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