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So as I posted in the What car do you have thread, I recently bought a '99 Ford Escort ZX2 Sport. It has 130,400 miles on it. I discovered that the recommended interval for the timing belt replacement is every 120k. Unfortunately, I have no book, and no maintenance records on the car. I have no idea if it's ever been replaced or not.
The guy who I bought it from only had it since December. He bought it for his son who then bought himself a newer one in a color he liked better. He got the car from a dealer before that.

The big deal? It's an interference type engine. If the belt breaks, it'll bend the valves and destroy it, the repairs will cost more than the car is worth.

Should I take it somewhere and have it done just to be safe? Keep in mind the car is 10 years old and 10,400 miles overdue if it hasn't been replaced. Also I live in NY where the summers and winters are both harsh, which will cause more strain on it. This is why I ask. Would it even be possible for it to survive that long?

I've already asked my dad, but he's pointless to talk to since he's obviously never heard of an interference type engine and thinks everything will be fine if it breaks, and thinks that the $300 to replace it isn't worth it, when I could be out the 2,500 I paid for the car, tax, title and plate fees.

Take it to someone to do it ( like a dealer ).

If you want to do it yourself, the first step is to get a Haynes manual. But if you aren't feeling comfortable in doing it, just take it somewhere to be safe.

I dont think it will break soon being 10 years old, but id still be putting it at the top of things the car needs list. Much older and the "rubbers / plastics" can dry out and break down, severly weaking the belt and risking the lives of many innocent valves

I was under the impression that the belts only lasted 6 years or so and that it was more of an X years or XXXX miles whichever comes first sort of thing.

i'd be inclined to have it replaced if i were you. does that engine have a waterpump that's part of the timing belt procedure?

I know you're going to tell me to replace that too while I'm at it if it does. I don't know, I had the diagram earlier and now I can't find it again.

What kind of car is it again?

'99 Ford Escort ZX2, it's probably a Zetec, which would mean the water pump is better than at the same time.

I said in the first line of the OP... =\

Apex is right, it is a Zetec, 2 liter DOHC with VCT.

Uuuh, I think I'm just gonna have it done guys. I'd lock the topic but I guess I can't yet. Consider it locked.

Funny, I'd heard that the ZETEC engines were non-interference, and google confirms that as well.

In other words, run it 'till it snaps, then call AAA.

^ The SOHC Zetec engines are non interference. The DOHC ones are. The one used in my car anyway.

This guy begs to differ:
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Is_the_engine_on...nterence_engine

A bit off topic, and not wanting to nitpick, but...

I like how that guy put his references on the answer, "My friend was a Ford mechanic for 21 years".

My uncle's friend's coworker's dog's groomer's husband's friend's lover's pool boy's financial advisor's massage therapist's brother is a Ford mechanic as well. Does not make me any more knowledgeable on anything that I otherwise wouldn't know about. I don't know why people do that.

Anytime I see someone post like that, I do treat it with more caution then I otherwise would...

Now back on topic, the Zetec is not an interference engine in the normal sense, but you can bend valves if the belt does not break, but just strips a few teeth. Exhaust valves are known to collide with the intake valves in that case. However, you do need to have serious bad luck for that, most of the time when the belt breaks there is no damage.

I would just get it changed for the piece of mind. But at the same time, replace idlers, tensioners, and the water pump ( or at least the water pump seal ).

And I don't need any "references".

This post has been edited by Apex Carver on May 31 2009, 02:35 PM

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It’s very rare that the belts only last long for 6 years. You must go to the dealer right away.