Timing Chain & Aux Belt

[Cooper2020]

I'm Cooper. I have a wonderful Ford Transit 2016 L2 H2. Just had clutch, discs and pads all around changed as well as one rear caliper so not as rich as I was last week! Just checking over a few things and noticed there is an aux belt on the left hand side and I am wondering what this is for as this model (global puma 2.2 14 diesel) should have a timing chain so currently confused and in need of advice. The van has 89k on it so I guess I should change this belt for the first time asap Many thanks in advance

[Altransit]

Welcome to the forum

The 2.2 does indeed have a chain for engine timing, safely tucked away inside the engine behind the timing case, and tensioned by a hydraulic tensioner.
The aux belt is external, runs in front of the timing case, is made of rubber, and drives the alternator, amongst other things

Not a bad idea to change it at high mileage

[dumper]

I’ve not checked on the Ford service interval for the MK 8 belt for the mk 6 2.4 rwd the recommended interval was 100 thousand miles my mk6 belt was replaced at 115 thousand miles and was still in good condition I only charged it at that mileage when I had to change the idler, bearing and adjuster and was still in a serviceable condition but saying that I always checked it every time I opened the bonnet and had a new belt in the van just in case .
Normally I would replace a belt as soon as I got a new to me vehicle but we had a service bulletin for the fleet engineers at work saying that on polly V belts not to charge belts if they had cracks in the v ribs and only change them if the backing was worn or parts or the ribs been missing.

[johnporter11]

So, what's the consensus on when to change the timing chain and aux belt on a 2016 2.2 with 85k on it?

[dumper]

Can’t remember mileage on my mk6 but it was over a hundred thousand miles I changed it because on cold start up you could hear a very slight rattle that went as soon as the oil pressure came up only a split second .it would have probably gone on for a lot longer but with it been a camper I changed it for pice of mind as I suspected the van had been clocked before I bought it but the overall condition was good and had been well serviced a local parcel van has done over 200,000 miles and still on the original chain all he does is give it a oil change at no more then 10000 miles.
,As for the belt I will inspect it every time I open the bonnet and replace as necessary

[Funkyjazzlover]

So, what's the consensus on when to change the timing chain and aux belt on a 2016 2.2 with 85k on it?

I asked the commercials garage I sometimes use the same question a few months back. Van is 2015 2.2 with 156k. I was told that because it's a chain it's unlikely to fail like a belt, but you will know when it starts to 'stretch' as the engine will rattle on start-up, and occasionally misfire where the timing is out.

[Cooper2020]

Thanks for the reply's. Very helpful.

As I chatted to my own mechanic last week he was sure my engine would have a wet belt, but he popped the bonnet and confirmed that there is a chain on the left hand side of the engine. Next to it is a large dry belt which he inspected along with associated components. He told me it was in very good nick. Even so, I will have the belt and tensioner changed very soon. There is a whirring belt sound on start up which quickly fades away but otherwise it is hard to hear anything else past the noisy faulty drop link on the drivers side front suspension and the gearbox brace noise that followed after getting the discs, pads, and clutch were changed a couple of weeks ago by a previously unknown mechanic. Booked in for my mechanic to sort those first.

Otherwise I think it is really important that people check if they have a chain or belt, especially if like my van it was manufactured around the time that ford changed from chains to belts 2017. For those that do not look under the bonnet very often it is worth your while checking at least occasionally.

[dumper]

The noise you are getting on start up is the alternator putting full charge into the battery and putting more pressure on the belt so if it’s worn it’s more likely to do it .not had anything to do with the FWD transit but I think it’s a stretch belt so could be more likely to slip on start up then the RWD van when worn .