How to replace timing belt on Ford Focus 1.8i 1998-2005

Replacement Interval Guide

• Ford recommend replacement every 100,000 miles or 10 years.
• The previous use and service history of the vehicle must always be taken into account.

Check For Engine Damage

CAUTION: This engine has been identified as an INTERFERENCE engine in which the possibility of valve-to-piston damage in the event of a timing belt failure is MOST LIKELY to occur. A compression check of all cylinders should be performed before removing the cylinder head(s).

Repair Times – hrs

Remove & install:
Focus	2,20
Mondeo	2,40
Cougar	2,40
Transit/Tourneo Connect	2,30

Special Tools

• Camshaft setting bar – Ford No.303-367 (21-162B).
• Sprocket holding tool – Ford No.205-072 (15-030A).
• Crankshaft timing pin – Ford No.303-620 (21-163).

Special Precautions

• Disconnect battery earth lead.
• DO NOT turn crankshaft or camshaft when timing belt removed.
• Remove spark plugs to ease turning engine.
• Turn engine in normal direction of rotation (unless otherwise stated).
• DO NOT turn engine via camshaft or other sprockets.
• Observe all tightening torques.

Removal

1. Raise and support front of vehicle.
2. Remove:
   • RH front wheel.
   • Engine undershield.
   • RH splash guard.
   • Auxiliary drive belt.

   NOTE: If belt is to be reused: Mark direction of rotation on belt.

   • Water pump pulley.
   • Auxiliary drive belt tensioner.
3. Slacken crankshaft pulley bolt [1] .
4. Turn crankshaft clockwise to TDC on No.1 cylinder. Ensure timing marks aligned [2] .
5. Remove:
   • Crankshaft pulley bolt [1] .
   • Crankshaft pulley [3] .
   • Timing belt lower cover [4] .
6. Reposition:
   • Accelerator cable.
   • Coolant expansion tank. DO NOT disconnect hoses.
   • Cruise control cable.
7. Support engine.
8. Remove:
   • RH engine mounting.
   • Timing belt upper cover [5] .
   • PAS hose bracket and clip.
   • RH engine mounting bracket [6] .
   • Spark plug cover.
   • Spark plug leads.
   • Cylinder head cover.
9. Fit setting bar to rear of camshafts [7] . Tool No.303-367 (21-162B).
10. Slacken tensioner bolt slightly [8] .
11. Turn tensioner pulley clockwise away from belt. Use Allen key [9] .
12. Slacken tensioner bolt four turns [8] .
13. Unhook tensioner from metal clip [10] .
14. Hold camshaft sprockets [11] . Use tool No.205-072 (15-030A).
15. Slacken bolt of each camshaft sprocket [12] .
16. Tap each camshaft sprocket gently to loosen it from taper. Ensure each sprocket turns freely on camshaft.
17. Remove timing belt.NOTE: DO NOT refit used belt.

Installation

NOTE: Lower guide pulley (G2) not fitted to some engines approx 01/99 on.

1. Ensure setting bar fitted correctly [7] .
2. Temporarily fit crankshaft pulley [3] .
3. Ensure timing marks aligned [2] .
4. Remove blanking plug from cylinder block [13] .
5. Insert timing pin in cylinder block [14] . Tool No.303-620 (21-163).
6. Ensure crankshaft web against timing pin.
7. Remove crankshaft pulley.
8. Ensure tensioner unhooked from metal clip [10] .
9. Fit timing belt in anti-clockwise direction, starting at crankshaft sprocket. Ensure belt is taut between sprockets on non-tensioned side.
10. Hook tensioner into metal clip [10] .
11. Turn tensioner anti-clockwise until pointer [15] aligned with notch [16] in baseplate. Hold tensioner pulley in position.
12. Ensure crankshaft web against timing pin [14] .
13. Tighten tensioner bolt [8] . Tightening torque: 25 Nm.
14. Hold camshaft sprockets [11] . Use tool No.205-072 (15-030A).
15. Tighten bolts [12] . Tightening torque: 68 Nm.
16. Remove:
    • Setting bar [7] .
    • Timing pin [14] .
17. Temporarily fit crankshaft pulley [3] .
18. Turn crankshaft slowly two turns clockwise.
19. Ensure timing marks aligned [2] .
20. Insert timing pin in cylinder block [14] .
21. Turn crankshaft clockwise until it stops against timing pin.
22. Ensure setting bar can be fitted [7] .
23. If not: Repeat installation and tensioning procedures.
24. Remove:
    • Setting bar [7] .
    • Timing pin [14] .
25. Fit blanking plug [13] . Tightening torque: 24 Nm.
26. Install components in reverse order of removal.
27. Tighten crankshaft pulley bolt [1] . Tightening torque: 115 Nm.