Replacing the timing belt (cambelt) on your Ford Focus RS Mk2 is one of the most important things pieces of maintenance you can do. This is because if the belt breaks on one of these cars it will cause severe damage to the engine, unless you are extremely lucky.
As this is the case, we have created this guide that covers how often you need to change the timing belt, what happens when it breaks, and more.
Table of Contents
Does the Focus RS Mk2 Have Timing Belt or Chain?
This is pretty obvious based on the title of this article, but yes, the second generation Focus RS uses a timing belt and not a chain.
When Does the Timing Belt Need to Be Replaced on a Focus RS Mk2?
Ford’s recommended service interval for the timing belt on the Focus RS Mk2 is actually quite high, with changes called for every 200,000 km (125,000 miles) or every ten years. Despite this long interval, we haven’t really heard of any premature belt failures on the Mk2. However, early belt failure is always a possibility, even if it is a small one on these cars, so a good number of owners like to change the belt much earlier at around 112,000 km (70,000 miles) or every 7 years just to be on the safe side (some even go much earlier than that).
What Happens if the Timing Belt Breaks on a Focus RS Mk2?
Unfortunately, the 2.5-litre Duratec engine inside the Focus RS is an interference engine, so if the belt or tensioner fails the pistons and valves will collide, leading to a nasty mess, a failed engine and a very expensive repair bill. The pistons and valves collide because there is not enough room for them to clear each other in the even of a belt failure.
What Else Should be Replaced with the Timing Belt?
Here are some of the other parts you should replace with the timing belt:
- Timing belt tensioner
- Water pump
- Auxiliary belts
- Idler pulley
Other parts that are sometimes replaced at the same time:
- Coolant
- Cam seals and cam end plugs
- VCT and spark plug seals
- Engine oil and filter
To Sum Up
Fords recommended service interval is every 200,000 km (125,000 miles) or every ten years, but a lot of owners do it much earlier at around 112,000 km (70,000 miles) or every 7 years, with some going even earlier. If the belt or tensioner fails it will lead to catastrophic damage and a very expensive repair bill. Finally, the belt should be replaced along with the tensioner, water pump, auxiliary belts and idler pulley.
