Is it hard to change an alternator on a ford focus zetec 2000

Hello, This job is alot harder on your car than most that's for sure. It really depends on your mechanical ability and time vs the amount your willing to pay someone else. This job is easy if your not afraid to loosen the passenger motor mount and slid the engine forward about an inch with a pry bar. (Which sounds alot harder than it is) But the Hanes manual lists alot of things to do to get around the motor mount.

Per Haynes Manual.
Place Coolant Expansion Tank to one side.
Lift out Power Steering Reservoir and put to one side.
Remove DriveBelt.
Unscrew Wiring Loom bolt and move wiring to one side.
Remove Ground Cable from Strut Tower.
Bent the ground bracket down as much as possible.
Move Canister Purge Valve to one side.
Remove Plastic Cover from Alternator.
Unscrew and the alternator mounting bolt nearest the engine first.
Unscrew the other retaining bolt until it has fully disengaged from the bracket (not possible to remove bolt from alternator at this stage).
Lift the alternator out, Pulley side facing upwards.
Take care not to damage or you might screw your surrounding components!

I would say if you dont work on cars or have mechanical ability you should prob take it to a profesional. I hope my answer helped more than it scared you....lol....Have a great weekend and please rate my answer if you felt it was helpful

Generator —2.0L Zetec-E Removal

1. Disconnect the battery ground cable.

1. Remove the accessory drive belt. For additional information, refer to Section 303-05 .

1. Remove the generator electrical connector cover.

1. Disconnect the generator electrical connectors.

1. Remove the coolant expansion tank bolt.

1. Detach the coolant expansion tank from the clip and secure to one side.

1. Detach the power steering reservoir and secure to one side.

1. Detach the engine wiring loom bracket and secure to one side.

1. Detach the ground cable.

1. Detach the evaporative emission canister purge valve and secure to one side.

1. Remove the bolt.

1. NOTE: The bolt must be fully disengaged from the bracket although it is not possible to remove the bolt at this stage.
   Unscrew the bolt fully.

1. Remove the generator.

That depends on whether you have a single overhead cam or twin overhead cam engine. The twin cam engine is much easier to change the alternator. The single overhead cam engine has very little room to work and it takes almost 3 times as long to change the alternator (assuming a professional mechanic)
Charlie