Hey all,
Been awhile since I've had to use the help, Contour's been running great! Anyways, my timing belt snapped on the highway last night.
Began trying to change the timing belt and components but got stuck at the middle cover. Anyone know how to get the middle cover off. I could use some pics or really detailed steps to getting the middle cover off. Everything else I can do!
Thanks for any and all help
Sorry about the duplicate post!
search this forum there is a post 98 timing belt faq with instructions
first you need to remove the water pump and idler pulley. Then from there remove the screws that hold that cover on. Sorry I can't giv eyou a more detailed description, but that's basically all you have to do.
So you're saying that I need to remove the actual waterpump to access the bolt for the middle cover?
I allready removed the pulley for the WP, the engine mount, the right side wheel and splash shield and two bolts plus a hex / star head bolt that was next to the WP pulley.
dont forget to support the engine with a jack stand!
Thanks everyone...I got the middle cover off and am on my way to completion!
Question are these interference motors?
I really hope my newly aquired contour dd isn't like my non daily driver
Im just working on this now, yet again.
Can someone tell me why the timing belt is running offcenter on the sprokets? I changed all of the components but its still hitting the wall and the belt seems to be rubbing the outer case.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. This is the method i used to tighten the tentioner. Is this the cause of the off center belt?
REVISED TIMING BELT & TENSION SETUP ON 2.0L
Shop manuals are indispensable tools for looking up disassembly/ installation procedures, specifications, diagnostic and service information. But sometimes errors occur in printed manuals, which makes life interesting for the poor guy who doesn't know the manual is incorrect. An example here is the timing belt and tensioner setup procedure that Ford originally published for the 1998-2000 Contour, Escort ZX2, 2000 Focus, 1998-2000 Mercury Mystique and 1999-2000 Mercury Cougar with 2.0L engine. Ford TSB 99-25-4 provides the following corrected information:
To achieve proper timing belt tension on this engine, Ford says the camshaft sprocket bolts should be loosened enough to permit the sprockets to turn freely on the camshafts. Once this has been done, rotate the crankshaft clockwise so cylinder No. 1 is at top dead center. Then, install the camshaft alignment tool in the camshaft slots to hold the cams in place.
Back out the tensioner bolt four full turns and position the tensioner so the locating tab is at approximately the 4 o'clock position. Line up the hex key slot in the tensioner-adjusting washer with the pointer that is located behind the pulley.
Working counterclockwise from the crank sprocket, install the timing belt.
Rotate the tensioner locating tab counterclockwise and insert the locating tab into the slot in the rear timing cover.
Position the hex key slot in the tensioner-adjusting washer to the 4 o'clock position.p>
Tighten the attaching bolt enough to seat the tensioner firmly against the rear timing cover, but still allow the tensioner adjusting washer to be rotated using a 6 mm hex key.
Using the hex key, rotate the adjusting washer counterclockwise until the notch in the pointer is centered over the index line on the locating tab. (The pointer will move in a clockwise direction during adjustment).
While holding the adjusting washer in position, torque the attaching bolt to 18 lb-ft (25 N.m).
Note: If the pointer does not remain centered over the index line during final tightening, loosen the bolt and repeat the procedure beginning with step 4.
Also,
what is the trick behind tensioning up the belt. The little notch inside has to line up with the marker on the tensioner? IS that all there is to it. THe hex holder on my tensioner is at approx 3 oclock position and the belt is still running towards the outside.
Thanks,
Ciprian