1998 Ford Contour code P1381

Tiny
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  • 1998 FORD CONTOUR
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 10,450 MILES
Changed timing belt car was running rough and no power now the care is running great but still have check engine light with code p1381. When I did the timing belt and line up with the marks on the balance r and oil pain the car ran like garbage like it was running on 2 cylinders so I pulled number 1 plug and got TDC that way and locked the cams in and put the belt on know the car runs the best ever but still have check engine light and code p1381 which is the vct over advanced the book shows using a pin into the block to lock in the crank is this a must on this car and will this code come in if it is a tooth out on the timing belt
Monday, July 5th, 2010 AT 6:03 PM

11 Replies

Tiny
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It sounds like you did everything right. However, yes you can be a tooth off on the crank. When you replaced the belt, was the mark on the crank at 12 o-clock or more toward 1?
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Wednesday, July 7th, 2010 AT 10:35 PM
Tiny
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THE MARK ON THE BALLINCER WAS AT 7 AND 8 0CLOCK WHEN I PUT IT BACK ON THE CRANK AND THE NUMBER ON PLUG AT TDC
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Thursday, July 8th, 2010 AT 8:47 PM
Tiny
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Does the engine have the dual overhead cams?
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Thursday, July 8th, 2010 AT 9:24 PM
Tiny
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Yes it does
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Thursday, July 8th, 2010 AT 9:51 PM
Tiny
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Look at this site and let me know if you followed these directions.

https://www.2carpros.com/car_repair_information/year/1998/make/ford/model/contour/1998_ford_contour_timing_belt_diagram_marks.htm

This is the way to set it.

Let me know.

Joe
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Friday, July 9th, 2010 AT 8:25 PM
Tiny
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https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/546803_IMG_7184_2.jpg



https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/546803_IMG_7185_1.jpg

Here is the trouble i have with the way it is to be set up i locked in the both cams when i go to the crank the marks do not match with TDC on number 1...
if you look at the balance r the 2 white marks on the left are the ones that are etch into the balance r the one on the right is the one that matches the tdc for number one plug.. there is no mark there i put it there just to show how it lines up
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Saturday, July 10th, 2010 AT 4:42 PM
Tiny
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You mentioned that the cams are in place but the crank doesn't match up on #1. Is there a reason you can't loosten the belt and line it up?
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Saturday, July 10th, 2010 AT 7:21 PM
Tiny
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When I put the crank on the marks and the oil pain the car runs like crap it is like it is ruining on 2 cylinders the way it is set in the picture is the way the car runs good and has power I have tried it on both marks the picture is the way the car runs the best but gives me the p1381 code
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Saturday, July 10th, 2010 AT 9:02 PM
Tiny
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The only thing I can think of is this. If you stand on the passanger side looking at the cams, the one on the right (even when locked in place) can move Is it possible that you are moving it when installing the belt?
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Saturday, July 10th, 2010 AT 10:22 PM
Tiny
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Any thing is possible I real dont think so but if it did move how can I tell/put it to the right position?
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Sunday, July 11th, 2010 AT 6:03 AM
Tiny
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Place the belt on that cam last so nothing moves.
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Sunday, July 11th, 2010 AT 10:47 PM

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