take a 1 hour job and make it a 10 hour job- gotta find the tools, then take it apart ,then run to the store to get the parts I forgot to get, then put it together, then think about did I tighten that one bolt, then take it back apart to check, then put it together again, then have to decide if that bolt laying over there was just an extra or did I forget to put it in, then...........
Oh well by the time I finish the 1 hour job it is now 10 hours later

 

Patman

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It costs whatever it costs. On the mitsu the belt is expensive as is the water pump. Figure $80/hr for labor at most shops and you get there quick. Then again other cars can be a breeze. Price out the same service on a Porsche and get back to me on how expensive you think it is LOL!

 

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FruDaddy

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Ford owns Mazda. So it's definitely a Ford motor. I would figure on paying 2-3 hours in labor to a shop (even if they can do it in an hour), unless they run into complications.
I haven't looked under the hood of an Escort in a few years, but I seem to remember a horizontal motor. The process of changing the belt sometimes requires pulling one of the front tires. Supporting the engine. Removing and engine mount and almost every accessory on the front of the motor. Often you have to take off the harmonic balancer before you can loosen the oil pan. Up top the valve cover has to be removed. Then the tensioner can be loosened and inspected.
This is why it can take so long.

 

trial_07

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Ok I see. What happens when the strap breaks? Does the engine simply die or does it do scary sounds? I seriously can't do this before summer. Thanks for all the info, I appreciate.

 

Patman

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Knowing exactly which engine is in the car would help determine if it will die a quiet and inexpensive death or a loud clatter of dollars (or Loonies).

 

Oldman125

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It will probably make something like a slapping/clacking noise and just quit running on the spot it the belt breaks. Trust me...you'll know you pushed it too far at that point.