Ford EscortFord Escort ZX2 is a hot-looking compact coupe with a rakish design. Yet its handsome interior reveals a roomy back seat and surprisingly large trunk. ZX2 provides responsive handling and good road manners and its engine delivers decent power. At the same time, the ZX2 is a practical car, with plenty of room in the back seats for friends.
I have an 01 ZX2 and have a nasty squeal coming from the camshaft area. I had a local mechanic look at it and say it was a bad idler tensioner and a bad pulley on the serpentine belt. He was wrong. I still have the squealing noise. It's not the belt, it was replaced at beginning of year.
It doesn't squeal right at startup, and it's an intermittent type squeal/high pitched noise. I had the hood up while it was making the squealing noise and took the engine oil cap off, the pressure released and the noise stopped altogether. I put the cap back on, and within a minute the noise was back. I have the actual Ford repair shop manual for the 01 escort, but not sure where to go from this point. I haven't taken the head apart yet, cuz it is my daily driver right now.
i dont know how the 2.0 is, but i know the taurus with the SOHC 3.0 uses the old distributor hole for a cam sensor and those make all kinds of noise that sounds like belt noise. so check out to see if your cam sensor is a hall effect or mechanically drivin
__________________
BroncoJoe19
2006 Alt Fuel Jeep (electric)
'98 windstar 3.8L
'99 Crown Vic 4.6L
'90 Full Size Bronco 5.0L
I'm not a professional mechanic, take my suggestions with a grain of salt, or a cup of coffee
At the bottom of each post there is a little icon
Clicking it gives feedback to the moderators, and poster regarding which posts are most helpful.
I checked vacuum lines and checked the Crankshaft breather filter.. The breather filter was clogged and wasn't allowing any air in.. Replaced it for $10 and no noise!! Amazing how something so simple can fix a problem. I found the solution here:
I had the hood up while it was making the squealing noise and took the engine oil cap off, the pressure released and the noise stopped altogether. I put the cap back on, and within a minute the noise was back.
SWAG: Sounds like something to do with the PCV system (opening the oil cap releases pressure). Check/replace (theses parts are pretty inexpensive) the PCV valve, the hose and grommet.
__________________ Peace, it's our only chance
1998 E150 Club Wagon, 4.6L Modular, E4OD
2007 Milan. 3.0L Duratec, Aisin 6 speed AW-F21 others I look out for
2007 Escape 2wd (the mini Pumpkin), 3.0L Duratec, CD4E
2008 Mazda3 5 door, 2.3L, 5 speed manual
Glad you found the problem, and thanks for posting back the solution!
__________________
BroncoJoe19
2006 Alt Fuel Jeep (electric)
'98 windstar 3.8L
'99 Crown Vic 4.6L
'90 Full Size Bronco 5.0L
I'm not a professional mechanic, take my suggestions with a grain of salt, or a cup of coffee
At the bottom of each post there is a little icon
Clicking it gives feedback to the moderators, and poster regarding which posts are most helpful.
Shopping for new Ford can be a stressful experience especially if you don't have the right information. Our new car research center at CarEverything.com can help relieve this stress and bring the joy back to new car buying!
The Car Blog, or TCB for those who are acronymically inclined, is alive because some of today's top Web designers needed a place to drool and bitch about their motor vehicle obsessions.
Read the auto blog at Automotive.com to get the latest news and opinions, view the newest concept cars, and join discussions with auto experts from around the world.