99 zx2 2.0 DOHC threw timing belt while driving need help timing both camsshafts toge - Page 2 - Ford Forums

backlash1 · 07-26-2007, 04:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZX2bluegirl

My BF was driving my car today, and on the way to actually pick up a friend who was stranded on the side of the road, my ZX2 began to slowly slow down. There were no noises, and now almost check lights are lit up on the dash. When he tried to restart, the car cranks and has lights/radio, but fails to start. We were thinking since my car has 130,xxx miles on it and is a '99 that it needs a new timing belt. Does this sound reasonable. By reading the info in this thread we have taken most of the car apart and are inspecting parts. There's only 20psi compression, so that was a concern. If this is the case, we have an issue. Due to work prior done on the underside of my car, it's pretty much impossible to take out the cat converter. Does anyone have any suggestions or comments on what might be wrong with my car? Thanks!

Hi
If you've never bothered to change the timing belt, then more than likely it snapped. The easiest way to confirm this is to pull either the upper timing case cover or the rocker cover (see picture AA 1528-A in this post and look in the opposite direction to where the arrow is pointing).
One more thing, if you have just 20 psi compression then this probably means that you bent the valves. If so, you'll have to pull the head off and repair it or replace it. cheers

Marc

ZX2bluegirl · 07-26-2007, 21:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by backlash1

Hi
If you've never bothered to change the timing belt, then more than likely it snapped. The easiest way to confirm this is to pull either the upper timing case cover or the rocker cover (see picture AA 1528-A in this post and look in the opposite direction to where the arrow is pointing).
One more thing, if you have just 20 psi compression then this probably means that you bent the valves. If so, you'll have to pull the head off and repair it or replace it. cheers

Marc

From what I've read, this motor is a freewheeling motor, and it is impossible to bend the valves...

Anyway, we found what the problem is. One of the plastic pullies failed and cracked away from the metal center, thus loosening the belt and eventually causing the car to jump time. The belt doesn't look real bad, but we'll replace it anyway. Now to find a new pulley...

backlash1 · 07-27-2007, 23:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZX2bluegirl

From what I've read, this motor is a freewheeling motor, and it is impossible to bend the valves...

Yep. That's what everyone says. And then they go: Oh Shit! My valves ARE bent! If you don't believe me, have a browse through the Mondeo/Contour/Mystique forum, which have an engine similar to yours and see the posts for yourself. I REALLY hope this didn't happen in your case, but I'm not holding my breath.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZX2bluegirl

Anyway, we found what the problem is. One of the plastic pullies failed and cracked away from the metal center, thus loosening the belt and eventually causing the car to jump time. The belt doesn't look real bad, but we'll replace it anyway. Now to find a new pulley...

I've also seen this problem before. The serpentine belt tensioner pulley fails, the belt snaps or falls off and gets tangled behind the crank pulley, goes into the timing case through the bottom hole and causes the timing belt to jump. If your car doesn't start after you get the timing back to normal do another compression test and the results will tell you if the valves are bent or not. Good luck

marc