Ford Repair: ford escort zx2 2.0L, ford escort zx2, idler pulleys

Question
I have a 98 ford escort zx2 and i have no idea on what happened to it i was told that the tensioner froze and caused the timing to slip,  then i was told not to start the engine because it will ruin the engine.  I'm just wondering if it is a non collision engine or not.  well thank you in advance.   Justin

Answer
The 2.0 "zetec" engine in your Escort is considered a "freewheeling" engine which means that a timing belt failure will NOT cause any permanent damage. Some manuals say otherwise, they're wrong.  The timing belt needs to be replaced at 100,000 miles along with the tensioner and idler pulleys or it *will* fail as you described.  Regardless, I would still not attempt to start the engine because (1) it will not start anyway and (2) the fuel injectors will spray fuel possibly causing it to flood when you get it fixed and start it for the first time.  Make sure the belt, tensioner, and idler pulleys get replaced, a whole timing kit costs about $150 and that way you don't risk another bad pulley ruining the new timing belt.  Hope this helps,
Jason