My focus 1.6 zetec 16 vavle has 38500 miles and is 7 years old do i need to change the timing belt

ford escort/ focus engine 2.0 l spi sohc 1997-2004 has been identified as an intereference engine and that means very likely valve to piston damage
( auto data timing belt information )
note-- up to 2002 year Ford has not recommended a timing belt interval for changing
Ford has however recommended a replacement every 120.000 miles using the service history as a guide
however good professional trade practice recommends every 60.000 miles ( 100.00klms) and the replacement work should include replacement of the crank and cam shaft seals and idler pulleys involved ( the biggest destroyer of belts is oil)
recommended labor time is 2 hours
if the belt has broken then head removal and valve work will add up to 5 hours to that time

Do it at 60,000 miles, it is cheaper than a damaged engine-Volvo had different recommendations:
All models - 1999MY: Replacement of timing belt and tensioner every 80,000 miles or 8 years.
1,6/1,8/2,0 - 2000-01MY: Replacement of timing belt and tensioner at the following intervals:
90,000 miles/8 years.
186,000 miles/16 years.
1,9T/2,0T - 2000MY: Replacement of timing belt and tensioner at the following intervals:
66,000 miles/6 years.
138,000 miles/12 years.
210,000 miles/18 years.
2,0T - 2001MY: Replacement of timing belt and tensioner at the following intervals:
90,000 miles/8 years.
186,000 miles/16 years.
All models - 2002MY : Replacement of timing belt and tensioner every 96,000 miles or 8 years.
The previous use and service history of the vehicle must always be taken into account.

It is 7 years old or more, but not nearly the recommended
80,000 or so miles for a new belt.

You do the water pump because your in there anyway,
and it is quite an extensive job.

You will be having it done at a repair shop & only one
with experience on timing belts.

Your call. I would wait another year,then do the belt

It will be an expensive repair

it can range from 12mm to 17mm

ford say the same old get out ****,"when signs of wear apparent....."CHANGE IT AT 80K MAX with the tensioner.

i think it is 105,000 miles. They go much longer. It is a free wheeling engine in the U S. No damage will occur.

According to Ford the scheduled replacement is 120K

most timing belts should be changed every 60,000 miles

Dont know for pos, but almost all new cars have timming belts. except for v8s and a few v6s

• drain oil using allen key plug underneath gearbox till all oil is drained refit use new seal if old 1 is damaged then look at front of g/box quater of the way up is another allen key plug remove fill with new oil till it starts to run out hole refit plug and ur done