Ford Focus (1998 - 2004) - 02 1.8 TDCi Timing belt or chain

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
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Mon 8 Dec 2008 15:32
02 1.8 TDCi Timing belt or chain - duncan22
I Guess this has been asked before but is it a timing belt or chain on this specific model. I am getting different answers from people I expect would know. Reason for the question is that it needs changing but the cost will be considerably more if its a belt rather than a chain.

Edited by Dynamic Dave on 08/12/2008 at 18:46

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Mon 8 Dec 2008 21:26
02 1.8 TDCi Timing belt or chain - hm
1.8 TDCi diesel engine is belt cam, (not chain cam like 2.0 Mondeo TDCi)
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Tue 9 Dec 2008 10:25
02 1.8 TDCi Timing belt or chain - Graemetdci
As stated above, it's a timing belt the change interval of which is 100,000 miles or 10 years, whichever comes first. Many would advocate earlier changes as while the belt is pretty durable, the tensioners can give up.

When I had my 2002 1.8 TDCi, I got the belt changed at 80,000 miles at a local Ford Rapidfit which cost £195 and included changing the belt and tensioners (which are exactly the same as would have been used at the main dealer next door, but for much less and with same guarantee).

What sort of mileage have you done?
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Wed 10 Dec 2008 15:46
02 1.8 TDCi Timing belt or chain - duncan22
Thanks for the responses. The clock reads 49,875 but I have only had the car for 4 months so I do not know its history... likely to have been lots of short journeys.... but just to be on the safe side I would rather do it now and know I am safe for the next 50,000 miles or 6 years whichever comes first.
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