How long can a timing belt last?

[jbartlett771]

Hi,
Ive just brought a puma 1.7, 1998.
The timing belt was changed 8 years ago at 60K, mileage is now 113K.

When I brought it I was under the impression that the interval was 100K or 10 years but now after i have brought it , I read the correct interval is 60K or 5 years for the VCT (and the 100K interval is only for the 1.4 and 1.6).

I dont really have the money to change it at the moment, also I think that even if i spent 300 getting it done, some other terminal thing could happen to it.

If I just put a brave face on it and forget about timing belts what would be the chance of it slipping/breaking? I am willing to take a bit of a gamble as i have just become unemployed ... i am not reccomending anyone else try this gamble- indeed i will get it done when i have a regular income again.

I cant be sure how the three previous lady owners drove they may have been quite careful.

Apart from the above worries the car is great to drive, truly a sports car and much better than anything ive had before. Its not lacking in the acceleration department so i guess the engine is still generally OK.

Thanks
Justin

 

[Dal]

Welcome along k:

Firstly, the correct intervals for a 1.7 cambelt change is 80,000 or 5 years whatever comes first. When the Puma came out, it was 100,000 miles or 10 years, but then Ford revised it to 80K / 5 years.

It's a gamble at the end of the day, and one which you'll have to decide if it's worth taking. £300 now or £400 + fitting for a new engine?

Although I've only heard of a couple of cambelts letting go (or more specifically the tensioner failing, not the belt snapping) You're more likely to get a crankshaft bearing fail to destroy an engine than a cambelt failure.

 

[red]

As you have said, it's a gamble.. much like the lottery; you could play for ages without winning or it could just be your turn next week.

The interval is 80k/5 years so as you say it's overdue on the age.

There have been A LOT of cars running for ten years though on the original cam belt because of the confusion over the interval.

 

[expatscot]

1.7 Puma is 5 years/80,000 miles.

EDIT: damn, beaten to it... must get quicker on this keyboard.

 

[vekma]

i know its 5 years or 80k but what if a puma did 5k in 5years would it technically still need doing. if its age the cambelt could have been in the shop for 3 years hence you would only have 2 years or is it because its under tension on the car.

 

[red]

I imagine it's because it's in use and more exposed to the elements.

And yes it'd still need doing, it's which ever occurs first... technically even if it'd never been driven.

 

[XIIVVX]

As Ford originally specified 10 years I would be pretty relaxed myself about taking a chance and letting it run to nine years.

 

[S14200sx]

for the sake of £300 get it done

a replacement engine may only cost £500, but once you factor everything else in it'll cost way more than that

my gf's engine removed last week

 

[jbartlett771]

Thanks all replies, appreciated!
Justin

 

[XIIVVX]

my gf's engine removed last week

Wow!

My 'girlfriend' runs on batteries. Respect!

 

[S14200sx]

my gf's engine removed last week

Wow!

My 'girlfriend' runs on batteries. Respect!

soooo your gf runs on batteries, so that would make her a battery operated sex doll, mate you're a braver man than me for admitting that on an open forum

 

[XIIVVX]

:grin:

In truth, many here have met her (wife, but still my girlfriend too) and can attest that she is actually powered by healthy eating and lots of white wine.

 

[djfresh]

get it done, they have crappy plastic cambelt tensioners that usually go before the belt does