06 LS - Timing belt or chain?

pertuan · 07-01-2017, 10:30 AM

Hi all,

Just after some confirmation from those who are more knowledgable than me. I have a 2006 LS Focus Manual. I believe I have a timing chain as opposed to a belt. Can anyone confirm this is accurate? And can anyone confirm that I do not have to change the timing chain at the 10yr/90,000k service?

It's going in for a major service on Tuesday after it developed an abnormal whine yesterday. Just wanted to make sure that I won't get ripped for changing something that doesn't exist.

Rs31markie · 07-01-2017, 11:29 AM

Hi, if your car has a duratec engine(which I believe it will) then yes it will be chain, if it's a zetec engine (not trim level) that has a cambelt.
I believe that on the duratec engine it's recommended that the cam chain is changed at 10yrs/100k, but not sure many do change it. I have two focus's both fall into that category ie one has over 100k on it, the other is ten years old, I've not changed the chain and won't be either. I'm sure others will disagree but that's just me. If it was cambelt I would change it, but you would have to be very unlucky for a chain to break.

DZFord · 07-01-2017, 11:45 AM

Yeah the LS duratec definitely has a timing chain.

Service interval is 10 years or 240,000 km.

Rs31markie is correct, you'd be very unlucky to break a chain. But that's not really the main issue. Timing chains can stretch over time, causing jumped teeth on the cam sprockets and incorrect cam/crank timing. Plastic timing chain guides are also prone to become brittle and snapping.

Anyway, the abnormal whine is unlikely to be caused by your timing chain, these tend to rattle when loose / stretched.

pertuan · 07-01-2017, 12:18 PM

Thanks for that. I had a feeling that it was a chain. I think I'll get it done anyway because my brother is looking to take over my car in a few months.

Yeah I'm of the opinion that the whine is coming from the aux drive belt. I've been using the A/C a lot more in the last couple of weeks and it sounds like a louder version of the A/C compressor running. Might be the A/C on it's way out? I dunno.

DZFord · 07-01-2017, 01:22 PM

Now that you mention it, the auxiliary drive belt also has a 10 year, 240k km schedule.

There are actually two belts running from the crankshaft pulley. One runs the water pump and alternator and has a tensioner. The other is a short 'stretch fit' belt, with no tensioner, and runs only the AC.

Rs31markie · 07-01-2017, 01:53 PM

Sorry my mistake with service interval, be interested to know the cost of a chain replacement. I've replaced the auxiliary belt tensioner on both cars for that very reason.

GTLEGEND · 07-01-2017, 06:59 PM

As a general rule, if the engine has a timing chain, the timing cover will be metal and has to seal the oil as the chain is lubed through the sump. If it has a belt which runs fry, they usually have a plastic timing cover basically to keep the dust out, not as good a seal as the metal ones...

Just a rule of thumb to help identify...

GTLEGEND · 07-01-2017, 07:05 PM

LS/LT 2005-2009 Focus only had two engine options, 2.0 Diesel Duratorq which ran a timing belt and a 2.0 Duratech Petrol which ran a chain.

pertuan · 12-01-2017, 07:10 PM

So the whining problem was diagnosed as a faulty alternator. Apparently the thing had to be jump started in the workshop. Alternator replaced and whine is now gone.

Now.... the right indicator blinks faster than the left. Any ideas on why and where to look would be appreciated. I'm guessing it's a resistor/capacitor but they didn't mention they had replaced any of those in the circuit. Having said that, the work summary is usually pretty vague anyway.

pertuan · 12-01-2017, 08:28 PM

So the blink rate thing is because my front right indicator bulb is blown....

DZFord · 13-01-2017, 05:42 PM

It seems the whining alternator is a common sign of failure on the Focus, some forum members including myself have all reported the same symptoms