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When do i have to change cam belt:

I have a ford mondeo 1.8l turbo diesal M reg 1995, when i got car it was supposed to have head new cam belt fitted but since having it i have done nearly 20,000 miles in it, should the cam belt be changed, i thought it was 65,000 miles, but people are telling me 10,000 miles and 15,000 miles when i asked a mechanic he said he cant see it been 10 or 15 thousand miles so i am getting mixed answers, also i have heard that in a diesal engine once it has failed it can cause damage to engine, can anyone please advise me on this and also is there a way you can tell if its gonna fail , fraying edges maybe does it have a certain look when its not looking good and needs changing

bluesman8998 Thurs 15/05/08 17:05

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NORMANTHEDOG
Thurs 15/05/08
18:06

you will get all sorts of answers to this,i would say 40 to 50 k,but to be on the safe side,phone your local ford dealer and ask the service desk,then you will have the proper answer.

bluesman8998
Thurs 15/05/08
18:17

Question Author

thanks

Hymie
Thurs 15/05/08
18:43

My trusty Haynes manual for the Mondeo recommends the timing belt be changed every 80,000 miles or 5 years, whichever occurs first – with a foot note that this be reduced to 30,000 miles or 3 years on vehicles subject to intensive use (mainly short journeys or a lot of stop start driving).

Given that it will cost around £200 to replace the timing belt, it is debatable whether it is an economic proposition to pay for the cost of the belt replacement, or just run the car into the ground, and accept that if the belt breaks – the car is scrap!

Hymie
Thurs 15/05/08
19:01

In answer to your specific questions:-

If the belt breaks, severe engine damage will occur (whether diesel or petrol).

Although you could fairly easily remove the timing belt upper cover and observe the condition of the belt, which may show signs of severe wear – a belt may snap/break showing no obvious signs of weakness/wear, when last inspected.

bluesman8998
Sun 18/05/08
20:03

Question Author

after asking the answerbank this question it has made me more confused as it has given me 2 more estimnated miles to the list i already had , ive been told 90,000 miles then 80,000 miles, then 65,000 miles, then 50,000 miles then 30,000 miles, then 15-16,000 miles even 10,000 miles does anyone have the corrcet miles prob estimate it round 50,000 miles then

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