15 problems related to engine belts and pulleys have been reported for the 1997 Ford Escort. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The vehicle made a loud noise while driving. Consumer stated a rubber piece was loose inside the engine. The damp assembly separated and moved forward into the fender wall through the serpentine belt.
Engine service light stays on while driving. This is caused by an oil sensor failure due to a hole in the oil pan which rusted the belts per mechanic.
While driving 30 mph crankshaft pulley fell off.
Consumer states there is noise coming from engine compartment. Dealer found damper failed belt caught between damper and fender well was damaged. Replaced damper and belt.
Bottom pulley/crankshaft has slowly separated and cut into the firewall. When turning left, the engine tilts and the crankshaft pulley cuts into the right fender. The mechanic says it is due to defect.
Crankshaft/pulley broke as consumer was driving on the highway, and she heard a loud noise coming from underneath the hood. She took vehicle to a repair shop.
Timing belt was broke had replaced it car only runs on 2 cylinders car not running.
05/25/1999; while driving at 35 mph, the head gasket on engine "blew out" car was undriveable. On 07/15/1999; the horn started honking continuously on it's own, when car was parked & locked. Had to remove fuse to shut off. Dealer said it was a bad air-bag module, not covered by warranty, cost $ 675. 00. 07/25/99, crankshaft pulley broke off, car not driveable. I note 4 other reports on this web-site for the crankshaft pulley, and 1 each for the head-gasket & horn/airbag problems + many other airbag problems.
While driving at 60 mph crankshaft pulley fell off without prior warning.
While traveling 45mph lost steering power & brakes. Vehicle towed to dealer & was informed by mechanic the alternator belt broke. The pulley had shifted. The damper had failed & pushed the pulley over & caused the alternator to break.
The vibration damper fails and causes the pully to shift, causing the alt. Belt to rub against the side of the car until it breaks. This caused loss of power steering. Extremely dangerous situation caused by a defect in the design of this Ford component.
While sitting at a light vehicle shut down, and engine check light came on. Vehicle shut completely down due to computer module failure. Also, alternator and battery died out, and engine belt, that runs everythng within the vehicle, disconnected due to the harmonic balancer that almost came off. Three sensors were also replaced.
Defective damper pulley in the motor system fell apart, causing the steering and braking to lock up while driving without prior warning, and may cause a crash.
Consumer was driving vehicle at approximately 30 mph; heard a loud banging noise, pulled vehicle over, and noticed engine pulley disconnected. Dealer notified and repaired vehicle at the cost to the consumer.
Consumer stated there was a noise coming from the engine compartment, dealer stated the damper failed and the belt was caught between the damper and fender well.