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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 16
New CEG\'er
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OP
New CEG\'er
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 16 |
Hello,
I am new to the group and a new Contour owner. My car has about 90K on it and I am guessing the the timing belt has never been chnaged. Am I risking valve damage if it breaks?
Thanks for your help.
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,910
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,910 |
I am sure someone else will chime in but I don't think it was ever completely decided if the zetec is not interference or not. I think most feel it isn't and I agree since I think all ford engine are non-interference.
do remeber Ford was the one that said the belt was good to 80k most likely updated from 60k. Ford has said it will last the life of the car, and with most people selling cars before 100k that is the life of the car to them.
if you plan to keep your car for awhile and want peice of mind, just change the timing belt and then you don't have to worry.
I changed mine at 104k on my 95 and the belt looked very good. the issue would have been the tensioner was about to split in half. make sure you change all the plastic pullies also.
other will say to change the water pump since it is easy to get to while changing the timing belt, that is your call.
- 95 Mystique LS - Zetec/5spd
- 99 Contour SeVT Sport - Duratec/5spd
Official NE-CEG Contour/Mustang Family
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 21,653
I have no life
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I have no life
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 21,653 |
no but you are risking being stranded.
98.5 SVT
91 Escort GT (almost sold)
96 ATX Zetec (i brake to watch you swerve)
FS: SVT rear sway bar
WTB: Very cheap beater
CEG Dragon Run - October 13-15
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 165
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 165 |
If you do the belt, change the water pump. My belt looked fine but my water pump was way gone. My $.02 
Contour--It will make a master mechanic out of you!
95 LX MTX Bolt-ons
95 Neon SOHC ATX
77 Dodge Powerwagon-more displacement than my Neon, Contour, and wife's Saturn---combined!
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,168
I am Canuckian
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I am Canuckian
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,168 |
I've seen it interfere for the record.
Green 96 mystique gs 4cyl mtx
16.9 in the 1/4 mile @102500 miles
95SE in Midnight Red MTX
MSDS headers and y-pipe
SVT exhaust
SVT UIM
Optimized se TB.
Full pre 98 SVT body kit
15.741 @ 87.73mph :)
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 21,653
I have no life
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I have no life
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 21,653 |
98.5 SVT
91 Escort GT (almost sold)
96 ATX Zetec (i brake to watch you swerve)
FS: SVT rear sway bar
WTB: Very cheap beater
CEG Dragon Run - October 13-15
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,168
I am Canuckian
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I am Canuckian
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,168 |
I used to manage a pizza joint. One of the drivers had a ztec atx. When the belt went it took about a grand worth of the engine with it.
Green 96 mystique gs 4cyl mtx
16.9 in the 1/4 mile @102500 miles
95SE in Midnight Red MTX
MSDS headers and y-pipe
SVT exhaust
SVT UIM
Optimized se TB.
Full pre 98 SVT body kit
15.741 @ 87.73mph :)
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 33
New CEG\'er
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New CEG\'er
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 33 |
The belt on my 95 Zetec MTX blew while the engine was nearly redlined with no other damage. Changing out the lower radiator hose might of been the hardest part, that thing is ridiculous. cheers
95 Zetec MTX 135,000mi
Wash DC
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 165
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 165 |
Originally posted by mbb41:
I used to manage a pizza joint. One of the drivers had a ztec atx. When the belt went it took about a grand worth of the engine with it.
Maybe whoever repaired it saw an oppertunity to make some $$$$ 
Contour--It will make a master mechanic out of you!
95 LX MTX Bolt-ons
95 Neon SOHC ATX
77 Dodge Powerwagon-more displacement than my Neon, Contour, and wife's Saturn---combined!
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 682
Veteran CEG\'er
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Veteran CEG\'er
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 682 |
Even if an engine is interferenceful, that doesn't mean it can't escape injury most of the time. When is the timing belt under the most strain? When it's in the early stages of trying to push some valves down. So more often than not the belt will probably fail with no valves pushed anywhere near all the way down.
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