wondering

[legend123]

was wandering at what mileage should you change timming belt on 1991 festiva mine has 80,000 km or 41,000 miles and any other maintanance that should be done at this time.thank you

[TominMO]

When I buy a used car, I immediately (cash flow permitting) replace a lot of stuff if it looks like it's not new, or is a cheap part, just so I know how old it is and in what condition. Belts, hoses, filters, tuneup if needed, thermostat, etc. Especially anything that could leave you stranded on the side of the road, like a timing belt, accessory belt or hoses. For a carby, I always have a couple of fuel filters in the car, along with the tools needed to replace it.

[F3BZ]

ford maintenance schedule recommends belt change every 96,000 KM but you might consider your peace of mind and that its a 24 year old belt. a new one is cheap and pretty easy to change out. other than oil changes the only other parts replacement recommended are air filter and spark plugs every 48,000 KM.

[harpon]

Maybe partially at least on your ability to do it- yourself or funds to have it done. It might keep you from getting stuck in the future- on the other hand I drove my 88 Festiva from 175 K to over 275K and never once had a timing belt issue- nor do I know if it was replaced before I got it. If you don't do it yet, it may be an idea to buy one to have with you in the car, especially on any long trips.

[Bert]

ford maintenance schedule recommends belt change every 96,000 KM but you might consider your peace of mind and that its a 24 year old belt. a new one is cheap and pretty easy to change out. other than oil changes the only other parts replacement recommended are air filter and spark plugs every 48,000 KM.

Very much so this is good advice! Recommended 'rule of thumb' interval is 100K km or 60,000 miles (for any/all belt driven engines) but any 2 decade old drive belt has long passed its 'best before' date whether or not it actually turned an engine/alternator/steering pump.
Lucky for you that Mazda design B-series Festy engines are "non-interference" meaning a suddenly broken timing belt does not result in pistons and valves suddenly colliding (interference with each other) and ruin the engine.
Replacing the belt is a supreme effort for any novice into the realm of DIY (do it yourself) but can be done without too much grief providing you can get the Crank pulley bolt to release. An air wrench is quick for this, as is undoing the motor mount and gently lowering the engine down low enough (via a floor jack) to get a socket on that bolt.

[WmWatt]

On my '89 Festiva I didn't have to remove the crankshaft bolt, just the crankshaft pulley.
Do the later models require the crankshaft bolt to be removed?
It was tight getting a Philips head socket in there to remove the screws holding on the
pulley but by rotating the engine with an open end wrench on the crankshaft bolt so
each pulley screw was at the bottom in turn it was easy.
Another challenge was dropping the pulley out of the tight place between the engine and body.
Some people undo the engine mount and lower the engine slightly. I found putting a pry
bar in the engine mount and giving it a tug shifted the engine enough for the pulley to drop
out. Putting the pulley back in later required another tug on the pry bar in the engine mount.
I'd suggest investing in a Haynes Festiva/Aspire manual. I find it helpful.

[jayber]

When waterpump is replaced

[cyclonecj]

I replaced mine at 220,000 when the waterpump went out. Belt still looked like new.

[thes]

changed mine on kia pride £6.00 for belt,contitech,just tensiond it left the spring out.first belt change in 15 years,done fuel,air filter,blueprint oil filter £2.10,fresh oil £9.95,had to bodge up water bypass pipe,was leaking due to 3 holes in it,got water hose,jubilee clips,£1.00,cut then slid over hose,on o ring used sealent,put back good as new,...dealer wanted £46,for pipe,not inc o ring...

[Movin]

My white one has a snowmobile on behind as we speak, went last night and going again tonight after work.

I replace mine when I worry it might not get me home! If I have it off for any reason it will get one too.