Another Newbie from Scotland with questions :)

[StuartieG]

Hi,
Hope someone can help me??
I recently bought a W reg 1.7 Puma (basic model, nothing fancy lol)
Really loving my car so far - just want to make sure and keep it in tip-top condition!

As far as I can see timing belt has not been changed, at 90,000 miles and almost 10 years old this is a priority.

My local garage has just serviced it but said they don't have the required tools to change the timing belt because it's a variable valve and I will probably need to go through a Ford dealer. They also said maybe get them to change the water pump at the same time, and also the auxillary belt as it's badly perished.
Does this sound right and how much am I looking at roughly for this work (do I really need to take it to a Ford dealer as I'd imagine it'll be more expensive??)

Also there is a slight oil leak in the rocker area - from what I understand (reading forums) I just need to buy and fit a new rocker gasket (apparently "a child could do it!")

The only other issues are the OS wheel cylinder is leaking slightly and OSF brake pipe is badly corroded, need to look at getting these fixed as well but does anyone have any idea of cost??

I'm based in Edinburgh btw, if anyone can recommend a good garage!

Any thoughts and advice would be most appreciated.

Stuart

 

[expatscot]

Am about to head out the door..... so not going to make a long post of it,

but the Timing Belt is a priority and from the age/miles needs to be done ASAP..... you really don't want that to fail on you.
I would not take it to a Ford dealer at all as they are invariably over-priced and often aren't aware of when the belt on the 1.7 needs changed at all (as they don't seem to have had the revised notification).

Getting water pump and aux belt done at same time makes economic sense in the long run (especially if you know your aux belt is badly worn anyway).

I think just the timing belt kit - parts and labour when I got it done was c.£250 but I would have to check, it may have been closer to £300.

No doubt some one else will be along with other info shortly....

 

[Midnight Blue]

Hi and welcome. The rocker cover gasket should be done when the cambelt is changed. Mine wasn't and had to be replaced when it started leaking a short time after. As for 'a child could do it' ....... a Ford mechanic cocked mine up and it had to be done again, including cleaning up all the mess the escaping oil had made.

 

[crystalpuma]

Pattern parts for the rocker gasket DO NOT fit!

My cambelt change was under £300 all in (kit and labour) at a Puma specialist. I didn't need the water pump changing though, so that saved about £70.

 

[red]

I fitted a pattern rocker gasket onto my FRP. It was the first time i'd attempted to change one and it was a success with no leaks. But it took me 4-5 hours as I wanted to make sure I did it correctly. If you dont have time/patience i'd not bother, a garage shouldnt charge loads.

Cambelt between 250-400 dependant on garage.. water pump.. £80? ish Aux belt is worth changing for the £10 it costs.
So i'd say not more than £500 really. £400 at a economical garage.

Welcome to the site!

 

[Anonymous]

Evening and Welcome

 

[yippeekiay]

I think my rocker cover was a pattern part (I bought it off Ebay) and all seems fine to me too. No leaks as yet...I think...lol

 

[StuartieG]

Thanks for the advice guys... Will phone round a few garages see what they say will let you know!
Stuart

 

[StuartieG]

Hi phoned round a couple of garages waiting on them getting back to me with a price...
Got a couple more questions after speaking to the garages:
1. Is the water pump change really essential? (I was originally told by my own garage it's normal to change it at the same time as the timing belt but other garages have questioned this??)
2. Also been told by a garage that's it's recommended I replace the cambelt tensioner at the same time?

It's a ten year old 1.7 Puma and looking at the part-service history can't see any of the above being done already.

Sorry if these are obvious questions but I really don't know, any help would be appreciated!

 

[Dal]

The water pump is behind the cambelt and is quite tricky (though not impossible) to change without the cambelt coming off so best to change it so as to save you the extra labour of doing it later for the cost of the pump (£30ish).
Definately change the tensioner assembly with a new bolt with the belt as that's more likely to fail than the belt itself. Also do the Auxillary belt as that needs to come off to do the Cambelt anyway (£20 ish)

 

[StuartieG]

Thanks, really appreciate it. I've wanted a Puma ever since they first came out years ago - couldn't be happier with the car!
Just need to make sure it continues to run as smoothly as it has since I bought it!

Best quotes so far
Cambelt kit (inc tensioner), Auxiliary Belt, Rocker Gasket: £310
Getting a new water pump (inc new antifreeze) as well takes the quote up to: £362

 

[StuartieG]

Just to say thanks to all who helped - I ended up getting the cambelt, auxiliary belt, rocker gasket, water pump and also the alternator pulley replaced (it was falling apart!). Total cost was £432.