Timing belt 99 escort

I have a 99 escort, 125,000 miles.I know I should have changed it long ago. I am what sounds like a little backfire inside the exhaust. (It is not a loud bang, but very muffled.) I thought maybe it jumped time, so its time to change it( and water pump). When I try to line up the timing marks while installing the new belt, they do not line up exactly. With everything tightened back down, I turn the motor over two complete turns and check marks . The crank sprocket is lined up with the timing mark, but the cam is not. If I move the belt over one tooth, then the mark is off an equal distance on the other side. It seems to be 1/2 tooth off. Am I doing something wrong or should it be off to one side, and if so which side.

Sorry about the long post.

Thanks, Dave

Reply to
endorf
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Had exactly the same problem with a Golf OHC. The cam was 1/2 a tooth out but it didnt seem to effect the perfromance of the car. The pitch of the teeth is sufficiently small to negate any timing issues.

Jason

Reply to
Jason James

Factory recommended interval is 120K

Reply to
Stephan Mynarkiewicz

My Haynes Manual recommend TB change @ 40,000 miles.(1.4 petrol Europian) Is this been over safe?

Reply to
Fool on the Hill

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