Buying a car is a big budget for most of us, nevertheless, to this one you will have to add the maintenance of your motor vehicle, and for some maintenance works the bill can be quite high. It is so logical to ask yourself when is the best time to accomplish these repairs and not do them “for nothing”. In this article we are going to explain to you when to replace the timing belt on your Ford Ka? For that, to begin with, we are going to find out why it is essential to do this process of maintenance, then, when to do the timing belt of your Ford Ka , then, we are going to quickly describe to you how this change is done, and, finally, how much it costs to do the timing belt of a Ford Ka.
Why do we need to replace the timing belt of an Ford Ka?
As we informed you in introduction, changing a timing belt on a Ford Ka represents a significant budget, so we figure out that you are hesitant to do it and to allow you to figure out the value of this fix, so we will quickly explain why it is so important to do it on time.
Your Ford Ka’s timing belt action
The timing of a Ford Ka has an essential role in the smooth running of your engine. Indeed, it will have the mission to synchronize the valves and pistons, and to make the link between the camshaft, the water pump, the crankshaft and the injection pump . It will allow the engine to work effectively, and avoid any risk of engine breakage. The shorter the distance your vehicle travels, the more your belt will be solicited when starting the engine.
What are the risks if the timing belt is not changed in time?
The problem with the timing of a Ford Ka is that it is internal to the engine. And consequently, in contrast to an accessory belt, it is impossible to visually verify its state. So you might believe that this belt is just an insignificant part, but the risks you take if you don’t replace it in time are substantial. If the timing of your Ford Ka breaks, you will most definitely have to replace the engine of this one. Indeed, the pistons will hit the valves and destroy them, and the camshaft will as well break. The faster the engine is running at the moment of the breakage, the more serious the consequences are. It is consequently primordial to make your timing belt on time .
When to do the timing belt of its Ford Ka?
We will now answer the question that you all have to ask yourselves, when to produce the timing belt of a Ford Ka? It is required to know that each engine is different and as we described earlier, we must not miss on the replacement of this part. The more we advance in time the more the manufacturers improve the timing belt and normally the more recent your Ford Ka will be the less you will have to get worried about your belt. However, look at your Ford Ka’s service book to get the exact life and maximum mileage you can accomplish before you do the timing . Typically, timing belts have a life of 5 to 10 years and a maximum mileage between 80, 000 and 200, 000km .
How to replace the timing belt of an Ford Ka?
As the timing belt of a Ford Ka represents a high budget, one can rationally question if it is not possible to replace it on your own. Sadly it is very tricky to access and only the most experienced amateur mechanics and the most equipped with tools will be able to consider this operation, we will nevertheless quickly illustrate the different steps to be executed to change this timing belt:
- Place the Ford Ka on stands, and depending on your engine you may have to remove a wheel. Take out the timing gearboxes
- To do this, you must buy the timing kit so that all the engine elements remain in the right position, in any other case your engine will break. Take out the other elements that bother you (damper pulley for example).
- Take out the old distribution after loosening the tension rollers. Before positioning the new one, you must take out all the tensioning rollers and the water pump.
- Place the new water pump.
- Mount the new tension rollers, pay attention to the location of each one.
- Mount the new distribution of your Ford Ka by respecting the markers.
- Tension the belt as indicated by the manufacturer’s data.
- Put the rest of it back together.
- Verify that the engine is running effectively.
.
Changing the timing belt how much does it cost?
And finally, we’ll try to give you an idea of the price if you want to change the timing belt of your Ford Ka . Take note that if you do it at the mechanic of the brand or at a motor vehicle center like Feu Vert the price can vary a lot, but in general we estimate that the price of the distribution varies between 400 and 900 euros , depending on the place where you do it and your engine. Take note that the kits include the belt, idlers and water pump.
If you want more tutorials on the Ford Ka, go to our Ford Ka category.
