Its the timing belt isn't it?

[Roybatty]

The wife has a puddle jumper she takes from back and forth from Newark, DE to College Park, MD. Ford ZX2 2001, DOHC 2 liter, the other day, the engine dies on 95NB just before tunnel; she is able to pull it over to shoulder and get it towed home.

Electric is fine, fluids good, starter seems to be free wheeling; ie not engaging flex plate on ATX. I haven't had a chance to start pulling things apart; dang cold in the garage.

The car has 103k miles and I do not believe the timing belt was ever changed, its a non interference motor. Based on the symptoms/information, is it highly likely the timing belt broke

[green-lantern]

Not really enough info. The starter thing is weird. Are you sure the battery has enough charge to engage the starter?

[Roybatty]

Battery is good, starter is turning, no clicks/clicking; but its not a grinding sound, more of a higher speed sound, like its freely spinning. I should try to capture the sound and post...

[DocWalt]

Not really enough info.

[stealthee]

If its spinning over really fast, then there is no compression because of bent valves. If the timing belt were just broke then it would still sound normal when it turned over because compression would still be building.

EDIT: Did some googling and it appears that some say it IS an interference engine.

http://www.fixya.com/cars/t3091570-h...ng_belt_brakes

Some people are just stupid in other posts I found. They seem to think that just because there are valve reliefs that it can't be interference. Uh, then why are DOHC 3s's interference? They obviusly have valve reliefs.

Also, even if it is non interference, that doesn't mean bent valves can't happen. Some have bent valves on SOHC's and they are non interference. I have seen bent valves on a Ford 302 and its definitely non interference.

[Roybatty]

Thanks for insight Stealthee. I have been trolling ZX2 forums, they sound pretty sure the timing belt break doesn't automatically mean bent valves; http://teamzx2.com/threads/17532-70-...ght=bent+valve

Its warmed up a little today so, I'll remove the timing covers, get the wife to try starting it and see whats moving and not. I ordered the timing belt kit, won't be able to check compression without the belt anyway, that will be for next weekend when parts come in.

[Roybatty]

Removed the timing belt cover to check things out. Timing belt is a little loose, but to my astonishment the front idler pulley is sitting on an angle, and after further investigation found the idler pulley bolt sheared off! It must have loosened and then after some fatigue stressing, snapped. Its an aluminum head, guess I will be using some extractor next weekend.

[Roybatty]

Update. Finally got this friggin car fixed. Had to do the timing belt. Got it all together, but still had issues which seemed timing related, such as lack of power and sputtering. Sound familiar??? Yep, changed the plugs and wires and she runs like a champ. Non-interference engine FTW!!!