Hiya all.

My girlfriend has asked me to service her KA for her. Not a problem... except the ford owners manual says that a cam belt change is due.

I was under the impression that KA's had timing chains rather than belts and so they don't need changing. Can someone confirm this for me before I go climbing all over her car?

Oh it's an "r" reg endura 8v 1300cc engine btw

[Edited on 21/9/09 by DorsetStrider]

Iv just tried every ka engine on auto data and theyr all chains.

If its the service book your going by fords use the same book for all models.

I thought that might be the case. Thanks Danozeman

Its a chain for all the mk1 ka

You are correct, the old Endura 1.3 is a pushrod lump, and the newer 1.6i SOHC unit used in the SportKa etc. also has a chain driven cam.

If it's the 1.3 be very wary when changing the plugs, they tend to seize in the cylinder head and it's very common to snap them off!

yep been there with snapped spark plugs but a little heat and a file removed then

Yep, and the cast-iron head tends to rust round the plug-hole, so it's worth brushing it away before you take the plugs out.

Snapped plug(s), piece of cake. No heat required.

Remove porcelain from centre. Spin engine over or remove with pliers.

Fill hole in centre of plug with grease.

Fit 13mm drill bit to drill.

Carefully drill out centre of plug remains until you just reach the taper seat.

Tap torrx bit/allen key/screwdriver head into threads left in plug hole and unscrew by hand.

The ONLY thing stopping the threads coming out is the taper seat, if this is removed then the threaded bit just wizzies staight out.

Using this method I could extract them in less than 2 minutes.