FORD FUSION CAM BELT CHANGE

[boro1986]

Hi guys just after a bit of advice.

I own a 03 Ford Fusion. IN the manual it says they suggest that the cam belt is changed every 100K or 10 years whatever is the sooner. This i believe this is rather a long time. What are your views. I have currently done 54K in it.

[redcrx]

my c-max is the same.
You can change it earlier if you dont feel its safe to be left that long.
I will probably get mine done at about 75k if i still have the car.

[kjn2]

Phew I agree with you on that one 10 years or 100K seems a long time, I wonder how you would stand IF it broke on lets say 60-70K , with full service history with regards to a partial claim from Fords, I am aware that they are made to last longer these days but that sure seems a long time to me, I personally would change it round about the mileage you have done now just to make sure as you are aware a costly thing to go wrong.will await other peoples comments?

[Davethedog]

When you get it serviced the mechanic should check it and tell you of wear.

[oscarkim1]

A mechanic can't tell if it has worn, they just snap without warning, I would change it withing the next 10000 miles or so to be safe.

[Gazza61]

I had a similar predicament with my Ford. It has the Endura DI engine which also has the recommended cam belt change at 100K. I didn't think it worth the risk to wait that long and changed the belt when the car was 6 years old with 52K on the clock.
In my opinion it's better to spend a couple of hundred quid now than risk damage to the head due to a snapped cam belt because that could cost 3 or 4 times more to put right.
I'd find a reputable local garage to change the cam belt if possible because if you use the Ford dealers it will cost you an arm and a leg.

[chas2008]

100k is quite common now, they wouldnt recomend this is they were not sure..belt technology has progressed since the 40k belt changes..

[AlBags]

I would change early .. but not too early. 50K Miles or 5 years is paranoid. More like 75K or 6-7 years.

[chas2008]

believe me garages would rather be changing at 50,000 they need the work !! but as i said 100,000 is becoming the norm also returning to chains on some vehicles. Sparkplugs can be 80,000 + instead of the old 20,000.
Before any one says it , no, a cambelt self destructing at 9+ years 90,000 wouldnt bring work in it would probably write the car off..
The only instance i would change earlier would be in a taxi or delivery type vehicle with a lot of stop start driving, where most of the stress on a belt occurs.

[Gazza61]

I forgot to say that my car does a lot of short journeys in a week, stopping and starting - so that's another reason I changed the cam belt early. Chas is probably correct when he says that if the car's more than a few years old you just throw the engine away if the cam belt breaks because it just ain't economical to fix it.

[TWR]

Hi like many on here with their advise, I would def change at least 50.60 Ks, it is not Fords that has the inconvenience if the belt goes, as said, stop / start a belt goes through a lot on this type of driving.