I have a focus 1.6 zetec petrol engine which has done 24,000 miles since new in 2011. Just back from the MOT with no issues. I happened to chat to the mechanic on my way out and he asked me if the timing belt had been changed. It hasn't. I did a little research and found some sites said 8 years and others said 10. Strangely, the Haynes manual says 60,000 miles for the timing belt, but no time period and 100,000 miles or 8 years for the auxillary belt. I'm guessing I need to get it sorted asap, but some information from experienced members would be good to have. Do the tensioners and water pump also need to be replaced ? Any ideas about cost would also be appreciated. I don't intend taking it to a main dealer and will look for a smaller garage. The garage I have been using for the last 25 years has closed. It's been a great car, with only tyres and a battery needing replacement since new so I intend to keep it for a few more years.

I assume it's an early Mk3 with the 1.6 Ti-VCT engine, not a late Mk2 and not a 1.6 EcoBoost?

There were a few interval changes but yours should be 8 years or 100k for a 2011.

Tensioners should replaced.  Waterpump doesn't have to be as it's not run off the cambelt but as you intend to keep the car a while, you may as well have it done anyway.

Another member with the same engine has recently had a quote of £400 for the belt and pump done on this engine in London which is a fair price imo.  

I'd say get it done as soon as you can, more for peace of mind than anything else. Age and lack of use can be more of an issue than high mileage. If the car has been sitting for a long time without moving the belt could get stiff and start to get brittle quicker than a belt on a car that has had a lot more use.

8 years or 100k seems a long interval. 

 

When I had my mk2 it had passed the 8 year mark but had only 69000 on it So I got the cam belt done. I done the aux belt myself as that's simple enough the water pump etc is separate I did not change that and somebody is still driving it about strong today. Going by Ford etis for my old car here is the 8 years schedule. 

Thanks for the replies. I will make it a priority and get it booked in next week.

Hello Folks, Hope I not too late to post this.  ????  Regarding the above topic of Cam Belt and Water pump changes.  I have just become the "proud" ??  owner of a 61 plate 2011 Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec (125) (whatever that means) engine. It has done 91800 miles and the last recorded change was at 71000 in Feb 2020. (5 years and 20k). The previous owner replied to my inquiry as to its history and have no reason to suspect he was lying. AS a Virgin to Ford cars and subsequent service intervals, except for my own peace of mind would you / anyone here, suggest I get the belt / pump changed as no handbook came with the sale and therefore I am unaware of the suggested service interval.  Any ideas where I can obtain / download a handbook with the aforementioned service schedule would be appreciated as well as thoughts on the aforementioned cam belt change.  Previous car have NOT needed the change due to chain driven cams. Beginning to wish I had stuck with them looking at the quoted prices which no doubt will have increased since publication. Any thoughts (polite ones only) appreciated on the above.  Thanks.         

23 hours ago, Paul-Ford said:

Hello Folks, Hope I not too late to post this.  ????  Regarding the above topic of Cam Belt and Water pump changes.  I have just become the "proud" ??  owner of a 61 plate 2011 Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec (125) (whatever that means) engine. It has done 91800 miles and the last recorded change was at 71000 in Feb 2020. (5 years and 20k). The previous owner replied to my inquiry as to its history and have no reason to suspect he was lying. AS a Virgin to Ford cars and subsequent service intervals, except for my own peace of mind would you / anyone here, suggest I get the belt / pump changed as no handbook came with the sale and therefore I am unaware of the suggested service interval.  Any ideas where I can obtain / download a handbook with the aforementioned service schedule would be appreciated as well as thoughts on the aforementioned cam belt change.  Previous car have NOT needed the change due to chain driven cams. Beginning to wish I had stuck with them looking at the quoted prices which no doubt will have increased since publication. Any thoughts (polite ones only) appreciated on the above.  Thanks.         

I have a copy of a Mk3 Haynes manual that someone at work gave me.

That says that Ford's recommended belt interval for this engine is every 100,000 Miles or 8 years. 

Haynes recommend every 80,000 miles. 

There are a few handbooks on ebay. For example this one. 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/156581547615

It appears that some sellers are wrongly advertising Mk2 handbooks as Mk3. These have a blue coloured cover photo.