things to look for bad on a contour/cougar zetec?

[Jorgen]

Alright I have a deal working on a 4 popper contour with 99k and a removed timing belt. Anyone have anythign that I shoudl look for on this motor with the belt off? I hav a great deal working on it and will have the car back on the road for like 500 but just want to make sure there isn't anything that zetecs typically have wrong that I might miss being a duratec guy my whole time here. I would buy the car replace the belt send my cougar home for the winter (let my dad drive it probably since his car is laid up with a popped tranny and he drives about 60 miles less in a day than I do) then come spring give/sell him the contour and take my cougar back. Input anyone? I think i am going to end up doing this just wanted to check if there was anything that I might miss on this car.

Thanx

[ducttapepro03]

Alright I have a deal working on a 4 popper contour with 99k and a removed timing belt. Anyone have anythign that I shoudl look for on this motor with the belt off? I hav a great deal working on it and will have the car back on the road for like 500 but just want to make sure there isn't anything that zetecs typically have wrong that I might miss being a duratec guy my whole time here. I would buy the car replace the belt send my cougar home for the winter (let my dad drive it probably since his car is laid up with a popped tranny and he drives about 60 miles less in a day than I do) then come spring give/sell him the contour and take my cougar back. Input anyone? I think i am going to end up doing this just wanted to check if there was anything that I might miss on this car.

Thanx

I've seen quite a few with the valve cover gasket leaking. Check for oil in the plugs. Mine springs a leak there about every 20k :disgust:

[Hardrive]

Only thing I can think to keep an eye out is for the IACV sticking. It keeps your idle high when your coasting or at a stop. I'm sure others will chime about other things, but this is my only issue and I've had mine since 01 and I'm well above 186k on the clock.

HTH

EDIT: I forgot that my belt snapped due to the tension pulley puked it's bearing.

[Jorgen]

So no major it spin bearings like a 2.5 type problems just some smaller type things? thanx for the tips on those things I will look at the plugs.

[Rich2279]

If you are installing a new timing belt, make sure you get the timing kit. This includes the idler(s), tensioner, and belt. You will also need the tool (flat metal plate) for positioning the cams. Good luck

[Jorgen]

Well the guy ended up selling it before I was able to get out and see it so I didn't buy it.

[devanmc]

If you are installing a new timing belt, make sure you get the timing kit. This includes the idler(s), tensioner, and belt. You will also need the tool (flat metal plate) for positioning the cams. Good luck

The timing for the zetec seems to simple. You just need the crank TDC peg and the cam tool(flat metal blade)? Then the rest is self explanitory? - insert crank peg, line up cams with blade, then slip on belt...:bs: (not enough work involved)

[cbman]

That's generally it, but you also have to loosen the cam gear bolts and the tensioner pulley. Once the timing is set you have to tighten the tensioner(there's a "sight" that lines up with a mark) and cam gear bolts. When you're tightening the cam gear bolts its possible for the gear to turn, and if it does you have to start all over again. This is why it helps if you have the tool for holding the cam gears.

[devanmc]

That's generally it, but you also have to loosen the cam gear bolts and the tensioner pulley. Once the timing is set you have to tighten the tensioner(there's a "sight" that lines up with a mark) and cam gear bolts. When you're tightening the cam gear bolts its possible for the gear to turn, and if it does you have to start all over again. This is why it helps if you have the tool for holding the cam gears.

good to know. Im replacing the cam gears(fidanza), removing vct(zxtuner) and maybe putting in a new timing belt(gates racing belt). so its something its good to hears that its pretty simple. Im getting the ford racing timing kit. So i shouldn't have a problem with holding the timing with the metal blade.