1999 Ford Escort engine wont start

If you have fuel pressure and good spark (hot blue spark) then either the timing is out or you lost compression for some reason. Are you sure the belt didn't strip or jump a tooth? It is a common problem with these engines.

Let me know.
Joe

I feel confident that is the problem. To check, you have to remove the timing belt covers. There is one on the top of the engine (passanger side) and one behind the harmonic balancer. You need to remove the crank pulley and balancer to remove the cover. Once everything is off, you need to check to see if the timing marks line up. I think you'll find they don't. A little trick to remove the bolt that holds the crank pulley on is this. Get a breaker bar and socket and place them on the crank bolt. Allow the breaker bar to rest against the sway bar that runs under the car and bump the key. The starter will loosten the bolt. Once it is loose, then you won't have any trouble removing the rest. NOTE: Just bump the key so it loostens the bolt enough for you to remove it.

If you go to this web page, it will show where the timing marks should be located. I'm not sure if you have the DOHC or SOHC. Both are on the page, so you will have to look at the one that works with your vehicle.

https://www.2carpros.com/car_repair_information/year/1999/make/ford/model/escort/1999_ford_escort_timing_belt_diagram_marks.htm

Let me know what you find or if you have other questions or need help.

Joe