A Sad Day

[chrisanthony]

hey guys

It’s a sad day today, well at least for me lol. While driving into work after going home for lunch, my 96 escort lx (auto) broke down on the highway. While I was driving it just stopped working and I steered it to the shoulder. I had a tow truck deilvery to my place.

I don’t know why but here’s the symptoms I received earlier today.

-Kind of knocking and squeeking from the passenger side.
The squeeking came from the timing belt and maybe the knocking is from the idler pullery.. not sure

- After the car broke down I saw some smoke coming from the left side of the engine, the timing belt side.

-It had a faint electrical smell.

-After trying to start it, it cranks but wouldn’t start or turn over.

-Battery and all works fine and half tank of gas.

- It’s Déjà vu to when my timing belt first went.


Just to let you guys know I replaced my timing belt a few months back.

Would you guys have any suggestions or advice?


Thanks,

Chris

[denisond3]

Sorry to hear of your disappointing situation.
It certainly sounds like a timing belt failure. You would of course check this by having someone crank the engine 'over' and seeing if the camshaft is turning. When you replaced the timing belt, did you also replace the tensioner on the water pump? It also comes with a new water pump.
And of course if the serpentine belt came off it may have gotten jammed to where it distorted the timing belt cover enough to rub against the timing belt - and cause it to fail.
As part of the repair you should make certain the crankshaft position sensor isnt damaged.
Since all of my cars are old (I have 87's through 94's), I plan to and normally do have one more car in the driveway than there are drivers. And normally one of my cars is getting worked on. Today I began replacing the bushings that hold the steering rack assembly, in the 92 LX.

[12Ounce]

I think that engine is a non-interference engine. It should crank over if the belt breaks .... remove the plugs and try it by hand.

There is a chance you have a dropped valve seat ... stopping the piston travel. I hope not.

[Intuit]

I don't know about the '96s but the '94 & '95 have a waterpump that is driven by the timing belt. As the waterpump bearings wear it allows the pulley to begin wobbling on it's axis more & more. (can do by hand) That free-play accelerates wear on the timing belt and allows for extra slack. The waterpump is designed with a special, loose backplate that makes a noticeable clack clack clack clack clack sound when smacked by the fins of the pump. (the wobble allows this) This is the warning that it needs to be replaced and in my case, got it I'd estimate a good 10k before leak or catastrophic failure. Recommend giving the spring-loaded timing belt tensioner some assist prior to locking it into place.

While at it, roll ALL of your pulleys and listen for any unusual noises.

[AzTumbleweed]

The first time I replaced my timing belt I left the cover off. That way I can inspect the belt, water pump, etc. Also saves a lot of time on subsequent replacements.

[FordMan59]

Just remove the timing cover and check the timing belt all the way around. These timing belts sometimes shear teeth off and let the timing get so far off that the vehicle won't run, but the belt is still intact. If it is a broken timing belt the Escort engines are non interference engines so all you have to do is line up the timing marks and put another belt on it.

[chrisanthony]

hey guys..yea a mechanic changed the timing belt as well as the tensioner and waterpump, but i'm starting to think he did a crap job on my car and now i dont think he is in business anymore..

I marked a spot of the timing belt with a pen..when i cranked it moved..how would i check the camshaft? where is the camshaft sensor located?

[chrisanthony]

Originally Posted by FordMan59

Just remove the timing cover and check the timing belt all the way around. These timing belts sometimes shear teeth off and let the timing get so far off that the vehicle won't run, but the belt is still intact. If it is a broken timing belt the Escort engines are non interference engines so all you have to do is line up the timing marks and put another belt on it.

i think its behind the tensioner. how would i remove the timing belt cover?..

[Intuit]

Remove the tensioner by turning the bolt counter-clockwise. The Haynes manuals are very detailed and worth the buy on the Escorts.

[chrisanthony]

Originally Posted by Intuit

Remove the tensioner by turning the bolt counter-clockwise. The Haynes manuals are very detailed and worth the buy on the Escorts.

so once i remove the tensioner i can get the timing belt case off correct?..then i can see whats going on ?..when taking out the
tensioner i dont have to drop the engine or nothing that serious rite?

[Intuit]

For the '94s and '95s you can remove the t-belt cover without removing the mount and moving the engine. But I have no idea regarding the '96s. Made a number of changes for that year and above.

[chrisanthony]

Originally Posted by Intuit

For the '94s and '95s you can remove the t-belt cover without removing the mount and moving the engine. But I have no idea regarding the '96s. Made a number of changes for that year and above.

i'm pretty sure you can..but just in case i'll check the haynes manuel....

[mightymoose_22]

If you want to see if the cam is moving just have someone watch through the oil fill hole to watch for moving parts.

This is a non-interference engine... a simple timing belt replacement should have this car back on the road if it isn't already. You said that mechanic did a crap job... so I guess it is running again but not running well? What makes you think its a crap job?

[chrisanthony]

Originally Posted by mightymoose_22

If you want to see if the cam is moving just have someone watch through the oil fill hole to watch for moving parts.

This is a non-interference engine... a simple timing belt replacement should have this car back on the road if it isn't already. You said that mechanic did a crap job... so I guess it is running again but not running well? What makes you think its a crap job?

Hey guys..

Just came back from a trip. I think he did a crap job because, first of all the timing belt isnt supposed to go within a few months and ever since i took it to that guy, i've been hearing wierd sounds. I have a feeling he put in crappy parts when i told him to put in new parts. Lastly he is not in business any more and that is good, so other people wouldnt get ripped off.

[chrisanthony]

well be taking the car in to the mechanic tomorrow. Wish me luck!! lol