Ford Zetec-E, I4 Engine Timing Belt Drive

The Ford Zetec-E engine primary drive system generation will be presented. The Zetec-E engine has been developed for a high volume production. The engines are produced in three engine plants with an installation capacity of 1.2 Mill. engines p.a.

This paper describes the design features for the timing belt drive concept of the Ford Zetec-E engine family. The first engine was launched in January 1992 at Bridgend Wales (UK) and other plants are located in Cologne, Germany and Chihuahua, Mexico. The continuous improvement of the timing belt drives as well as the vehicle installation and packaging requirements for the world wide Ford power trains led us to the latest upgrade generation for MY 1999.

In depth a technical view is taken into the different timing belt concepts, with idlers and various tensioning systems. The influence of a valve train with variable camshaft timing and none VCT applications will be evaluated. The experience during the development of the Zetec-E inline engine family shows the real lifetime robustness and capability for timing belt drive systems, as well as its potential for 150 K miles durability.