Ford Focus (1998 - 2004) - 1999 1.8 Timing belt concern !

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Wed 6 Aug 2008 12:31
1999 1.8 Timing belt concern ! - jp147
This question concerns a 1999 UK Ford Focus 1.8 Petrol model.

I know from various sources how bad it is to get engine oil etc onto the timing belt and tensioner etc, e.g. from the Hayne's manual and various internet articles.

On the one hand the thought haunts me that there could be oil on my timing belt from a rocker cover gasket oil leak and so this could reduce the life of the belt or if it slipped on the idler pulley could cause great engine damage. On the other hand I think about all the car/vehicles on the road today that have timing belts and especially the older ones which are probably contaminated with oil etc from leaks of one kind or another but they don't seem to worry about the financial consequences of a belt failure.

What are your opinions on this quandary ?
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Wed 6 Aug 2008 15:47
1999 1.8 Timing belt concern ! - 659FBE
Oil on a timing belt is to be avoided at all costs. Why don't you take off the belt cover and inspect it for contamination?

659.
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