Ford says the timing belt in the 1.0 EcoBoost should be changed once every 10 years or 150,000 miles, whatever comes first. But I'm sure you should do it way earlier. The proper interval for this part is about 8 years and 100,000 miles. If I owned the vehicle with the 1.0 EcoBoost, I would probably change it even earlier.
Key features and my opinion about the engine
- Production years:2012-now
- Average lifespan of 1.0L EcoBoost:150,000-200,000 miles
- Fuel supply type:direct injection
- Power range:84-153 hp
- Fuel efficiency:excellent
- Engine block material:cast-iron
- Engine reliability score:medium
- The most common problems:coolant leaks, oil leaks, carbon buildup on intake valves, turbocharger failure, no lifters.
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Why is belt change interval such a problem?
Well, there are two belts in the system of the 1.0 EcoBoost - the timing belt and the pump belt which should also be changed. The job is pretty time-consuming and the dealership will surprise you with the labor cost. While the belt itself and all other parts are not that expensive, the overall price of changing the timing belt kit in the 1.0 engine is about $1300-$1500 in the dealership and $1000 in an independent service.
Given you own a car that is about 10 years old and has quite a lot of miles on it, you will face a difficult choice - to pay for this repair or to just trade in the car and choose something else. And while I usually laugh at people who sell their cars because there is some expensive repair due soon, in this case, I won't laugh very hard because this actually makes sense.
The thing is that the 1.0 EcoBoost Ford engine rarely goes more than 120-130 thousand miles. Ford knew that of course and suggested the 150K-mile belt change interval literally saying that the belt would live "forever". So, this interval sounds like "We had to tell you something and we did".
How often does the 1.0 EcoBoost engine suffer belt break?
Problems with the belt usually start torturing the owners of this engine after about 100-120 thousand miles. The belt is a little stretched now and it can change the timing of the engine slightly making it harsh. It can also lose some power and have a bad start before the engine belt breaks.
But the worst issues come when the water pump goes bad. Usually, it's replaced along with the timing belt and this part won't live 150,000 miles. In many EcoBoost engines, the water pump died way before this and actually became the reason for replacing the belt kit.
When the pump goes bad, your engine may easily overheat. This is especially bad for the Fiesta which doesn't have the engine temperature gauge. I would say, this is very close to engine death for the Fiesta. When the engine temperature warning light comes on, you may not see it and continue driving. This will lead to fatal overheating and will most likely kill your engine.
So, given the water pump is usually changed along with the belt, here's one more point why changing the belt at 100,000 miles is a good idea.
What can kill the belt in the 1.0 EcoBoost?
There are several things that make the belt in your vehicle suffer:
- leaving the car parked without the parking brake with the manual transmission in gear;
- aggressive driving and sharp accelerations;
- towing anything - this tiny turbo engine is a hero for pulling your car, don't make it tow anything;
- ignoring payload - learn the specs of your car and remember the maximum payload;
- using the wrong oil - this is the oil-lubricated belt, so the oil is super important, use Motorcraft;
- rare oil changes - change oil in these engines at least once every 10K miles or after 1 year.
What happens if the belt breaks in the 1.0 EcoBoost?
If your engine belt eventually breaks, it's cheaper to find another used engine or search for the remanufactured one than try and repair the old engine. Even if you are lucky and the pistons will be OK, almost the entire head in this engine will need to be replaced after belt breaking.
This will most likely cost you a fortune and finding a replacement engine is a proper solution in such a situation. There are quite a lot of remanufactured units available because the engine is pretty unreliable and is often requested by Ford owners.
Can you change the timing belt in this engine on your own?
While some engines have a pretty simple timing chain system, the 1.0 EcoBoost is not one of them. You will need about 10-12 hours of your time to change the belt given you are an experienced mechanic, have all the needed tools, and also obtain the information.
I recommend going to the dealership or to the independent Ford repair shop if you want to have the belt changed properly. There are several common mistakes that inexperienced mechanics can make.
About the authors
The CarAraC research team is composed of seasoned auto mechanics and automotive industry professionals, including individuals with advanced degrees and certifications in their field. Our team members boast prestigious credentials, reflecting their extensive knowledge and skills. These qualifications include: IMI: Institute of the Motor Industry, ASE-Certified Master Automobile Technicians; Coventry University, Graduate of MA in Automotive Journalism; Politecnico di Torino, Italy, MS Automotive Engineering; Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Mechanical University in Skopje; TOC Automotive College; DHA Suffa University, Department of Mechanical Engineering
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