I've been hunting down a problem with my daughter's 98 Contour. Good fuel,spark, new plugs and coil pack, fuel pump and filter...never thought to check the timing belt. I just popped the upper timing belt cover, had my daughter turn the car over, and I just stared at the cam shaft cogs and the timing belt - just sitting there. So...either the belt has a bald spot or the drive cog is screwy. Its on a trailer headed for the professional mechanic as I am too tired to fool around with the timing belt on a FWD. Thanks for the group's suggestions and patience.
Alex Partridge