Trouble removing the bolt from the camshaft pulley on Mercury Mystique

NOTE: Ford does not provide camshaft gear timing marks, or information to perform timing belt service without the special tools shown in this procedure.

REMOVAL
1. Drain engine coolant from radiator and cylinder block by removing the drain plugs.
2. Remove the intake manifold.
3. Remove exhaust manifold.
4. Remove camshafts.
5. Remove valve tappets from cylinder head, then support front of engine with wood block between crankshaft pulley and front subframe.
6. Remove righthand engine lifting eye bolt, then righthand engine lifting eye.
7. Remove power steering pump mounting bracket and cylinder head support bracket.
8. Remove camshaft timing belt tensioner pulley and front cover from front of cylinder head.
9. Remove water thermostat housing from cylinder head as follows:
a. Raise and support vehicle.
b. Disconnect crankcase ventilation tube from positive crankcase ventilation valve.
c. Disconnect upper radiator hose and radiator overflow hose from water hose connection.
d. Remove water outlet connection bolts and water hose connection from water thermostat housing.
e. Remove water thermostat and seal from water thermostat, then seal from water thermostat housing. Inspect seals for damage and replace if necessary.
10. Remove ignition coil bracket from cylinder head as follows:
a. Disconnect fuel charging wiring or engine control sensor wiring from ignition coil, then ignition wires by squeezing locking tabs and twisting while pulling upward.
b. Remove ignition coil bolts or screws, then coil.
c. Remove ignition coil bracket.

Fig. 11 Cylinder head bolt removal sequence


11. Remove spark plugs from cylinder head, then cylinder head bolts in sequence. Discard cylinder head bolts.
12. Remove cylinder head and head gasket from cylinder block.
13. If necessary, remove lefthand engine lifting eye from cylinder head.
14. Inspect cylinder head and cylinder block, then replace components as required.

INSTALLATION
1. Reverse procedure to install, noting following:
a. Clean cylinder head intake manifold, valve cover and cylinder head gasket surfaces. Ensure flatness of cylinder head and cylinder block gasket surfaces meets specifications.

Fig. 12 Cylinder head bolt tightening sequence



b. Torque new cylinder head bolts in sequence, first to 15-22 ft lb, then to 30-37 ft lb. Finally tighten all bolts an additional 90-120° in the same sequence.

On the 1999 mercury mystique I don't believe the timing is adjustable? Your PCM (powertrain control module) will take care of it.

YOU HAVE TO REMOVE TIMING BELT.NOT A HARD JOB BUT YOU NEED A REPAIR MANUAL TO LOOK AT TIMING BELT TIMING MARKS LOCATION ON CAMSHAFTS CHAIN SPROCKETS AND CRANKSHAFT GEAR TIMING MARKS.

Timing Belt and Sprockets REMOVAL & INSTALLATION Fig. 1: If you plan on reusing the timing belt, make sure you note the direction of the rotation before removal Fig. 2: If the special tool is unavailable, a suitable length and width straight edge can be used to align the camshafts Fig. 3: Camshaft alignment using the special service tool Fig. 4: Insert the crankshaft damper bolt to turn the crankshaft and . . . Fig. 5: . . . align the camshafts and the . . . Fig. 6: . . . crankshaft before removing the old belt Fig. 7: Loosen the timing belt tensioner pulley bolt, slide the tensioner back and . . . Fig. 8: . . . tighten the bolt to the farthest right hand side as possible to hold the release the tensioner pulley so that the belt can be removed Fig. 9: . . . remove the belt starting from around the camshaft pulleys Fig. 10: Installation of the tensioner spring and retaining bolt For information on timing belt recommended replacement interval, refer to Section 1. CAUTION
The 2.0L engine is an interference motor. Extending the replacement interval could lead to the belt breaking and severe and costly engine damage. Care must be taken if rotating the crankshaft or camshafts with the belt off, if resistance is felt, do not force them to turn.

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the timing belt covers as outlined in this Section.
3. Remove the valve cover.
4. Place Camshaft Alignment Timing Tool T94P-6256-CH or equivalent, into the slots of both camshafts at the rear of the cylinder head to lock the camshafts into position. NOTE: If the special tool is unavailable, a suitable length and width straight edge can be used to align the camshafts.
   
5. Loosen the camshaft timing belt tensioner pulley retaining bolt and move the tensioner pulley to relieve the tension on the timing belt.
6. Temporarily tighten the tensioner in this position. NOTE: If the timing belt is to be reused, mark the belt for the direction of rotation before removing to prevent premature wear or failure.
   
