Having finally got my niece a first car (1.25 Zetec Fiesta Y reg with 35K) ive been told it's 40K, 80K and fords say 100K!!!!!

is it an Easy Change, (I'm about 3.5/4 Spanners on a Haynes scale!!!)?

I Dont know these units at all.. I take it it's interference if it snaps

if its easy I'd change it now, for peace of mind espically if your wanting to drive fast. Having had them break I know how much damage can happen, might even total the engine. Ford are off their rocker with 100k miles

hi,interval is 100k,not bad to change although bottom pulley can be tight,and once loose allows everything to turn freely so pin the crank with special pin from back of block by driveshaft and a bar along the rear of the cams. first.dont rely on the bar to hold the cams while you loosen the cam sprockets as you will snap the ends of the cams,use a sprocket holding tool.then remove and install.
On replacement the crank pulley bolt should be replaced and to done up to correct torque + degrees.

[Edited on 5/3/08 by jonesier1]

[Edited on 5/3/08 by jonesier1]

My V reg 1.25 zetec covered 75000 without any problems before I sold it. It was driven very hard and engine was fine. Friends 1.25 has just snapped the cam belt at 90000 and done a lot of damage.

I would not bother changing it until at least 50,000

just my pennies worth.

Paul

Isn't there usually an age limit as well, eg 100k miles or 10 years, whichever is first?

Manufacturers can never make their mind up about this one ---- personally on any engine I think 60,000 miles is about right unless the manufacturers says earlier. On low mileage cars a change at 6 to 8 years is about right.