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Last Tuesday, I left work for home at about 4 AM. As I turned onto the highway, I felt a slight hesitation, but then the engine ran fine. The only thing I noticed was that it was louder than usual under the hood. I figured I had possibly gotten an air leak in the CTA, so I would check that out when I got home. About 20 miles or so into the trip, I pull off the highway into my subdivision. As soon as I got to the Stop sign, the CEL came on. I wasn't far from the house, so I continued on, barely feathering the gas. (In my heart of hearts, I suppose I'm ready to be out of this car, but I digress...)At every stop sign thereafter, the car would die, but would restart and I could continue on. As I pulled up to the house, I could hear a racket coming from the engine bay. I shut it down and made plans to call my mechanic first thing in the AM. The car would not start when I went out at 8 AM, so I had it towed to the mechanic's garage, about 1.5 miles away.
Turns out, the timing belt had sheered off a considerable amount, but had not snapped. Replaced the belt and tensioner for $350 (suprised at the low cost!).
I figure that it ran okay on the highway, but not in subdivision due to VCT. That is my best guess...
Since the timing belt replacement however, the car is quite sluggish (moreso than usual...this thing has always been a bit of a turd) from a stop. Any ideas?
Sorry for the long post. Just happy the engine wasn't toast! (Somewhat....I'd love to get into a Jetta or Mazda 6 right about now!)
2000 Silver Frost SVT
# 1637/2150
D.O.B. 01/14/2000
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 17,248
CEG road warrior
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CEG road warrior
Joined: Aug 2001
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Originally posted by t-red2000se:
Last Tuesday, I left work for home at about 4 AM. As I turned onto the highway, I felt a slight hesitation, but then the engine ran fine. The only thing I noticed was that it was louder than usual under the hood. I figured I had possibly gotten an air leak in the CTA, so I would check that out when I got home. About 20 miles or so into the trip, I pull off the highway into my subdivision. As soon as I got to the Stop sign, the CEL came on. I wasn't far from the house, so I continued on, barely feathering the gas. (In my heart of hearts, I suppose I'm ready to be out of this car, but I digress...)At every stop sign thereafter, the car would die, but would restart and I could continue on. As I pulled up to the house, I could hear a racket coming from the engine bay. I shut it down and made plans to call my mechanic first thing in the AM. The car would not start when I went out at 8 AM, so I had it towed to the mechanic's garage, about 1.5 miles away.
Turns out, the timing belt had sheered off a considerable amount, but had not snapped. Replaced the belt and tensioner for $350 (suprised at the low cost!).
I figure that it ran okay on the highway, but not in subdivision due to VCT. That is my best guess...
Since the timing belt replacement however, the car is quite sluggish (moreso than usual...this thing has always been a bit of a turd) from a stop. Any ideas?
Sorry for the long post. Just happy the engine wasn't toast! (Somewhat....I'd love to get into a Jetta or Mazda 6 right about now!)
Your timing is off. Probably a tooth off.
Are you getting a CEL? The VCT solenoid going out causes sluggishness too. 
Hector
2003 Rally Red Mitsubishi Evolution VIII
257HP/259TQ
2005 Lapis Blue Mazda 6s
RET: 00 Cabernet Red Ford Contour Zetec ATX SUPERCHARGED
160HP/141TQ
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no, no CEL. Still sluggish, though...
BUMP!
2000 Silver Frost SVT
# 1637/2150
D.O.B. 01/14/2000
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Addicted CEG\'er
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Originally posted by t-red2000se:
no, no CEL. ...
Scan it, just in case there is an intermittent code.
"Always do the cheap and easy ones first."
1996 V6 ATX 96K miles
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 17,248
CEG road warrior
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Originally posted by Tony2005:
Originally posted by t-red2000se:
no, no CEL. ...
Scan it, just in case there is an intermittent code.
What he said. CHECK THE TIMING! 
Hector
2003 Rally Red Mitsubishi Evolution VIII
257HP/259TQ
2005 Lapis Blue Mazda 6s
RET: 00 Cabernet Red Ford Contour Zetec ATX SUPERCHARGED
160HP/141TQ
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 508
Veteran CEG\'er
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It can be a little bit off in timing and not trip the CEL. Common cause is when the tech did the job they didn't loosen the cam gears so they turn freely when tensioning the belt. Cams and Crank need to be locked, and cam gears loosen before installing the new belt. Tensioner and rollers should also be replaced at the same time. Gates has a great timing component kit.
JD a.k.a Fingers
"Don't Panic"
'98 Contour GL 2.0L VCT ATX 88k
'98 Contour LX 2.5L MTX 120k
Street racing can kill
just less of a chance with a 2.0
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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 |
Cam gears do not need to be loosened.
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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Originally posted by Kremithefrog:
Cam gears do not need to be loosened.
I have VCT timing on the ex and a adjustable camgear on the intake (not really need for my setup). I loosened the VCT bolt to cam but on the adjustable just loosened the adjustable plate. When after applying the tension the pointer on the intake adjustable gear was 3deg on the retard side... So if you don't want you locking tool to get jammed and you want the timing on the button yes you do need to loosen the gears..
JD
JD a.k.a Fingers
"Don't Panic"
'98 Contour GL 2.0L VCT ATX 88k
'98 Contour LX 2.5L MTX 120k
Street racing can kill
just less of a chance with a 2.0
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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 you don't. Hold the cams.
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: Oct 2002
Posts: 64
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
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Absolutely! The same thing happened to me. Going home, it seems a bunch of teeth were sheared off the timing belt without the belt itself snapping. After the mechanic replaced the belt, the car was a bit sluggish. It would start fine, but every so often with no consistency to it, the engine would spaz out on acceleration.
It turns out that the VCT compensates A LOT for a poorly timed engine, but it still needs to be done right. Have it checked!
'98 Mystique Zetec w/ auto trans
103,900 miles
Kenwood KDC-MPV7017 CD/MP3 HU
Kenwood KFC-6889ie 6x8" 3-way speakers
'96 Mystique Zetec ATX
108,000 miles
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