7. Remove the timing belt.
8. If required, remove the sprockets as follows:
   1. Hold the camshaft with an appropriate camshaft sprocket holding tool.
   2. Loosen and remove the camshaft sprocket retaining bolt.
   3. Remove the sprocket from the camshaft.
   4. Repeat the procedure for the 2nd camshaft sprocket.
   5. Remove the crankshaft sprocket.
9. Slide the crankshaft sprocket onto the crankshaft aligning the key-way.
10. Align the camshafts using the Camshaft Alignment Timing Tool T94P-6256-CH. NOTE: If the special tool is unavailable, a suitable length and width straight edge can be used to align the camshafts.
    
11. Reinstall the sprockets onto the camshafts and loosely install the camshaft retaining bolts.
12. Tighten the camshaft sprocket retaining bolts to 47–53 ft. lbs. (64–72 Nm) .
13. Loosely install the crankshaft pulley to verify that the engine is at TDC. Realign the marks if they have moved.
14. Verify that the camshafts are aligned. NOTE: It is recommended to purchase a tensioner spring and retaining bolt through the dealer parts to apply the proper tension for used or new belt installations. The spring is bolted to the tensioner assembly and becomes a part of the engine. Ignore this notice if the tensioner spring is already installed.
    
15. Reinstall the retaining bolt (W700001-S309) into the hole provided in the cylinder block and place the tensioner spring (6L277) between the bolt and the camshaft timing belt tensioner pulley.
16. Tighten the retainer bolt to 71–97 inch lbs. (8–11 Nm) .
17. Remove the crankshaft pulley and install the timing belt onto the crankshaft sprocket, then onto the camshaft sprockets working in a counterclockwise direction.
18. Tighten the camshaft sprocket retaining bolts to 47–53 ft. lbs. (64–72 Nm) .
19. Be sure that the span of the camshaft timing belt between the crankshaft sprocket and the exhaust camshaft sprocket is not loose.
20. Be sure that the camshaft timing belt is securely aligned on all sprockets.
21. Reinstall the lower timing belt cover and tighten the retaining bolts to 53–71 inch lbs. (6–8 Nm) .
22. Apply silicone sealer to the key-way of the crankshaft pulley and install. Tighten the retaining bolt to 81–89 ft. lbs. (110–120 Nm) .
23. Inspect the timing mark on the crankshaft pulley to verify that the engine is still at TDC.
24. Loosen the camshaft timing belt tensioner pulley retaining bolt and allow the tensioner spring attached to the pulley to draw the tensioner pulley against the camshaft timing belt.
25. Remove the camshaft alignment timing tool from the camshafts at the rear of the engine.
26. Turn the crankshaft two revolutions in a clockwise direction.
27. Tighten the camshaft timing belt tensioner pulley retaining bolt to 26–30 ft. lbs. (35–40 Nm) .
28. Recheck that the crankshaft timing mark is at TDC for the No. 1 piston, and that both camshafts are in alignment using the camshaft alignment timing tool. NOTE: A slight adjustment of the camshafts to allow the insertion of the camshaft alignment timing tool is permissible as long as the crankshaft stays at the TDC location.
    
29. An appropriate camshaft sprocket holding tool can be used to move the camshaft sprocket (s) if a slight adjustment is required.
30. If a camshaft is not properly aligned, perform the following procedure:
    1. Loosen the retaining bolt securing the sprocket to the camshaft while holding the camshaft sprocket from turning with the sprocket holding tool.
    2. Turn the camshaft until the camshaft alignment timing tool can be installed.
    3. Verify that the crankshaft timing mark is at TDC for the No. 1 cylinder.
    4. While holding the camshaft sprocket with the camshaft sprocket holding tool, tighten the retaining bolt to 47–53 ft. lbs. (64–72 Nm) .
    5. Remove the tool and rotate the crankshaft two revolutions (clockwise) .
    6. Verify that the camshafts are aligned and that the crankshaft is at TDC for the No. 1 cylinder.
31. Install the valve cover.
32. Install the timing belt covers.
33. Connect the negative battery cable.

