I have the original 2.0 Zetec in my 1996 RS2000 and wanted to know whether the cambelt is a belt or chain and also at what mileage should it be changed.

I have heard from several people, some say its a chain and has a 100,000 change period while others have said its a belt and should be done at 60,000.

HELP..... The car has done 82K and I want to be sure the belt isn't likely to break on me any day soon.

Thanks, Roy

 

Okay, firstly it is a DOHC 16V I4 engine, NOT a Zetec. Completely different engines.

The I4 is a chain-driven engine and although Ford do not list a service schedule for it, I would recommend every 50k if used round-town and up to 100,000 max if used for motorways. What happens is that the guides fail rather than the chain and then everything goes bang.

When changing the chain, you must use a new tensioner plunger, new guides and most importantly a new bottom bolt as it is a stretch bolt.

Cost of bits (mainly from Ford) comes in @around the £150-£250 mark depending on how much you want to change whilst in there.

I can go into much more detail, but would have to be @ a slightly later time due to being @ work ATM.

 

Thanks, that's cool.

I brought the car because it had been owned by the same guy from new and had a full twelve service stamps on it.
The problem is there is no other paperwork with the car so I will have to ring around the dealers who serviced it and see if I can find out whether this has been done (unlikely) and if not it'll have to go in and be done (I've never worked on a engine b4) LOL.

Thanks anyway for all the advice. Roy

Any idea of any regular Ford meets around Hampshire? or the best place to find out about them?

 

Best to assume it has not been done. Better to find out that way than when it goes bang and destroys the engine......

 

That's exactly what I'm thinking

The wife hates the fact that I sold my 1.4 Zetec Fiesta to buy the RS in the first place so I don't want to give her any excuses to moan any more than normal.