'93 Escort Down -- timing belt again???

[towser42]

Well, I don't know yet whether I screwed up, or my luck is just bad, but my Escort ('93, manual tran, 1.9L) just died again. Ten days ago it was the timing belt, so I spent a large portion of last weekend changing the timing belt. I also replaced the serpentine belt and I tried to replace the water pump but was unable to remove it (that's another thread on the board) so I just replaced the tensioner instead. I'd never done this before and I thought I had done pretty well, although it took me far too long.

Everything was fine for four days and the car was driving great, but then today the engine died again on my way home. This seemed similar to the timing belt going, but with a little more of a jerk. It's dark, and I just got home after being towed, so I haven't checked to see if the belt is gone again, but, assuming it is the belt, what could I have done wrong? I'm sure I set the timing points correctly (if I hadn't, it wouldn't have driven well for four days, would it?). Could the bolt on the tensioner have been too tight or too loose? Would that do it?

Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Jet-Lee]

If the tensioner was too loose, maybe your belt jumped. Guess you'll just have to look and find out...:\

[towser42]

Thanks, I will. I thought the purpose of the tensioner was to keeps that from happening. How tight does it have to be? I don't have a torque wrench (guess I should get one, huh?), but I thought I made it pretty tight to start with. Oh, well, live and learn. I guess this time I'll cut and replace the hose so I can get that waterpump out properly.

Another weekend under the hood!

Thanks, again.

[towser42]

If the new timing belt has jumped, but is otherwise undamaged, is it safe to keep using, or should I replace it again?

[Snow93]

probly fine, no sence wasten to much money..