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Hi. I don't know if you have found your answers yet or not, but I will offer my experience with this. I had a 1995 Escort LX Wagon that had the timing belt break around 88,000 miles. So at 70,000+ it certainly wouldn't hurt to change, especailly since the cost of the belt is cheaper than any kind of valve damage that may result of breakage. Anyway, being the cheapskate that I am, I did install the new one myself, with only minor difficulty. The first thing I did was obtain a Haynes manual that covered the car, and started in. Briefly, this is what I went through, at least this is what I remember from about 4 years ago: remove engine mount bolts so engine can be raised somewhat to gain access, remove cover off of timing belt, before steps outlined in manual to align cam with crank as well as adjustment of tension pulley. (this is important! I didn't follow it closely enough at first and could not get the belt on until I followed it, step by step). Put the cover back on, lowered the engine, re-connected motor mounts, and I was done. I was fortunate in the fact that no valve damage occurred when the belt broke so the car started right up, and ran for another 40,000 miles before we traded it in. One other note: when I went to my local autoparts (NAPA) I was given the wrong belt,(teeth were wrong) so if you can, take the old belt with you to save a trip.
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10-01-2003, 10:49 AM
