Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Zetec Maintenance Timing belt replacement

Originally posted by Kremithefrog:

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Why do you need a compression tester to change the timing belt?

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Well because you want to keep the car at TDC....maybe that was just for the cam gears....but still it helps.

Originally posted by LoCoZ2:

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Originally posted by Kremithefrog:

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Why do you need a compression tester to change the timing belt?

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Well because you want to keep the car at TDC....maybe that was just for the cam gears....but still it helps.

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Originally posted by brapple:

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Originally posted by LoCoZ2:

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Originally posted by Kremithefrog:

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Why do you need a compression tester to change the timing belt?

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Well because you want to keep the car at TDC....maybe that was just for the cam gears....but still it helps.

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take number one plug out and used a screw driver to determine when the piston topped out. then markers the crank and the cam gears to keep the timing. Cam gears did turn a little, one tooth maybe, just lined them back up when we put the belt on

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BUT it isn't necessarily at TDC when the screwdriver comes up....I had to go around TWICE to get it at TDC.(it says that in the manual too). You may not have had it at TDC because when it is at TDC the notches at the end of the cams line up straight.

Originally posted by bk4293:

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Originally posted by brapple:

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when I went to replace the belt on my car the tensioner pully was almost completely cracked in half, belt was fine and looked almost new.

Make sure you get all the pullies changed

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I'll second that. Changed my belt without changing the pulleys, Let's just say it was a $450.00 lesson learned when I got stuck on the way to a meet.

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Nah..we just made it a PepBoys Chitown meet.

Originally posted by LoCoZ2:

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Originally posted by brapple:

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Originally posted by LoCoZ2:

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Originally posted by Kremithefrog:

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Why do you need a compression tester to change the timing belt?

---

Well because you want to keep the car at TDC....maybe that was just for the cam gears....but still it helps.

---

take number one plug out and used a screw driver to determine when the piston topped out. then markers the crank and the cam gears to keep the timing. Cam gears did turn a little, one tooth maybe, just lined them back up when we put the belt on

---

BUT it isn't necessarily at TDC when the screwdriver comes up....I had to go around TWICE to get it at TDC.(it says that in the manual too). You may not have had it at TDC because when it is at TDC the notches at the end of the cams line up straight.

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umm yes i know this because we set the timing on my car. And it's correct (or could I be 180 degrees off and actually would have the fastest car ever if I had it right ) You gotta lock the cam gears in at TDC, which we did, which can only be done at one spot. No compression tester needed.

Originally posted by Kremithefrog:

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Originally posted by LoCoZ2:

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Originally posted by brapple:

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Originally posted by LoCoZ2:

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Originally posted by Kremithefrog:

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Why do you need a compression tester to change the timing belt?

---

Well because you want to keep the car at TDC....maybe that was just for the cam gears....but still it helps.

---

take number one plug out and used a screw driver to determine when the piston topped out. then markers the crank and the cam gears to keep the timing. Cam gears did turn a little, one tooth maybe, just lined them back up when we put the belt on

---

BUT it isn't necessarily at TDC when the screwdriver comes up....I had to go around TWICE to get it at TDC.(it says that in the manual too). You may not have had it at TDC because when it is at TDC the notches at the end of the cams line up straight.

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umm yes i know this because we set the timing on my car. And it's correct (or could I be 180 degrees off and actually would have the fastest car ever if I had it right ) You gotta lock the cam gears in at TDC, which we did, which can only be done at one spot. No compression tester needed.

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I guess you are the best mechanic ever.

Originally posted by Kremithefrog:

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You still haven't answered my question to WHY IS A COMPRESSION TESTER NEEDED?

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Because if there is one thing I have learned when modding and maintaining a car...is to do things right the first time....don't take unecessary risks....or you may pay later for doing things half ass now.