How to lock Ford Focus engine for removing timing assemble

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
The belt is under 50 dollars and figure aprox 2 hours labor. If you want, follow the belt routing diagram site listed on this page to see how to set it and do it yourself. Let me know if you have questions.

Joe
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Saturday, August 31st, 2019 AT 10:00 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SKYRAT1991
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  • 2 POSTS
  • 2000 FORD FOCUS
  • 1.8L
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 170,000 MILES
Hi there. My little Focus suddenly stopped working a few weeks ago. The break down mechanic said that the timing belt had gone. After getting the car home I examined the timing belt myself and it was fine. A little worn but still holding strong and so were the tensioners.
The problems was when I tried removed the spark-plugs. The plug that was in cylinder 1 had a bent head. Looking through the hole I could see an impact mark on the piston head and a small disc like object next to it, (a valve head). The timing belt has not gone so how could this have happened. The other cylinders seem fine as well. Also, is she repairable?
Its a Petrol 1.8 16v Zetec
Thank you for any advice you can offer
Anna
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Saturday, August 31st, 2019 AT 10:01 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
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You are looking at the "timing belt" not the "serpentine belt"?

. If you are correct. Maybe the timing belt stripped or jumped cogs on the shafts. But still remains in place (now out of time)

Many vehicle's owner's manuals stress changing the timing belt at 60,000 mile intervals. Some more. Some less

The medic
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Saturday, August 31st, 2019 AT 10:01 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
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May have dropped a valve, you will have to see if the engine turns over by hand and see if the valve train still works, if not the timing belt has failed, regardless you will have to pull the head and see what damage has occurred, but it sounds like it may be beyond economical repair and a second hand engine may be the best option.
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Saturday, August 31st, 2019 AT 10:01 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SKYRAT1991
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Hi there.
I have been unable to remove the lower timing belt cover due to a rounded bolt so I cant see whether its all in good condition. I can turn the engine but as soon as it hits about 11 o'clock it stops dead. If I turn it counter clockwise it gets to the same point and does the same. Through the sparkplug hole I can see what must be one of the valve heads laying on top of the piston. It looks as if it broke off and the piston rammed it into the sparkplug, crushing its gap and denting the piston head.
When it happened there was no indication that anything was wrong. No bang, shudder or anything. It just wouldn't turn over. The engine is a high miler but it has always felt as tight as a drum. Hopefully its just cylinder 1 that is damaged. I will remove the head to see what condition the cam shafts are and then the piston cylinders later this week. Would it be possible to just replaces the valves and repair or replace the piston head?
Thank you
Anna
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Saturday, August 31st, 2019 AT 10:01 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
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A lot of work and expense cheaper to fit a second hand engine, but you can fix it if you want to. You can just do one cyl if you feel that that is all that it needs.
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Saturday, August 31st, 2019 AT 10:01 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PTB
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  • 3 POSTS
  • 2000 FORD FOCUS
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 225,000 MILES
Belt is missing teeth and wont turn everything to top dead center together. Why can't the cams be turned into position without the belt on?
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Saturday, August 31st, 2019 AT 10:01 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Because you could have the valves hiting on the pistons.
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Saturday, August 31st, 2019 AT 10:01 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PTB
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Thank you, total novice in this department. I thought it could be something like that. Would it be the best to put the new belt on loose. Turn the cams by the crank, then loosen the cam sprockets. Then turn the crank to top dead center?
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Saturday, August 31st, 2019 AT 10:01 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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I would back the pistons off top dead center by 90 degrees then set cam timing. Then bring the pistons into place just to be on the safe side.
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Saturday, August 31st, 2019 AT 10:01 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PTB
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Thanks, that is what I decided to do before I read you reply. I am glad I made the right choice. Unfortunately I do not have an impact, and cannot break the cam bolts loose. I had a friend hold a wrench on the cam flats. Any suggestions?
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Saturday, August 31st, 2019 AT 10:01 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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They actual make a tool for holding the cam sprocket to break loose the cam bolts. Are you trying to replace the cams seals? Is that why you are trying to get the cam bolts loose?
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Saturday, August 31st, 2019 AT 10:01 AM (Merged)

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