FiST Mk7 Timing Belt (What's Required and Gotchas)

[rallyrabbit]

About to start the project to do the timing belt in the 2016 Fiesta ST (EcoBoost 1.6T), I've read two forums and watched a number of videos so I wanted to get some thoughts about this from anyone that's done it...

Parts Needed:

• Timing Tool Kit with all pins and flywheel lockout via starter
• Right Axle Bear Clamp (YS4Z-3N324-AA)
• Crankshaft Bolt (BE8Z-6A340-A)
• Timing Belt (BE8Z-6268-C)
• Timing Belt Tensioner (BM5Z-6K254-A)
• Water Pump (7S7Z-8501-C) and gasket

Recommended to change while in there:

• Right Motor Mount
• Serpentine Belt
• Serpentine Idler Pulley
• Thermostat

Questions I have:
I've read the service manual, it doesn't say anything about removing the valve cover, but a number of people online swear you have to. Curious on any other gaskets I may be missing on stuff that needs to come off that I am not anticipating?

 

[rallyrabbit]

I have some people saying valve cover comes off, and others saying no. So I bought the Valve Cover Gasket just in case. I'm planning to start the job weekend after next, Jan 17th. So as I go, I'll post observations and gotchas I run into. I am really irked at how the EcoBoost does not use a keyed crank pulley. Seems that this is a major short-sighted design.

 

[scooter123]

I have some people saying valve cover comes off, and others saying no. So I bought the Valve Cover Gasket just in case. I'm planning to start the job weekend after next, Jan 17th. So as I go, I'll post observations and gotchas I run into. I am really irked at how the EcoBoost does not use a keyed crank pulley. Seems that this is a major short-sighted design.

That decision was all about the cost. Save 2 bucks per engine by not machining the keyways and the cost of the key and if you have 100K engines per year being produced you have "saved" 200,000 dollars per year. Means the A...hole who suggested this is a Hero. It also means that customers have to pay the added maintenance cost for these types of decisions.

What is really sad is that in the 70's and 80's Honda's were specifically engineered to make maintenance as easy as possible, now they are nearly as bad as Ford. I had a 1976 Civic and around 1980 I had to replace the timing belt. That task took me 35 minutes and I wasn't rushing at all. Pop the drivers front tire off and inside the wheel well you would find a bunch of re-usable plastic plus where the holes lined up perfectly with the fasteners for the Timing cover, water pump and idler pulley for the timing belt. BTW both water pump and timing cover were o-ringed so no gaskets to deal with. Procedure was very simple, once the idler pulley was out you could lift out the timing belt and then line up the dots on came and crank pulleys, slide the new belt in place and then mount the idler pulley in place and release the tension, check the dots again, and then put the water pump and timing cover back in place. With an air ratchet and practice I'll bet a pro could have replaced that timing belt in under 10 minutes.

 

[rallyrabbit]

Trust me, I get it. I am an engineer as an American Manufacturing company and you wouldn't believe the choices like this where a bean counter forces the change of an engineering design. Save 1 cent here and 10 cents here and adds up to millions while compromising quality or serviceability.

I miss by old 80s and 90s VWs.... I could do a timing belt on those old 4-banger VWs with my eyes closed. And i still have my 1989 Accord and and 1983 Rabbit and they are a joy to work on compared to our Pilot and my Fiesta. The Pilot has LED tail lights, they go out and that's a $300 piece behind a panel that is not made to be removed.

But dang it, it is next to impossible to find any real hot hatches anymore, I don't really want to give this car up yet.