Hi all,

So my 09 MK2 1.8 Focus has started making a knocking noise whilst running. It's intermittent, but mainly whilst idling. Appears to be coming from the belt area, but I've no idea what it is or the severity. Have tried to record in the hope that someone could give me some indication as to what it might be.

Any advice most welcome.

Thanks alot.

It sounds like a pulley bearing which could mean replacement but can be the belt so replace the cheapest first (belt) then try again then if not track down which pulley is making the noise and you will have a new belt to go with it.

11 minutes ago, F0CUE said:

It sounds like a pulley bearing which could mean replacement but can be the belt so replace the cheapest first (belt) then try again then if not track down which pulley is making the noise and you will have a new belt to go with it.

Thanks. Assuming worst case scenario and it's the pulley, given it's only started today do you think it's safe to drive on a 100 mile run this week. Obviously I realise that the belt and pulley could go any time. Just trying work out whether I need to get sorted asap and possibly cancel a trip away, or whether it's a case of it needs sorting, but don't cancel trip and fix when back.

Not advisable as it can dislodge the belt and then your car will overheat.

13 hours ago, F0CUE said:

Not advisable as it can dislodge the belt and then your car will overheat.

Thanks again. Took it to a local mechanic and he thinks it's the timing chain has started hitting the casing and I think that makes sense. Said that he couldn't replace it there though. Any ideas of how much I'd expect to pay to get the timing chain replaced?