🔧 Escape - Timing Belt Replacement

Your Escape’s 2.0L gas engine does not have a timing belt. It uses a timing chain inside the engine, so there is no timing belt service interval to replace like on belt-driven engines.

If you are trying to fix timing noise, chain rattle, or cam/crank timing fault codes, the correct repair is timing chain replacement, not timing belt replacement.

Difficulty Level: Advanced | Estimated Time: 8-12 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ This is not a beginner-friendly maintenance job; incorrect timing can damage the engine.
• ⚠️ Disconnect the negative battery cable before working near the starter, wiring, or timing components.
• ⚠️ Support the engine before removing the passenger-side engine mount.
• ⚠️ Do not rotate the crankshaft or camshafts separately after the timing chain is removed.
• ⚠️ Work only on a cold engine to avoid burns from hot coolant, oil, and metal parts.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 8mm socket
• 10mm socket
• 13mm socket
• 15mm socket
• 18mm socket
• 21mm socket
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 3/8-inch drive torque wrench
• 1/2-inch drive torque wrench
• Metric wrench set 8mm-18mm
• Torx socket set T30-T55
• External Torx socket set E8-E18
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Serpentine belt tool
• Ford 2.0L EcoBoost timing tool kit (specialty)
• Camshaft alignment plate (specialty)
• Crankshaft timing pin (specialty)
• Crankshaft pulley holding tool (specialty)
• Harmonic balancer puller (specialty)
• Engine support bar (specialty)
• Floor jack rated 2-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 2-ton minimum
• Plastic trim clip remover
• Plastic gasket scraper
• Razor scraper
• Oil drain pan 10-quart
• Coolant drain pan 10-quart
• Brake cleaner
• Shop towels
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Timing chain kit - Qty: 1
• Timing chain tensioner - Qty: 1
• Timing chain guides - Qty: 1 set
• Crankshaft front seal - Qty: 1
• Timing cover gasket set - Qty: 1
• Valve cover gasket - Qty: 1
• Crankshaft pulley bolt - Qty: 1
• Engine mount bolts - Qty: 1 set
• Engine oil 5W-30 full synthetic - Qty: 6 quarts
• Oil filter - Qty: 1
• Motorcraft-compatible coolant - Qty: As needed
• RTV silicone sealant engine-grade - Qty: 1 tube

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park your Escape on flat ground and set the parking brake.
• ❄️ Let the engine cool completely.
• 🔋 Use a 10mm socket to disconnect the negative battery cable.
• 🧰 A timing tool kit locks the crankshaft and camshafts so the engine stays correctly timed.
• 📸 Take photos before removing hoses, brackets, and connectors. Photos help during reassembly.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise the Passenger Side

• Use a floor jack rated 2-ton minimum to lift the passenger front side of your Escape.
• Place a jack stand rated 2-ton minimum under the proper support point.
• Use a 21mm socket to remove the passenger front wheel lug nuts.
• Remove the wheel and place it flat under the vehicle as a backup safety measure.

Step 2: Remove the Splash Shield and Wheel Liner

• Use a plastic trim clip remover to remove the wheel liner clips.
• Use an 8mm socket or 10mm socket to remove lower splash shield fasteners.
• Pull the liner back to access the crankshaft pulley area.

Step 3: Remove Intake Parts and Top Cover

• Use a 10mm socket to remove the engine cover fasteners if equipped.
• Use a flat-blade screwdriver to loosen the intake hose clamps.
• Disconnect intake sensor connectors by pressing the lock tab by hand.
• Remove the intake duct and set it aside.

Step 4: Remove the Serpentine Belt

• The serpentine belt is the outside belt that drives accessories like the alternator and A/C compressor.
• Use a serpentine belt tool on the belt tensioner.
• Rotate the tensioner to release belt tension.
• Slide the belt off the pulleys and remove it.
• Draw the belt route first.

Step 5: Support the Engine

• Install an engine support bar across the upper engine bay support areas.
• Attach the support hook to the engine lifting point.
• Lightly tension the support bar until it holds the engine weight.
• Do not lift the engine; only support it.

Step 6: Remove the Passenger-Side Engine Mount

• Use a 15mm socket and 18mm socket to remove the passenger-side engine mount fasteners.
• Remove the mount and bracket from the timing cover area.
• Keep bolts grouped by location.

Step 7: Remove the Valve Cover

• Use an 8mm socket to remove ignition coil bolts.
• Disconnect the ignition coil connectors by hand.
• Pull the coils straight up and set them aside in order.
• Use an 8mm socket or 10mm socket to remove the valve cover bolts.
• Lift off the valve cover carefully.

Step 8: Lock the Engine at Top Dead Center

• Top Dead Center means cylinder 1 is at the top of its stroke in the correct timing position.
• Use a 21mm socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar on the crankshaft pulley bolt.
• Rotate the engine clockwise only.
• Install the crankshaft timing pin from the Ford 2.0L timing tool kit.
• Install the camshaft alignment plate at the rear of the camshafts.

