Do I need to change my Cam belt on my fiesta?

[Kat01]

My fiesta has 62,000 miles on the clock and I've been told that the cam belt needs changed at 60,000 so I'm worried it'll snap and the engine seize.  I have also heard that my fiesta being only just under a 1.3 may not have a cam belt, is this true?

[KebabMeister]

Your Fiesta might have an 'Over Head Valve' (OHV) engine rather than a 'Over Head Cam' (OHC) engine.  The former doesn't have a cambelt but an internal chain that doesn't need replacing.

What year is your Fiesta?  Could you describe your engine?!  - if the top of the engine has a long black 'rocker' cover (where you fill it up with oil) then it's most likely an OHV engine.  If it's a more fatter silver rocker cover then it's mostly likely an OHC engine.

[v64paul]

don't think any of the fiesta's were fitted with the cvh engine with the exception of later xr2's so there is'nt much doubt that your car's engine does'nt have a cambelt. if by chance the engine is as described by kebebmeister as an ohv, this is the valencia engine which has a timing chain. the chain does wear but the noise it makes when it does wear out is pretty unmistakeable. they get changed more because of the noise than any effect on the engine. 

what say we start a " whats wrong with my motor category" kebabmeister?

[KebabMeister]

Sounds good to me! :)

I stopped being a mechanic in 1996 but it's good to put my past experience to some use! :)

[Kat01]

Thanks for your help guys.  The fiesta is a P reg if that helps.  I will check now but I am fairly sure it has a black cover.

[verrecchia]

Have to disagree here guys, the newer fiesta'a have zetec engines and as you are aware these do have cambelts, If in doubt ask a mecxhanic to tell you, all he will have to do is lift the lid and look, bug square black top with zetec pirnted on it, it has a cambelt, narrower, silver engine, and it doesn't, wouldn't want you to think it didn't and then hear it go bang, but even if it has a belt, the recomended shage is 60,000, but they will go well over that, it's not like a pizza form tesco, you get more than 1 extra day out of it