Timing Belt

Well, I'm guessing the noise I was hearing had a relationship to the timing belt, because it snapped when my dad was on his way home from work. Can someone give me some light, and tell me this engine is not a valve bender? Either way, it's going to need to be replaced, obviously. How much of a pain in the ass is it to replace the belt on this car? Are their some instructions someone could possibly give me? Refer to this (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=384554) thread for some background.

im assuming you have a zetec?

If so yes its a non-interference motor. do you have a 95-97 or a 98-00?

Hmm, I'm not really sure. It's sitting out in the pouring rain right now, and I don't feel like checking it now. All I know is it's a '99 2.0l DOHC. I can let you know tomorrow though exactly what it is if the info I gave you isn't sufficiant.

that's enough info :)

Here's a how-to on a post 98 Contour to change the timing belt:

http://www.contour.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=zetecmaint&Number=739483&fpart=1&PHPSESSID=

It doesn't look very hard, Just time comsuming.

While you're down there you should probably change your water pump also.

i replaced mine not too long ago its not hard so to say but takes a wile.
if you dont have pashents then i would take it to a shop.

that's enough info :)

Here's a how-to on a post 98 Contour to change the timing belt:

http://www.contour.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=zetecmaint&Number=739483&fpart=1&PHPSESSID=

It doesn't look very hard, Just time comsuming.

While you're down there you should probably change your water pump also.

Wow, that's exactly what I was looking for. Thanks. I got the top timing cover off, and that belt got chewed up pretty good. Do I have to worry about that rubber getting anywhere it wasn't suppose to? Was this just simply the belt that was giving way, or is there a pulley or tensioner that I'm going to have to look into replacing in there?

You might have to replace the timing belt idler pulley, I know on mine it causes the timing belt to "slap" I don't know if thats your case. I would inspect them to make sure, but if they roll without any play then they sould be fine.

JimR- Replacing a timing belt on a pre 98 is different then replacing a timing belt on a post 98.

How exactly can I tell if the cams are in the position they're suppose to be in? I've called and looked all over for the service tools reccomended in the how- to that was posted, but the numbers don't match anything that the Ford dealerships I've called. Is the picture that is on that how-to aligned the way it should be?

EDIT: One more thing, how the hell do I get the idler off? The bolt is on there so tight. I was able to get it to move maybe .10mm, and I can move it back and forth as so, but it will not unscrew any further than that.