Step 9: Remove the Crankshaft Pulley

• Use the crankshaft pulley holding tool to stop the pulley from turning.
• Use a 21mm socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen the crankshaft pulley bolt.
• Remove and discard the old crankshaft pulley bolt.
• Use a harmonic balancer puller if the pulley does not slide off by hand.

Step 10: Remove the Timing Cover

• Place an oil drain pan 10-quart below the timing cover area.
• Use an 8mm socket, 10mm socket, and 13mm socket to remove the timing cover bolts.
• Use a plastic gasket scraper to gently break the RTV seal.
• Remove the timing cover without gouging the metal sealing surfaces.

Step 11: Remove the Old Timing Chain Parts

• Confirm the crankshaft timing pin and camshaft alignment plate are still installed.
• Use a 10mm socket or Torx socket set T30-T55 to remove the chain tensioner.
• Use a 10mm socket or Torx socket set T30-T55 to remove the timing chain guides.
• Remove the timing chain from the sprockets.
• Do not turn the engine with the chain removed.

Step 12: Install the New Timing Chain Kit

• Place the new timing chain over the crankshaft and camshaft sprockets.
• Match the colored chain links to the timing marks on the sprockets.
• Use a 10mm socket or Torx socket set T30-T55 to install the new chain guides.
• Use a 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the guide bolts to the timing kit specification.
• Install the new timing chain tensioner.
• Release the tensioner only after the chain is seated correctly.
• Check marks before releasing tensioner.

Step 13: Turn the Engine by Hand

• Remove the crankshaft timing pin and camshaft alignment plate.
• Use a 21mm socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to rotate the crankshaft clockwise two full turns.
• Stop immediately if you feel hard resistance.
• Reinstall the timing tools to confirm the timing still lines up.
• If the tools do not fit, correct the timing before reassembly.

Step 14: Clean and Reseal the Timing Cover

• Use a plastic gasket scraper to remove old RTV sealant.
• Use brake cleaner and shop towels to clean the sealing surfaces.
• Use a razor scraper carefully on stubborn sealant only.
• Install the new crankshaft front seal.
• Apply RTV silicone sealant engine-grade to the timing cover sealing path.

Step 15: Reinstall the Timing Cover

• Carefully place the timing cover onto the engine without smearing RTV.
• Start all bolts by hand first.
• Use an 8mm socket, 10mm socket, and 13mm socket to snug the bolts evenly.
• Use a 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the cover fasteners in sequence.
• Torque to OEM specification by bolt size and location.

Step 16: Reinstall the Crankshaft Pulley

• Slide the crankshaft pulley onto the crankshaft.
• Install a new crankshaft pulley bolt by hand.
• Use the crankshaft pulley holding tool to hold the pulley steady.
• Use a 21mm socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the new bolt.
• Torque to Ford crankshaft pulley bolt specification.

Step 17: Reinstall the Valve Cover

• Install the new valve cover gasket into the valve cover.
• Set the valve cover onto the cylinder head.
• Use an 8mm socket or 10mm socket to start all bolts by hand.
• Use a 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the valve cover bolts evenly.
• Torque to OEM valve cover specification.
• Reinstall ignition coils with an 8mm socket.

Step 18: Reinstall Engine Mount and Belt

• Use a 15mm socket and 18mm socket to reinstall the passenger-side engine mount and bracket.
• Use a 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten mount bolts.
• Torque to OEM engine mount specification.
• Use a serpentine belt tool to rotate the tensioner.
• Route the serpentine belt correctly and release the tensioner slowly.

Step 19: Reassemble the Wheel Well and Wheel

• Use a plastic trim clip remover to reinstall wheel liner clips.
• Use an 8mm socket or 10mm socket to reinstall splash shield bolts.
• Install the passenger front wheel.
• Use a 21mm socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten lug nuts.
• Torque to 135 Nm (100 ft-lbs).

Step 20: Reconnect Battery and Check Fluids

• Use a 10mm socket to reconnect the negative battery cable.
• Check engine oil level and top off with 5W-30 full synthetic.
• Check coolant level and top off with Motorcraft-compatible coolant.
• Look around the timing cover before starting the engine.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Start the engine and let it idle. Listen for abnormal chain noise.
• ✅ Check for oil leaks at the timing cover, valve cover, and crankshaft seal.
• ✅ Watch the temperature gauge and check coolant level after warm-up.
• ✅ Let the RTV cure according to the sealant label before hard driving.
• ✅ After a short test drive, recheck oil level, coolant level, and belt alignment.
• ✅ If the check engine light comes on, scan for camshaft/crankshaft timing codes before driving farther.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $1,500-$2,800 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $300-$750 (parts only)

You Save: $1,200-$2,050 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 8-12 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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