Is the 2001 Ford escort ZX2 L4-2.0L DOHC engine

ford escort/ focus engine 2.0 l spi sohc 1997-2004 has been identified as an intereference engine and that means very likely valve to piston damage
( auto data timing belt information )
note-- up to 2002 year Ford has not recommended a timing belt interval for changing
Ford has however recommended a replacement every 120.000 miles using the service history as a guide
however good professional trade practice recommends every 60.000 miles ( 100.00klms) and the replacement work should include replacement of the crank and cam shaft seals and idler pulleys involved ( the biggest destroyer of belts is oil)
recommended labor time is 2 hours
if the belt has broken then head removal and valve work will add up to 5 hours to that time

The Ford Escort ZX2, the 2.0 liter is a interference engine,The valve and the piston kissed each other as they met with a broken timing belt,Just to let you know a cam position sensor does not create rough idle, it can stall the engine at a stop sign,but the solution is a valve job, and who ever put the timing belt on after the job should have done a cylinder effeciency test.

Not sure if it's interference or not, but even if it is that doesn't mean you have damaged the engine. It is worth a few bucks for a belt if you can do the labor yourself. If you want to try, I can probably send you instructions. Lemme know.

This is a non-interference engine. Anyone saying anything different is using an old book. Some Ford dealers might even tell you it is interference. There are reliefs cut into the top of the pistons to clear the valves if the belt breaks. There is a how-to posted here and on Team ZX2 .com

Click on the following free direct Link. It has the Serpentine Belt Diagrams for your 2001 Ford Escort ZX2 2.0L DOHC In-Line 4-Cylinder Engine with Engine Options (AC/No AC etc.). Plus additional Instructional and Directional Diagrams.


http://www.2carpros.com/car_repair_information/year/2001/make/ford/model/zx2/2001_ford_zx2_drive_belt_routing_diagram.htm

Let me know if this helped, or if you have additional information or questions. Feel Free to contact me at FixYa.com!

Click on the following free direct Link. It has the correct Serpentine/Drive Belt Diagrams for your 1999 Ford Escort ZX2, 2.0L DOHC In-Line 4-Cylinder Engine.
The Link says 2000 for the Year, however this is the same as the 1999 Year Model.

http://www.2carpros.com/car_repair_information/year/2000/make/ford/model/zx2/2000_ford_zx2_drive_belt_routing_diagram.htm

Let me know if this helped, or if you have additional information questions. Feel Free to contact me at FixYa.com!

The straight answer is that it most likely is a interference engine, but you dont really know until its confirmed, plus special tools are needed to align the cam timing. Any repair shop can do a cyl leakage test to confirm that for you.

The tensioner is between the a/c compressor and crank pulley, below the power steering pump. Use a 13 mm wrench to 'tighten' the bolt in the center of the pulley and it'll move to release tension off the belt.

the engine will fit, u will need all the electronics and all drive train parts as well

cam shaft timing marks on back of cams ,two slots ,use a flat piece of metal to align .remove no1 spark plug and drop long thin screwdriver down it to bring piston just below tdc,then align cams so both cams are on the rock (valves closed) with knob on back cam aligning with pick up sensor left side between lobes.then bring piston up to tdc and fit belt.turn engine over twice with socket on bottom pulley to make sure no valves clear pistons.Remember to remove flat edge from back of cams i didnt last time and bent my home made tool