Timing belt problem

My timing belt keeps walking toward the edge of the gears and is slowly rubbing away. What could be causing this? I'm starting to think I got the wrong timing kit. It's a 99.5. Has the schrader valve on the fuel rail. Build date is 2/99 if it helps.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• zx2
• Ford
• escort
• zetec

[99fordzx29]

@MrTexaszx2 Oh I guess I could update this. The belt kept walking off of the gears because the aftermarket crank pulley I had was some how warped. Once i swapped back to stock the belt stayed right in the middle of the cam gears. I think I did also redo the timing just to be on the safe side. Looking at this video again it does look pretty funky how theres slack on the timing belt under the idler pulley.

[MrTexaszx2]

so....did you ever fix this problem?

[99fordzx29]

@KBlanes Is yours a 98/early 99? Or a 99.5+? Im wondering if that idler is even necessary. Regardless i havent had the time to look at it recently. But Ill be messing with it next week.

[KBlanes]

I HAD this same problem. My timing belt blew. After I had my car all back together, it ate 2 brand new timing belts. After the first timing belt shredded, I bought a new timing belt and new timing component kit which had all 3 new pulleys. After installing all of them and new belt, it shredded again. Take the BOTTOM crank pulley off, tension the belt and there you go. Do NOT put the crank idler pulley back in. It fixed my problem of it walking off, shredding and tearing up the timing cover.

[99fordzx29]

@duffman61089 Hmm I havent checked while its running to see if it spins. Im assuming it does bc it does make enough contact on the pulley to spin theres just not that much pressure on the pulley. Ive been told either the belts out of spec, which I can believe or i need to retention the timing belt.

[duffman61089]

when you crank it does it touch the tensioner?