Does anybody know ...?

Does any body know if a '90 1.9l fuel injected Escort has a timing belt or a timing chain? It's my sisters car and I don't think its worth spending much time or money on and if it wasn't my sisters then ... . The reason I'm asking is that she just told me that it's started to backfire sometimes. I'm guesing that the problem could be; fuel/air mixture, valves need adjusting or timing is off. It has new plugs, wires ... .Any help is appreciated.

It has a belt

If the belt hasn't been replaced in a long time, it is possible that it has streached enough for it to jump a tooth.

When I replaced my belt last time, I was off by one tooth, and didn't realize it. The car ran, but kinda crappily. After I got all the timing marks aligned, and did it again, I was golden.

Keep in mind that replacing the timing belt is not a quick task. One side of the motor needs to be unbolted and some things removed to get at it. It definatly doable by any joe blow with a haynes manual, but be prepared to spend a few hours doing it if you have never done it before.

Rob D

I've suggested many times on this forum to make a modification to the timing belt cover... by cutting off a portion of the plastic that wraps around at the bottom end and riveting on a length of rubber flap in its place, the timing cover is then easily removed without having to screw around with the engine mounts. After doing this modification it is incredibly easy to access the timing.

thanks guys.

I have heard a few guys suggest the same however I have never been clear do you cut the plastic for the first time with it mounted or do you have to take it all apart first cut then reinstall and cutting helps for the next time that job needs to be done.

Also do you have any photos of this done?

Nope... no photos.

Hmm... when I had the bright idea to cut the plastic I had already removed the cover by taking everything apart.... however, if you can get up in there with a small cutting tool and think you can get the small section that wraps around the bottom (on the firewall side) then give it a try.

Just make sure if you replace this piece of plastic with a rubber flap that it is long enough that it won't get stuck inside the belt area and will stay on the outside.