Hello.

Actually, I wanted to change the timing belt of my 1.6L EcoBoost today, but I did a little mistake and would like to know what you think about it.
At first, everything went fine. I successfully installed the crankshaft locking tool and rotated the crankshaft with unscrewed spark splugs to TDC. The Locking Tool for the Variable Camshaft Timing Unit did fit perfectly. But then I got distracted by my family for longer and when I returned to my car I was tired and decided to rotate the crankshaft to TDC again. This was stupid because the timing belt and the locked VCT Unit should not allow too much movement anyway.

Sadly I forgot to remove the locking tool for the VCT Unit when I tried to turn my ratchet. I really don't think I turned it too vigorously (the lever is only about 9 Inch long), but there was a soft creaky noise like when a rope is being stretched. Of course I stopped immediately. When I turned the engine to TDC before, I had measured the peak torque (just for fun) and it was always under 15 ft-lbs to turn the crankshaft. After my mistake I removed the locking tool for the VCT Unit and carefully rotated the crankshaft again. The Locking Tool for the Variable Camshaft Timing Unit did fit perfectly again and the peak torque was still under 15 ft-lbs all the time. But I noticed 2 issues:

• While rotating the crankshaft the creaky noise is still there at some positions (not always).
• I feel it takes a little bit more torque to keep rotating the crankshaft sometimes after it started to rotate, so the difference between max torque and min torque seems to be less then before. But I did not measure it, it's only a feeling.

Maybe it's nothing and I'm just a coward, but a damaged engine is very expensive and so I would like to request your assistance.
Would you just continue, lock the flywheel, change the belt and see what happens when the crankshaft is rotated again after applying the final torque to the crankshaft bolt?

Best regards
FordBuddy

Welcome!
As no one else has replied... yet, I can only keep this at the top and give my 2.5 pence worth (but suggest you wait for a definitive answer)

I'm thinking the belt was on when you did this strange turning as I recall a creaky noise from that?
BUT, providing there's nothing funny about the alignment/adjustment of the VCT (is this Variable Camshaft Timing?) I'd ensure it hasn't moved and doesn't need re-aligning.
I'm imagining that there is an alignment of the VCT components then camshaft to crankshaft alignment?
I'd then revert back to checking the timing from scratch, ensuring that everything possible is done to confirm that it is done to the exact process detailed (presumably) in your manual?
Then turning it over to ensure that there's no interference: I have no idea about this engine but have experience of changing bent valves on Mk1 Mondeo diesel which was definitely that type where valves would hit pistons if mis-timed (cos they did!).

How does that sound , sorry if it's inappropriate and anyone please?

There's a return spring in the cam variator.  Sounds like you just put some tension into it and then it sprung back.

Thank you very much for your answers.

 

7 hours ago, Shearers said:

I'm thinking the belt was on when you did this strange turning as I recall a creaky noise from that?

Yes, the belt was tight when I tried to turn the crankshaft, and still is.

 

7 hours ago, Shearers said:

VCT (is this Variable Camshaft Timing?)

Yes, but I think I was a bit inaccurate calling it 'VCT'...as far as I know the 1.6 EcoBoost descends from the earlier 1.6 Ti-VCT (Twin independent Variable Cam Timing), so both camshafts (intake/exhaust) should have variable timing.

 

7 hours ago, Shearers said:

Then turning it over to ensure that there's no interference: I have no idea about this engine but have experience of changing bent valves on Mk1 Mondeo diesel which was definitely that type where valves would hit pistons if mis-timed (cos they did!).

As far as I know the EcoBoost 1.6 is an interference engine who is susceptible to such kind of damage. What do you think how much force is needed to cause damage on an engine when turning it over? I have no experience with that kind of damage, but I read that this should not happen when you are carefully turning it over and stop as soon as it seems to block. If this is true, I guess that I did not damage any valves or pistons yet.

 

7 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

There's a return spring in the cam variator.  Sounds like you just put some tension into it and then it sprung back.

That sounds like the timing could still be okay. The noise was more like bent fibers. To find out where the noise comes from, I would have to rotate the crankshaft at least one more time, but I haven't dared to do that with the old and possibly damaged timing belt. Is it possible to turn the engine around carefully and stop as soon as something seems to block it to prevent damage?

Yes, you can turn the engine by hand until it locks.  That is the process for checking timing after a timing belt change anyway.  You won't be able to put enough force through it to damage valves by hand.

There is a also a spring in the timing belt tensioner, so thinking about it again, you might just have moved the tensioner slightly if it was more of a belt sound.

Agree you won't damage the valve unless you had a very long lever and it would take a lot of force.
Hopefully a thorough timing check will be enough to confirm that all is OK?

 

On 6/16/2025 at 9:44 AM, TomsFocus said:

You won't be able to put enough force through it to damage valves by hand.

Perfect.

On 6/16/2025 at 9:44 AM, TomsFocus said:

There is a also a spring in the timing belt tensioner, so thinking about it again, you might just have moved the tensioner slightly if it was more of a belt sound.

I hadn't thought of the tensioner, but it sounds plausible.

15 hours ago, Shearers said:

Hopefully a thorough timing check will be enough to confirm that all is OK?

I will decide this when I turn the engine with the new belt. If the creaking noise is gone and I see no critical approach with an endoscope, it should be ok.
But that will have to wait a few more days, I have weekends off.

 

 

Thanks so much for your assistance, I'll let you know if it worked out.