98 ford escort

some cars have an interference moter and if the timing belt brakes it could cause internal damage in some cases but some times nothing happens. It really depends on the driving condion when it happends. As long as the timing on and you dont hear a knock or upper end noise you should be ok

Are you sure that this is a timing belt?
If it is the one that you can see just by opening the hood, that is not the timing belt. The timing belt is not visable without engine work.
If is the one that is visable, that is your serpentine belt and will not cause any timing problems.


I know that this may be simplistic, but sometimes people don't get the right information. If you are sure that your problem is the timing belt, then "littlebigbronco's" advice is the way to go. It usually isn't a job for the unskilled.

Good luck.
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Ok i will let you know... Yes im sure its the timing belt because my bearings in my tensioner went out .. But yeah thanx for the advice

This is a non-interference engine so a new belt and tensioner is all you need to do.

I have a 97 Escort and the same thing happened while I was at a stop light. The tension pulley broke loose and the serpentine belt shredded all over the place. I've replaced the tension pulley, the tension pulley sensor, and I still don't have a car that runs. Is this similar to your problem?

If so, what did you do to fix it?

CraigFL, several other posts concerning the ZX2 have suggested that the engine IS an interference engine...I did some research on various automotive parts websites, and they all list it as interference.

liszt, you mentioned your serpentine belt...which is probably different than the timing belt (I'm not a pro)...but I know that in the ZX2, there is a timing belt (which you can't see) and a drive (serpentine) belt that you can see. If the drive belt breaks, no big deal...just replace it and you should be in good shape (fingers crossed). Check all of your pulleys and the auto-tensioner to make sure they're ok. If the timing belt breaks, it could cause massive internal engine damage (= buy a new car). Good luck though!

I use the Gates site to determine if engines are interference type (www.gates.com) since they are one of the top belt makers. It doesn't show the 2.0L as an interference type but I also looked at the Dayco site(another belt manufacturer) and it does show interference. I'm not sure which is correct??

Good job cragfl lol I replaced the timing belt and it runs just fine.... Hey liszt umm IF your cared just sudeenly died at a stop light and it wouldnt start back up and it sounds like the engine is turning over more freely i would deffidently check your tinming belt and the pulleys. But yes my escort now runs and all i did was replaced the shattered pulley and the timing belt so i guess its not and interference engine?