Tdc

Hi Folks,

(I had this in the Escort forum for a couple of days with no hits; I didn't know there was a separate zx2 forum)

-new to the boards; apologies if this question has been hashed to death and I just didn't see it in my archive search: Are there any marks for (anywhere) for cylinder 1 TDC?

Here's my story: I had an accessory belt idler pulley die on my zetec (2000 Escort ZX2). When I got down to the pulley, I saw that I only had a short way to go to do the timing belt also (120k, might as well...). I did not set the engine to cyl 1 TDC, I brashly thought I could slip the old belt off and the new belt on. Oops. Okay, second try, I lined up the grooves on the end of the camshafts by eye (didn't have the official camshaft alignment tool). Everything back together, runs poorly, I assume I missed the timing. Take covers off, yup (insert Maxwell Smart voice: missed it by that much...). Made myself an alignment tool, everything back together, runs much better than the earlier try, but something is definitely wrong. While driving, I get bucking, hiccups, etc., primarily on acceleration and deceleration. Steady speed/rpm is fine.

"Check Engine" light is on. I used the code reader and it tells me I have a crankshaft position indicator failure.

Do crankshaft position indicators really fail? I'm thinking I just still have the crankshaft timing buggered. I eyeballed TDC (stick down cylinder, watched for rise/fall while moving crank) when putting the belt on; maybe things slipped during reassembly... Before I get back into the belt, is there a mark somewhere to show I'm really at TDC? I see there is an alignment pin available, but darned if I can find where it would go.

thanks much,
Kevin

On the crankshaft gear, there should be 3 notches. There is also a notch on the oil pan. what you need to do is line the second (or middle) notch on the crankshaft up with the notch on the oilpan. then u should be at TDC compression. just make sure that it is right by rotating the crankshaft clockwise at least 4 full rotations. Just do not force it. If u come across a restriction the something else is wrong.

Thanks for the info. All set now. I pulled the valve cover off and indeed had things mis-aligned (again :disappoin ) Got to TDC, lined-up the camshafts, got it all back together and (almost) running like a champ now.

thanks again,
Kevin