Vehicle has done 135k with no service history given at point of sale. Have just had to change the brake fluid as that was giving a soft pedal due to water content greater than 4%. During  the discs and pads change I noticed that the aux belt is FordMOCO branded and also the crank and crank bolt has white paint marked on it. Did they mark them at factory or is that evidence that the belt has been changed? Is there a way to inspect the cambelt without major dismantle job?

 

It is a 2009 1.6 zetec petrol (100)

 

Tks 

If you're not sure, change it.

If you don't feel the value of the car is worth it, risk it.

FoMoCo = Ford Motor Company. As fitted by Ford at the factory and not often used on replacement parts which mostly have Motorcraft (Ford brand) marked on them.

It is apparently possible to flex the 1.6 cam belt cover back far enough to see the belt by removing the top four bolts. That way you can at least get an idea of the condition of the belt.

Completely removing the cover requires removing the auxiliary belts and some other parts.

Even if belt looks good (and I think it could be pretty hard to tell if it has been replaced unless very recently) you won’t know if tensioner has been replaced.  They can fail too. 

managed to get access to the car today (it is my Sons) and as mentioned above you can flex the cover enough to get quite a good look. Have ordered a belt and pump anyway. Could crank it a few times and see what brand the belt is but he has had to go out so had to abort. Couldn't see any cracking but as others have said belt condition is only one thing to consider.

 

Most garages mechanics put a sticker in the engine bay to say when it was done.

When I did my lupo I scratched belt changed with date and mileage in the top of cover.  But anyone selling a car could do that or add a sticker when it really hasn’t been done just to get more money.  When i did my previous fiesta I took photo of new belt in place without cover on with chassis number in the same shot as probably the best proof that it had been done.

Checked the other one this has done 64k and looks bad. That is now off the road waiting to be done

10 minutes ago, scoobydo123 said:

Checked the other one this has done 64k and looks bad. That is now off the road waiting to be done

Looks like you've caught that one just in time!  

How many years old is that belt?

At a guess it is original (2006 car) but have no record of any service history as it was purchased from a twit who buys and sells damaged repairable vehicles. What he doesnt do is service the vehicles prior to selling. He prides himself on selling safe vehicles apparently! Funny how the first time one of them was took on an extended run the brake pedal went soft due to the moisture content of the brake fluid. Total numpty wouldnt have him build a meccano set let alone these vehicles he sells things you find out after purchase. Thought would purchase from a dealer for added protection but everything is wear and tear or a fuse :-) This was a two owner car 

 

Mines gone to my mech for its MOT and I've asked him to give the belts a once over, it's low mileage 38457 but its done the years for a 2007. Will find out in a bit, he knows me well and I always err on the side of safety.

@JImpsterget a picture would be interesting if it is the same belt.

44 minutes ago, scoobydo said:

@JImpsterget a picture would be interesting if it is the same belt.

I can try, he usually just rings say come get. when i get there shows me a pile of bits, which he knows i'm not bothered about as i trust him, and keep telling him so. 

in the pile of bits take the cambelt and lets see what you have. If he doesnt do the cambelt then as long as you have a basic toolkit with 8mm socket you can take a peak yourself to see how it looks. Price of cambelt change seems to be about £280. I recently done a 1.4 Fiesta job wasnt too bad think these are the same.

 

I know on my previous 2005 model he did belts, water-pump etc and a couple of other bit and charged me £400 all in, we don'.t do receipts and depends where he is in his financial month not necessarily VAT. will try

There seem to be a lot of Mk2s about with no record of the belt ever having been changed.

Ford recommended whichever came first of 100k Miles or 8 Years for the factory fitted belt. It seems that a lot of owners now risk it due to the age and low value.

I looked at loads online and finally chose the one I bought as it had documented proof that the belt was within its service life.

The small independent garage and MOT centre I have been using for years said they could do the belt for £160 plus VAT. I assume that didn't include changing the water pump. Unlike some engines, this pump is driven by an auxiliary belt so can't break the timing belt if it seizes.

My mechanic who I have used for years says only way to know a cam belt has been changed is to change it

he wouldn’t look at one and say yes it’s been changed it’s his reputation 

if in doubt change it 

I asked him how to tell if cam belt had been changed that was what he told me so I’m now purchasing a kit for him to replace it 

 

Just had mine done, along with the water-pump and a mini service. He put the sticker on and I've added the invoice to the cars history paperwork that i have.