2000 Ford Escort When to replace timing belt?

BDWIRKA

MEMBER
2000 FORD ESCORT
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
30,000 MILES

Thinking of buying a 2000 Ford Escort ZX2 with 30,000 miles on it. Has original timing belt. My mechanic says since it is nearly 10 years old we should replace the timing belt/tensioner soon. Car dealership says since only 30,000 miles, it should have lots of life left in it. What should we do?

Since it is nearly a $400 job, I asked dealership to replace the belt for me if I was willing to pay for the parts. Is that reasonable?

3 Replies

BLUELIGHTNIN6

MECHANIC
16,542 POSTS

Hello and thanks for the donation!

Although 30k miles is EXTREMELY low miles, especially for a 10 year old vehicle, the timing belt will still need replaced. After sitting for 10 years it has most likely became a little brittle and weak, even if it wasn't used much at all. If you're saying that the car dealer will make the repair for free labor wise, then yes go for it. The belt price is no where near the labor charge for this type of repair.

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Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 AT 6:47 PM

BDWIRKA

MEMBER
2 POSTS

I want the dealership to provide the labor if I agree to pay for the timing belt and tensioner (as a condition of sale) but they don't think the car needs a timing belt because only 30,000 miles. I haven't bought the car yet.

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Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 AT 7:07 PM

BLUELIGHTNIN6

MECHANIC
16,542 POSTS

Mileage doesn't matter here. The age matters. Timing belt sitting for 10 years is going to be weak and brittle wether it was in use or not. It needs replaced or else you risk it breaking under operation and damaging internal parts of the engine. The dealer should do this repair for you at no charge if you pay for the parts only, as part of the exchange in selling the vehicle. This is a routine maintanenance component and the dealer SHOULD know that it needs replaced at 10 years of age, wether it has 1 or 100,000 miles on it.

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Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 AT 7:11 PM