Hi all I’m new to the form 

I have just got a ford focus st-line 1.5 eco blue 68 plate 92k diesel 

just been serviced and Cambelt and water pump done 

mechanic said that these cam chains can snap ( I have 7mm one ) , what’s the chances though ?

 

I have a work van same engine 1.5 68 plates ecoblue connect what’s done 170k miles no issues 

I feel like spending £1200 including parts / labour to upgrade the 8mm chain might be excessive on a £8k car ! 
aswell  as my van is running a dream 

 

Amy advice would be welcomed 

 

 

Interesting to hear your van's done 170k on the original chain.

Unfortunately we're not sure what causes them to snap.  Doesn't seem to be a faulty batch as they snap on different build years.  Can't think why servicing would help the chain last longer, as long as it's got some oil to lubricate it shouldn't really matter if it's a bit contaminated and degraded (unlike for wetbelts).

I do agree with you that it's not worth the cost of upgrading on a car if this age and mileage.  Though being completely honest, I would be concerned about the chain snapping at some point.

Yes my thoughts is my van is limited to 70mph and the chain hasn’t had a major tension through its life. Iv had it since 2023 and done 60k myself 

My thoughts is maybe keeping it 3 months and getting a 2.3 eco boost st 

or are them engines problematic aswell 

 

My van is giving me hope for both engines haha 

 

49 minutes ago, Mr diggyf said:

Yes my thoughts is my van is limited to 70mph and the chain hasn’t had a major tension through its life. Iv had it since 2023 and done 60k myself 

My thoughts is maybe keeping it 3 months and getting a 2.3 eco boost st 

or are them engines problematic aswell 

 

I don't think many UK 1.5 diesels are being driven much over 70mph regularly so I'm not convinced the limiter would make much difference either.

The 2.3 ST seems to be reliable.  The main issue on them is headgasket failure.  But we see far more snapped chains and wetbelts on other engines than we do headgaskets on those.  Of course, there are a lot more standard models on the road than ST's, so that's not a perfect test.

4 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

The 2.3 ST seems to be reliable

That's my impression - it's the version in the Mk 3 RS that had the issues. 

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/business/analysis-ford-focus-rs-engine-problem

Best to have a look on https://www.focusstoc.com/ for more ST owners experiences (as well as on here, of course).

7 hours ago, Mr diggyf said:

Yes my thoughts is my van is limited to 70mph and the chain hasn’t had a major tension through its life.

The same van in Wales should last forever 🤣

Quick question what's a Ford Model: Odoha ?