Hi, Disconnect battery ground cable, then drain coolant. Remove accessory drive belts. Remove A/C compressor drive belt idler pulley (tensioner) bolts, then idler pulley (tensioner). Remove upper radiator hose bracket bolt. Loosen two upper radiator hose clamps, then remove upper hose and bracket. Remove coolant bypass hose between thermostat housing and intake manifold coolant outlet. Disconnect main wiring harness from upper front cover (timing belt) cover, then remove eight upper timing belt cover bolts, then the upper cover, Fig. 20. Raise and support vehicle. Remove right front wheel and tire assembly and splash shield. Use strap wrench tool No. D85L-6000-A, or equivalent, to hold water pump pulley while removing water pump pulley bolts. Remove water pump pulley from water pump. Remove crankshaft pulley. Remove five lower timing belt cover attaching bolts and the cover. Rotate crankshaft in a clockwise direction to align crankshaft and camshaft sprocket timing marks, Fig. 21. If timing belt is to be reused, mark direction of rotation. Loosen timing belt tensioner nut, then remove timing belt. CAUTION: With timing belt removed, avoid turning camshaft or crankshaft. If movement is required, exercise extreme caution to avoid valve damage caused by piston contact.
Take care

you need a ball joint fork, this goes between the spindle and the balljiont then you hit it with a hammer to split, also a assume you removed the bolt from the spindle holding the balljoint,

You either have the wrong belt, or it's not on correctly. Make sure all of the pulleys are secure. (Like the power steering pump support bracket isn't loose) The diagram for the belt is usually under the hood.

Ford TSB 99-25-4 provides the following corrected information:
To achieve proper timing belt tension on this engine, Ford says the camshaft sprocket bolts should be loosened enough to permit the sprockets to turn freely on the camshafts. Once this has been done, rotate the crankshaft clockwise so cylinder No. 1 is at top dead center. Then, install the camshaft alignment tool in the camshaft slots to hold the cams in place.

1. Back out the tensioner bolt four full turns and position the tensioner so the locating tab is at approximately the 4 o'clock position. Line up the hex key slot in the tensioner-adjusting washer with the pointer that is located behind the pulley.
   
2. Working counterclockwise from the crank sprocket, install the timing belt.
   
3. Rotate the tensioner locating tab counterclockwise and insert the locating tab into the slot in the rear timing cover.
   
4. Position the hex key slot in the tensioner-adjusting washer to the 4 o'clock position.p>
   
5. Tighten the attaching bolt enough to seat the tensioner firmly against the rear timing cover, but still allow the tensioner adjusting washer to be rotated using a 6 mm hex key.
   
6. Using the hex key, rotate the adjusting washer counterclockwise until the notch in the pointer is centered over the index line on the locating tab. (The pointer will move in a clockwise direction during adjustment).
   
7. While holding the adjusting washer in position, torque the attaching bolt to 18 lb-ft (25 N.m).
   Note: If the pointer does not remain centered over the index line during final tightening, loosen the bolt and repeat the procedure beginning with step 4.

This is for both size engines since you didn't list the motor size......


REMOVAL & INSTALLATION 2.0L Engine

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove air intake resonators.
3. Remove the air cleaner-to-throttle body tube and the mass airflow sensor.
4. Unplug the connectors and remove the cables from the alternator.
5. Raise and support the vehicle.
6. Release the drive belt tensioner and remove the drive belt from around the alternator. NOTE: It is not necessary to remove the drive belt from the engine.
   
7. Remove the alternator mounting bracket bolts and remove the mounting bracket.
8. Lower the vehicle.
9. Remove the power steering pressure hose bracket retaining nut and bolt and remove the bracket with the hose from the engine lifting eye.
10. Remove the alternator mounting bolts and remove the alternator from the vehicle. To install:
    
11. Place the alternator into position and install the mounting bolts finger tight.
12. Install the power steering hose bracket and tighten the retaining nut and bolt to 70–106 inch lbs. (8–12 Nm).
13. Raise and support the vehicle.
14. Install the alternator mounting bracket and retaining bolts and tighten to 15–22 ft. lbs. (20–30 Nm).
15. Release the drive belt tensioner and install the drive belt pulley over the alternator pulley.
16. Lower the vehicle.
17. Tighten the alternator mounting bolts to 15–22 ft. lbs. (20–30 Nm).
18. Install the alternator connectors and the cables. Tighten the terminal nut to 80–97 inch lbs. (9–11 Nm).
19. Install the air cleaner-to-throttle body tube, mass airflow sensor, and the air intake resonators.
20. Connect the negative battery cable.

You are quite right, there are no timing marks on the camshaft pulleys. One of the marks on the crankshaft pulley, the one that is furthest counter-clockwise, lines up with a raised mark on the oil pan,at about 5 O-Clock as viewed from the front. The special tool to position the camshafts is a straight bar that aligns the slots on the rear of the camshafts. These are supposed to be aligned before the belt is removed. If the engine is turned without the belt installed, some of the valves can be damaged. Hope this helps.