Originally posted by Mystique97:
Well I'm not sure about the timing belt, but the serpentine belt should be black with white lettering on it, maybe the spots are the letters fadding off. I would say change a belt every 80K-100K(?). Also about the timing belt, I got my cover changed over the dealer warranty, they said on those years (95-97) the covers were too small, I do not know if it's true or not, because mine did the same thing when I first got the car, after it was changed it didn't seem to hit the cover anymore.
Also about the filters, I used to use Frame in mine when I first got it, and it was Ok, now I use Motorcraft, I have a Frame air filter in mine right now, seems to be fine.
Also on the flush additive, what exactly is it suppost to do? Sounds like a waste of money IMO.
Just drain the old fluid out and put new in.
HTH.

Edit: Oh yeah the squeal, might be something with the heater maybe, does it do it with the heater on only? Or at random times, if so could be the alternator belt, or just the serpentine belt.
Also I had a privately owned shop change out my water pump and timing belt, much cheaper then the ford dealer doing it.



The flush additive is actually like sand.. you dissolve it in a gallon of water and fill it full then let run with heater on for 10 Min.. its supposed to get the gunk off the sides of hoses etc.. so it will cool better.

On The squeal, it didn't seem to mater if the heater was on.. but the a/c made it go away.

Filters, i wanted to change what i could easily get to before i have it serviced. hoping to save some money, and i want to get something good.

On your timing belt cover, That's a possibility.. I may go look at it and see how close its sitting to top of belt and see if theres any size difference in current cover and new ones.

The MAF sensor i put on last night seemed to cure a few things, it must have been going out for some time, with the old one it always acted like it was gonna die when i started it, now it doesn't.

The only thing i could see visually that was wrong or different with old and new was the 2 little springs inside it the new one both are silver and old one the 1 up front was silver and in back was black..

95 contour 2nd owner Miles: 98,800 Transmission: Automatic Engine: Zetec 4 Cylinder 2.0L Significant Problems: Wiring Harness (cracking!!)