UNI belt

I am new to this site. I have a 1998 for Escort ZX2 and have had nothing but problems with it :frown: When my car is working great I love it, because I really like my speedy little car. But as of late I have had my UNI belt fall off in one capacity or another at least 6 times in the last 6 months :eek: When this happens, I lose total power (obviously) It used to happen only when I went through major puddles etc. When I worked at Ford they said this was pretty typical. Now it just happened on a Sunny great day :rolleyes: I am thinking of selling and going the import route for reliability reasons. If anyone has a magic cure for this stupid belt problem I am all ears!!!!!!!11

The Serpentine belt flying off shouldn't be typical...On my 1.9L, it hasn't flown off in 13 years.

1. Is the belt worn, cracked or stretched? Need new one?
2. Is the tensioner pully worn out/too loose?
3. Is there a seizing bearing? idler pulley, PS pump, alternator, water pump, AC compressor? Do you hear squealing?

I'd check these things...but I sure wouldn't go to that Ford dealer above.

Put a new belt on it. While you have it off turn the drive pulleys with your hand to check for looseness or bearing roughness. Look and see if the belt rib is in the proper position on the pulleys and not off center to one side.

I really appreciate the replies, so here is a challenge:banghead: I have had appr. 3 new belts in the last six months the newest of the pack was 3 weeks ago which also came with a new tension arm, a new water pump, hoses all changed, oil change, rotated tires and as we speak I am getting a new fuel pump (no squealing) :eek: A little ridic if you ask me, ever feel like you mechanics are a little:screwy:
On another note I have read a little something about additives. Currentley I use fuel, and oil additives because my uncle owns a company that produceds these things. Would the problems with the 02, I read about pertain to my year and make of vehicle? Any help is more than welcome:smokin:

There shouldn't be any problem with oil additivies, but I would shy away from any gas additives that don't say "Safe for catalytic converters". I myself use Marvel Mystery Oil in the gas. I put in 4 ounces for every 10 gallons of gas. I have 140,000 miles on her and she still gets 46 miles per gallon on the original oxygen sensor.

You sure the right size belt is on it?

Dozens of different sizes...with/wo AC, with/wo power steering, DOHC vs SOHC. Get your exact engine spec and look up what size you need on oreilly, autozone or advance auto. Also, these sites have an additional engine check digit - it is the 8th character of your vin number.

Example from autozone:

1998 FORD ESCORT ZX2
4 Cylinders 122 3 2.0L SFI DOHC

Is this your engine? Does your VIN have "3" as the the 8th character?

This car calls for a Gatorback 4060855 or Gates K060854. Both are ~ 85.5".