Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Zetec Maintenance Timing belt running offcenter?????? Hitting cover

So as you guys know i finished up a timing belt job a while back on my moms ford contour 2.0L I4.

I checked up on the belt and parts today after the oil change and i noticed the belt is getting a little scorched along the edge facing away from the engine (the exterior side).

Its nothing major but it seems like the belt is running off center on the sprockets.

If anyone knows why its running that way please let me know. I would like to have it run down the center or away from the exterior to prevent any damage to the belt edges. The tension seems to be fairly low but the car isnt showing any signs, so its not missing time. I just want to avoid what happened previously when the idler seized up.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you. CIprian

This is the procedure I used from a web site on ford motors specific to my I4.

REVISED TIMING BELT & TENSION SETUP ON 2.0L

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.

Keep an eye on it. Mine did the same....rubbed a little on the end, didn't go further than that.

so is it supposed to run like that offcenter?

It seems to be ripping little strings out of the belt. It looks like its too far in my opinion.

I will take some pics tomorrow of the belt for you guys. I want to seal this thing up, but the burned rubber smell isnt really what i expected. Otherwise the car runs great.

Any other signs? does it mean the tensioner is too tight or too loose if its doing this? I noticed if i tighten it the seems to run off even more, but no results if i loosen it from the 3 to 4 o clock position. Just more wobble.

My belt is close to the edge but if it's tearing the belt up, then there's a problem.

No damage yet, but it seems to be trying to run into the wall. Like little thread like strings are visible around that edge. The rubber and and teeth are all perfect. It has about 1/16 from the outside, and 1/8 from the inside. SO i can see the metal reflecting when the engine runs on the outside.

Ive taken the car for a 100km drive, revved to 5000rpm on the spot and no issues. Just those strings are bothering me. Am i doing something wrong with the tension?

I looked at my old belt and it looks perfect after 94000 km.
Thats why its troubling me. I think the tensioner is the only thing at fault, because im not sure on the setting.

Is there a fool proof way of adjusting the tension? Any pics of it being done?

Thanks for all of the help guys. Your advice has helped me a lot.

It isn't supposed to run off center. If you set it up somewhere off center once you start the car the belt will "center" itself. Point being mine (my first timing belt install) was off by very little, frayed the edge of the belt, and after that inital issue didn't fray anymore. The belt lasted another 40k before I changed it.

Im still not sure why its doing that tho. What im afraid of is the belt getting weaker and stripping itself as it did when it had too much tension (the outside was stripped and the engine stalled).

This all started when an idler wasnt replaced during a routine belt replacement at a local shop at 94000km. Then all hell broke loose since i had to fix the timing myself. Now its running offcenter and its on its 3rd belt.

All of the other components are new. I just cant find what im doing wrong, it has to be the tensioner setting for sure, am i right?

This is a sketch of what mine looks like. Ill get some real shots later on today when i get back.



Thanks Again,
Ciprian

I had my Timing Belt replaced at the dealer and they said it was caused by the tensioner i.e. loose belt. They also replaced the timing cover on my belt to a larger one.

i never thought of that, the top cover?

Do you by any chance know what the cover came from?

Also the tensioner was too loose? Mine seems to be running better with a loose tensioner vs a tight setting.

Maybe i could drive it a bit or let it run in the garage without the top cover and see if the belt shows any wear.

Ive replaced the tensioner and all idlers so that step is done, just the cover is left.

Thank you for the suggestion. Anyone else experience this problem?