92 Ranger timing belt problem

My 92 Ranger began running rough, hard to start, very little torque,
and getting worse as I drove it. I checked the fuel filter and put in
new plugs and wires, but this didn't help. I over-heated the clutch
getting it to the repair shop, where they told me that the timing belt
slipped a couple of teeth, and said that they would charge $450 to
replace it.

I replaced it and the tensioner pulley myself. It did look like it
had slipped a couple of teeth, but I didn't know why, which worried me
a little. I checked for Top Dead Center with a screwdriver in the #1
sparkplug whole (advancing a little at a time several times from both
forward and reverse), and it seemed to be about 10 degrees before TDC
as marked on the crankshaft pulley. However, I went by the marks as
on the crankshaft pulley and camshaft gear, as close as I could get
them to line up.

It ran fine for a couple of days, although engine torque still seemed
to be lacking. Then it started missing bad and has little torque like
before I "fixed" it. When I re-checked the timing, it's only about
half a tooth off by the marks, and that's where I had it, I think.
The belt tension seems good. I'm hoping that I can move the belt a
tooth or two without too much trouble, and tension the belt extra-
good, and that this would fix it.

I've replaced a half-dozen timing belts on various four-bangers
without any trouble. I got this one as tight (tensioned) as the
others. I'm at a bit of a loss as to why the belt's slipping. My
shop didn't indicate that this engine has a problem with this. Any
assist would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks,
John
jfcarpent1@exci+e.com (change "+" to a "t")

jfcarpent1.RemoveThis@excite.com wrote in news:e7801978-2c15-4747-91f6-ee1adb315733
@j22g2000hsf.googlegroups.com:

> My 92 Ranger began running rough, hard to start, very little torque,
> and getting worse as I drove it. I checked the fuel filter and put in
> new plugs and wires, but this didn't help. I over-heated the clutch
> getting it to the repair shop, where they told me that the timing belt
> slipped a couple of teeth, and said that they would charge $450 to
> replace it.
>
> I replaced it and the tensioner pulley myself. It did look like it
> had slipped a couple of teeth, but I didn't know why, which worried me
> a little. I checked for Top Dead Center with a screwdriver in the #1
> sparkplug whole (advancing a little at a time several times from both
> forward and reverse), and it seemed to be about 10 degrees before TDC
> as marked on the crankshaft pulley. However, I went by the marks as
> on the crankshaft pulley and camshaft gear, as close as I could get
> them to line up.
>
> It ran fine for a couple of days, although engine torque still seemed
> to be lacking. Then it started missing bad and has little torque like
> before I "fixed" it. When I re-checked the timing, it's only about
> half a tooth off by the marks, and that's where I had it, I think.
> The belt tension seems good. I'm hoping that I can move the belt a
> tooth or two without too much trouble, and tension the belt extra-
> good, and that this would fix it.
>
> I've replaced a half-dozen timing belts on various four-bangers
> without any trouble. I got this one as tight (tensioned) as the
> others. I'm at a bit of a loss as to why the belt's slipping. My
> shop didn't indicate that this engine has a problem with this. Any
> assist would be greatly appreciated!!
>
> Thanks,
> John
> jfcarpent1@exci+e.com (change "+" to a "t")
>

I highly doubt your belt is sliping, you have another problem. do a
comp check and normal diag. first. KB

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