1999 Ford Escort ZX2 Serpentine Belt Keeps falling off

[brokeneagle]

The most common application for the double sided belts are for the Volkswagens with the VR6 engines.

[tcarsw]

Add a washer behind a new belt idler pulley and it will fix the belt from coming off. This method will allow the belt to move closer to the engine by 1/8 to 3/16 of an inch.

[kadir1982]

i got u...i think its the steering wheel fluid leaking around there somewhere thats the only thing i can think of...by the way my car is 2005 zx4 ses 2.0 motor ford focus...and yes it is a new belt that keeps coming off...just got done putting it on...i hope it wont fail me in the morning before i go to work...if u have anymore insights i d appreciate it..thank you

[GrindTimeAuto]

@kadir1982 the only other option is the double-sided belt it has ribs on both sides so it works like a car tire any liquid just goes through the grooves while the belt maintains contact with the pulley

[ZX2ManDave]

Here is a diagram for the belt:

econtent.autozone.com:24991/zn­etrgs/repair_guide_content/en_­us/images//0900c152/80/08/d8/3­8//medium/0900c1528008d838.gif

[GrindTimeAuto]

exactly! you can put a double sided belt on to keep the belt from sliding off

[sceniak]

@GrindTimeAuto My 1998 escort is having the same problem.. I've looked around and called a ford dealership and everyone I talked to thought I was crazy and said there's no such thing as a double sided belt.. help?

[GrindTimeAuto]

@sceniak Wow they really have no idea!.There is definitely a doubled sided belt!!!!!! Not everybody knows of this.Napa carries them.associated auto parts,norwood has them.you measure your belt or bring it with you so they can match it.The double-sided belt is perfect for a belt that keeps slipping off the pulley.THERE ARE DOUBLE-SIDED BELTS

[grettagrids]

@GrindTimeAuto gates makes a double sided belt for ones like the dodge caravan becuz they like to fall off when wet. I just changed it back to the original though since the tensioner was bad and the original parts are cheaper. hasn't fallin off yet with the new tensioner, even in the rain:)

[sceniak]

@GrindTimeAuto My 1998 escort is having the same problem.. I've looked around and called a ford dealership and everyone I talked to thought I was crazy and said there's no such thing as a double sided belt.. help?

[GrindTimeAuto]

@sceniak YOU ARE NOT CRAZY DOUBLE-SIDED BELTS DO EXIST I've been in this car game for a long time!

[kadir1982]

@GrindTimeAuto how u doin, my belt keeps coming off every third or second day after i put it on,pulley seems to be fine, its not wobbly and the belt isthe right size, i cannot figure out y it keeps coming off after couple of days...one thing i can say is there is either oil leakage or steering wheel fluid leakage around the area everytime i put the belt back on...could that be the reason? u r very helpfull, thank u, please get back to me

[GrindTimeAuto]

@kadir1982 is it a new belt?the belt always slides off at the same place cause it is using the smooth back side of the belt over the pulley.water is usually the cause.you have to find out what is getting the belt wet

[aftermathsample305]

My 1998 ZX2 recently had this problem, very hard rainy day, and mid drive the belt came off, i immidietly thought the tensioner was weak or had some sort of trouble, maybe needed replacement. Are you saying that the rain water might have caused the belt to slide off the water pump pulley?? please let me know!!

[chrisluv100]

hey what is the number of that belt?

[GrindTimeAuto]

@chrisluv100 I don't know,You have to call a ford dealership

[chrisluv100]

hey what is the number of that belt i need a belt for my car

[GrindTimeAuto]

@chrisluv100 part # depends on the brand of belt.

[chrisluv100]

hey can u help me plz am from st.kitts n i am trying to get a belt for me car, can u plz tell the # of that belt.

[chrisluv100]

hey can u help me plz am from st.kitts n i am trying to get a belt for me car, can u plz tell the # of that belt.

[ericxfresh]

For me, the serpentine belt tool was too wide, but I was able to use a 13 mm wrench. My belt seems to come off in the rain or bad weather. There are some belt diagrams from google images, which is what i used. I typically don't take the wheel or bracket off.

[GrindTimeAuto]

@ericxfresh serpentine belt tool with shallow socket works perfect.Your lower idler pulley is probably bad.These belts alway fall off at the water pump pulley