My daughter's 'Tour just had the belt replaced at around 88,000...it was making quite a racket...sounded
like it was trying to fly out of the engine. I think the tensioner was replaced as well.

My Mystique has just over 90,000 on the original belt. What I'd like to know is why the owner's manual
AND the factory service manual say absolutely nothing about any interval for changing the belt?

The dealers I've asked all say 60,000 (do they just want my money?). A co-worker with a Trooper says his
manual indicates the belt MUST be changed at 60,000 or serious engine damage occurs (its not a zero
clearance engine).

No one around here can tell me if the Zetec is a zero clearance engine or not! If the belt breaks, will the
engine just stop like my old Escort or a friend's K-car? Or will bits of engine come flying out in all directions
like the 4th of July?


- Jim Our yardbirds: Belvedere, our '96 Jeep Cherokee, 4.0L ATX, 85,000 and going strong Spencer, our '03 Chrysler PT Crusier, 2.4L ATX, 28,000 and just getting started