Originally posted by SVTMike99:
Maybe you should tell your mechanic "it ain't a Honda dumb***" 
Contours have no variable valve timing. Honda has the VTEC. Just my .02
98 and newer zetecs do have variable cam timing. It is on the exhaust cam except on the Focus SVT where it is on the intake cam.
The most common form of failure is from using the wrong oil or allowing the oil to get a bit slugged up. It would be wise to do an oil change. Drain the oil hot. Use a high quality 5W/30 oil. If it does not free up, the variable cam timing unit will probably need to be replaced. The exhaust cam must be removed from the engine to do so.
