01 ZX2 timing belt

[onebad93]

Does anybody here know if the 2.0 DOHC engine in my car is an interference engine or not? I have seen in some places that it is and some places say no. My tensioner pulley bolt broke off the other day and I at first thought that it was out of gas because it was low so I got some and put it in and tried starting it and it turned over for a while and then it just stopped. so I pullet off the cover over the cam gears and then I saw the bolt broke and the pulley just laying there. Do you think that I put the pistons into the valves or might this little cheap car have a feature on the engine that it won't start if it jumps time? Kind of need to know. I checked for parts at autozone and they say that it is an interference engine but other places say no. I am going to call around to dealership and what not to try and find out also but any help would be appreciated.
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[Davescort97]

Jacksonville, Florida...Welcome to AF.

Your zx2 is definately a non-interference engine. The valves won't go through the pistons if the timing belt breaks or skips time. The reason it won't start is because it has jumped time. I would just replace the tensioner and idler pullies, the water pump and the belt itself. Don't let anyone (dealer or otherwise) tell you that it is an interference engine. It is not! I guarantee it! I've been around the block a few times with Escorts. ~Dave~

[onebad93]

thanks man. I am glad to hear it. now I can get back to it and fix it so that I can drive it again.

[onebad93]

now I have another question. I have been looking all over for a manual on how to do this timing belt change and the haynes and chilton websites stop at 2000 and 1999 model years respectively. I don't mind doing the work myself but i would like to know how to do it. if anyone can point me in the right direction it would be helpful. I mean is there a bid difference in the different years of the cars and the engines. I read on here that some years have two idler pullies and some only have one. Mine has two, and what special tools if any will I need to do this? thanks a ton y'all.

[Davescort97]

The previous year's Haynes will be good enough to show you how to replace the timing belt and keep it in time. You'll need a camshaft tool to hold them in place while you replace the belt. If you don't have the tool a 90 degree piece of angle iron will work. It's a straight timing belt change and you shouldn't have any trouble.

[onebad93]

can you get the camshaft tool at autozone?

[Davescort97]

I don't know. They seem to have specialty tools for all kinds of things.