[Dobsfelix]

So, my newly purchased Fiesta has 141.000km and its from the summer of 2013, and I believe its time to have the timing belt done. At first I wanted it done at the official Ford shop for the peace of mind but I got quoted around 680€ which I think it’s too overpriced.
So I asked a fairly decent shop around my area and they quoted me at 425€.
Ive never been to that shop but it has only good reviews on Google. My question is what would you guys do? Should I take it to the official ford shop or go with the other one?

 

[Tazzz]

Is that €680 including parts? If so, that's probably not bad, there's a fair bit involved in doing it, as my mechanic buddy discovered doing mine.

 

[Dobsfelix]

Is that €680 including parts? If so, that's probably not bad, there's a fair bit involved in doing it, as my mechanic buddy discovered doing mine.

Yeah, its without the water pump though, both of them are without the water pump, not sure If I should also change that.

 

[ydnA]

Yeah, its without the water pump though, both of them are without the water pump, not sure If I should also change that.

Would recommend changing the water pump at the same time, if it’s not done and that fails the whole lot has to come back off anyway. Whenever I’ve had the timing belt done on previous cars, I’ve done the water pump at the same time.

 

[Keithsson]

So, my newly purchased Fiesta has 141.000km and its from the summer of 2013, and I believe its time to have the timing belt done. At first I wanted it done at the official Ford shop for the peace of mind but I got quoted around 680€ which I think it’s too overpriced.
So I asked a fairly decent shop around my area and they quoted me at 425€.
Ive never been to that shop but it has only good reviews on Google. My question is what would you guys do? Should I take it to the official ford shop or go with the other one?

If you want peace of mind it only ever comes at a premium. Go to Ford and you'll have it, don't go to Ford and you'll still have a tiny nagging doubt.

 

[Dobsfelix]

Would recommend changing the water pump at the same time, if it’s not done and that fails the whole lot has to come back off anyway. Whenever I’ve had the timing belt done on previous cars, I’ve done the water pump at the same time.

Yeah, you’re probably right, more peace of mind

 

[Dobsfelix]

If you want peace of mind it only ever comes at a premium. Go to Ford and you'll have it, don't go to Ford and you'll still have a tiny nagging doubt.

Is it a difficult task that an authorized ford technician should do or is just as hard as any other timing belt job any good mechanic could do?

 

[Keithsson]

Is it a difficult task that an authorized ford technician should do or is just as hard as any other timing belt job any good mechanic could do?

The level of difficulty of ANY job is only ever defined by the experience and capability of the person doing it.

And the number of timing belt jobs on your engine done by a Ford technician at a Ford garage is obviously going to be much higher than his/her equivalent at a "fairly decent local shop"... as they'll be working on all manner if makes, a 'jack of all trades' if you will.

I don't think its a huge job per se but it is a wee bit more specialist than your normal 'fitter' type of garage does regularly.

I have used an indy for everything once my cars get to certain age, but the last belt change required (a 75k mile Focus cam belt) my guys said they wouldn't do it. I went to their recommendation, a specialist old boy who just does can belts. As I say, its not rocket science but it's a step closer to being a specialist job.

Given the amount of damage you can do if its done wrong, for me it'd be Ford all day long. But hey, that's just me, you'll probably find some people on here who'd say its a piece of cake.

 

[Simdash]

Specialist tuning companies can also do it if there is anyone around that has experience tuning the fiestas.
Personally, I went to Mountune to get mine done in the UK, £360 but I had to supply the water pump kit and belt.

You can sometimes find with main dealers, that due to their workload they try to push jobs through at a high pace which increases the possibility of an issue

 

[Darran]

Specialist tuning companies can also do it if there is anyone around that has experience tuning the fiestas.
Personally, I went to Mountune to get mine done in the UK, £360 but I had to supply the water pump kit and belt.

You can sometimes find with main dealers, that due to their workload they try to push jobs through at a high pace which increases the possibility of an issue

Exactly, main dealer doesn't necessarily mean "premium", when mines due it'll be going to a specialist.

 

[antl76]

My 2014 ST was done by FJRS last summer at 69k miles. I paid £450 all in and I’d never take my car for works like this to anyone else! 👍🏻

 

[Tazzz]

Got mine back last night, €560, but can take €140 off that for a knock sensor, so €420, which is decent enough.

 

[Dobsfelix]

Well, I just found a shop which will install any parts I bring at 40€/h labor! The timing belt they told me its a 3,5h job so about 140€, not bad. Now I just have to find the correct timing belt kit and make sure it has everything so I don’t waste anyone’s time.
Also, I am pretty sure one or more of the motor mounts are on their way out so I might do that at the same time.

 

[coilkat]

My 2014 ST was done by FJRS last summer at 69k miles. I paid £450 all in and I’d never take my car for works like this to anyone else! 👍🏻

Ford in the UK don't seem have prices for cambelt change on their website anymore (they did at one point)
FJRS now charge £575 according to their website which includes tensioner, water pump + new bolts, coolant change and aux belt.

If I was getting it done I would certainly get the tensioner and water pump done as well

 

[alex98uk]

H-Sport in Bath are charging £400 + VAT, for cambelt, aux belt, water pump and crank pulley bolt.

It also includes a free engine health check (bore scope, compression test, co2 header tank check and smoke test), worth £75.

My car goes in next month.

 

[Dobsfelix]

H-Sport in Bath are charging £400 + VAT, for cambelt, aux belt, water pump and crank pulley bolt.

It also includes a free engine health check (bore scope, compression test, co2 header tank check and smoke test), worth £75.

My car goes in next month.

Jesus, I wish prices would be like that here in Spain.