A belt diagram for your ford escort zx2 98 it's nit under the hood?

Answer 1

there is a diagram of it here:

http://mechdb.com/index.php/Ford_ZX2_accessories_belt_replacement

An extra set of hands helps on this one, no space for two arms and a new serp belt between the pulleys and the car's body. I have had the best luck grabbing and pulling the belt over the water pump pulley from above after the rest was routed, while a helper holds the tensioner loose from below. Have to take the plastic shield off from the wheel well. I pull the wheel off too, but that might not be necessary, just gives you more room to get leverage on the tensioner wrench.

It's do-able alone, if you have some patience and your arms are skinny enough to get down there. You will likely have to remove/relocate other obstacles from above too- coolant reservoir, a few fluid/air lines and wires. I found it was much easier and faster to just pull the wheel and get a friend to hold on to the tensioner for about 2 minutes. A new belt can be tough to get on this vehicle, there isn't a lot of slack even with the tensioner backed all the way in. Two people makes it quick and relatively painless.

Good luck!

Chris

My ZX2 is a 1998 5spd with 251,000 miles and counting. I fully expect at least another 100k from it.