Timing belt and tune-up

[BimmerM3]

Do I need to replace the belt tensioners along with the belts (timing and balancer)?

[JWC]

We do it on Contours and Escorts because we can't risk the liablity of someone coming back three months later with a belt thrown off and the engine damaged.  Whether it is truly neccessary is a judgment call, unless you open it up and find a tensioner bad. 

We quote the job both ways and let the customer decide, unless we definitely find something bad during the repair.  If the customer decides to not change tensioners, there will be a disclaimer on his invoice that he must sign.

[280Z Turbo]

We do it on Contours and Escorts because we can't risk the liablity of someone coming back three months later with a belt thrown off and the engine damaged.  Whether it is truly neccessary is a judgment call, unless you open it up and find a tensioner bad. 

We quote the job both ways and let the customer decide, unless we definitely find something bad during the repair.  If the customer decides to not change tensioners, there will be a disclaimer on his invoice that he must sign.

The Zetec is a non interference motor, right?

[JWC]

The Zetec is a non interference motor, right?

I can't remember off the top of my head.  I know I've had two towed in with broken belts and valve train damage...but, I've had 2-3 towed in with broken belt or guides/tensioners and no problem.  It might be like Honda, back in the eighties when I worked that line.  Hondas could break a belt no problem, provided you were idling or traveling less than 1500rpm. (I think that was the limit).   Anything over that and you bent a valve.

The worse was a Eclipse/Talon.  Customer was sitting at a red light in front of the Chrysler/Dodge dealer I was working, when his T/belt broke.  Engine disintergrated.  Holes in pistons, bent valves and rods...while idling. I couldn't believe the amount of damage.  What was worse, it broke the belt at 45K.  I swore I'd never own one of those PO.

[AutobahnSHO]

The worse was a Eclipse/Talon.  Customer was sitting at a red light in front of the Chrysler/Dodge dealer I was working, when his T/belt broke.  Engine disintergrated.  Holes in pistons, bent valves and rods...while idling. I couldn't believe the amount of damage.  What was worse, it broke the belt at 45K.  I swore I'd never own one of those PO.

+1
A friend had one in Germany- not only was it a 4-banger but a slushie.
Cost him upwards of $2k to get it fixed.

[BimmerM3]

We do it on Contours and Escorts because we can't risk the liablity of someone coming back three months later with a belt thrown off and the engine damaged.  Whether it is truly neccessary is a judgment call, unless you open it up and find a tensioner bad. 

We quote the job both ways and let the customer decide, unless we definitely find something bad during the repair.  If the customer decides to not change tensioners, there will be a disclaimer on his invoice that he must sign.

I decided to just go ahead and order the tensioners. I figured it couldn't hurt.

Helm decided not to tell me that my manual was out of stock for two weeks, so now I have to wait until Tuesday to re-order it. I was hoping to do the job this weekend, but I'll just have to wait it out.

[CALL_911]

The worse was a Eclipse/Talon.  Customer was sitting at a red light in front of the Chrysler/Dodge dealer I was working, when his T/belt broke.  Engine disintergrated.  Holes in pistons, bent valves and rods...while idling. I couldn't believe the amount of damage.  What was worse, it broke the belt at 45K.  I swore I'd never own one of those PO.

Wow DSM for the epic fail.

[sportyaccordy]

I don't think you needed the tensioner man. I know people who have done a lot of swaps and they always swap old tensioners over.

[L. ed foote]

I don't think you needed the tensioner man. I know people who have done a lot of swaps and they always swap old tensioners over.

Yeah, but may as well change them while you're there, if only for peace of mind.

[The Pirate]

Yeah, but may as well change them while you're there, if only for peace of mind.

That's my thought as well.  It's cheap part, and easy enough to replace when the top end is already opened up.