wrote:
> Just my rotten luck:
>
> Back in summer of 2003, had a local independent change
> out my 1996 Ford Contour(Mondeo) belt, low 60,000s.
>
> He had the car for three days, because he did all the work
> himself. Second day, got a phone call from this guy: "Hey
> look, sorry this timing belt is taking longer than I thought.
> There's one end where I can't get the belt off, I'll have to
> lift the whole engine out".
>
> Got it back later on third day, don't remember how much
> he charged, maybe $200-250?
>
> Four months later, November, coming home from cross-
> state on a six-lane, heard a loud buzzing sound, figured
> it was some Ricer-mod going by in the passing lane.
>
> Minute later noticed my engine was losing pickup. We
> managed to exit the highway and coast all the way to a
> tire & alignment place that was closed on weekends.
> Called AAA and got a tow to a local garage five minutes
> from home. Next day, diagnosis: 'Timing belt failed'.
>
> So WTH did the first garage do, over the summer when
> I had the belt replaced at interval?

Have seen that happen with a failed tensioner and more often with a
cheap or cloned belt. They will shear the teeth off and slip.

--
Steve W.