£1.8k for a cam belt replacement

[cheltsam83]

have a 2012 ford focus Ecoboost with 56k on the clock. I've owned since new, purchased cash. It's starting to get smaller age related repairs over the past three years probably around £400 a year.

The cam belt is due a change and I have been quoted between £1.5k and £1.8k due to it being an Ecoboost. The car is only worth about £2.5k so it's a huge investment. I'm half thinking about just risking it and if the engine blows dumping the car for scrap.

I'm now not in a position to buy a new car cash. But there are some incredible leasing deals out there. Yes I don't own the car but if I buy a car I'm effectively throwing money down the drain. And even cars which are 18 months old cost a bomb and there are not many about.

What do people think
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I suspect the initial idea was that they wouldn't need changing as would be continuously lubricated, but it turned out, in practice, that they did, in fact, suffer wear.

This. We just got £5k for our 8/9 year Old Ford fiesta. Surely it’s worth more than £2.5k?

OP seems to be overlooking the very few comments saying to not risk this because of the safety aspect.

Try for other quotes, the parts are only about £150, it's not £1000 in labour

Ours was £750, it's a day and a half job.

There’s a guy on YouTube that makes videos of him replacing these. I’m in the same position as you so emailed him and he charges £1000 including the water pump, vat etc. He’s based in Billericay in Essex. I’ve not had ours done yet but he’s done a few of this engine on YouTube so I would consider him for ours. His YouTube channel is called Resurwreck Autos UK where you can find his email. He’s also on Facebook etc. I believe they require the car for two days. I’ve had quotes from Ford main dealers from £1.5-2k

@Oakdog do you mind letting me know where you got yours done for £750 as that’s a good price and looking for quotes.

Ours was £1100. We're near York. Since then we've had to spend £450 to get it through the MOT, now the clutch pedal is sticking and the engine management light is on, and showing a catalytic converter problem. Wish we'd never bothered!!!

The £750 was only the labour, I was replying to HerMammys post about labour costs. The £1100 was mentioned in my previous post.

@Oakdog its hard isn’t it. We only bought the car a few months back and can’t afford another at the moment. I had no idea of what a wet belt was and that it would cost so much or probably wouldn’t have bought the car. We had an engine light came on so I bought a cheap scanner from Amazon and it was an oxygen sensor by the cat. Luckily we had 3 months warranty so they replaced it. We hat a Fiat 500L before that and nothing but problems.

Use the quote tool on ' click mechanic' that will give a good estimate and you can book via them. They're like a marketplace. And a good way to find a reliable garage

@ChilledToTheBone thanks. Will give them a go. I’ve used whocanfixmycar quite a few times but the main problem I find is that they quote you for a non wet cambelt which is a lot cheaper than a wet belt labour wise.

@ChilledToTheBone They do take 30% commission off the garage so the quote is likely to be inflated 🙂- especially on a wet belt. We looked at using click mechanic to get some work when it’s quiet but they take such a high percentage off the garage that it just isn’t worth doing.

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I’m in the same position. I have a 2015 Ford fiesta and recently had been making some very odd noises when starting up.
The car is worth around £3.5k but the replacement wet belt is around £1.6k. Got a few quotes but they are all pretty much the same give and take £100.
it also needs suspension repairs, the exhaust is on its way out so it’s going to be a real money pit.
Seriously thinking about exchanging for a new one but can only afford it on pcp.
Shame. I quiet like the car. But never going to get one with a wet belt ever again!!

Look on Ford owner forums. It can be done cheaper.

Hi I’m in the same boat as you as I have a 2013 ecoboost focus and savoy just told me I need to replace the cam belt. Did you decide to get this done or lease a new car?

Check out EBay. There are people advertising on there now for around £700-£950 and some get great reviews.

Ironically just had this sorted.
Ours is a ford 1.5 diesel ecoboost.
The timing belt didn't snap but slipped, causing damage to camshaft and valves pistons etc. The car had done over 120k miles.
The vehicle is worth around 6k, repair was 2.7k with clutch and flywheel earlier in the year.

We chose to repair as we at least know the history of the car and wouldn't be sure with a similar 6k replacement

If its an ecoboost engine it will have an internal oil fed cambelt.