Belt Tensioner located on 2000 ford Escort zx2

Do you want to retract the tensioner to change the serp. belt or replace it. Most tens. have a large spring and on the arm where the pulley is some have a 3/8" or 1/2" socket pocket for a tool to fit in, others use the bolt head on the pulley, where others just want you to guess. Most of the chain parts houses loan/rent the tool kit to do this.

hi Paul.
see if this link helps to find out why.
1998 ford escort zx2 serpentine belt keeps slipping off Google Search

Locate the serpentine belt tensioner on the front of the engine. The belt tensioner on the 2001 Ford Escort is located directly under the power steering pump and above the air conditioner pump. The belt tensioner has a 17 mm bolt head in the center of the pulley.

the belt tensioner should maintain the tension if not it needs replacement.if it's slipping you may have a locked pulley.

Click on the following free direct Link. It has the correct Serpentine/Drive Belt Diagrams for your 1998 Ford Escort ZX2, 2.0L DOHC In-Line 4-Cylinder Engine.
The Link says 2000 for the Year, however this is the same as the 1998 Year Model.

http://www.2carpros.com/car_repair_information/year/2000/make/ford/model/zx2/2000_ford_zx2_drive_belt_routing_diagram.htm

"HOW TO":
Standard Rules to Removal the Serpentine Belt with an Automatic Tensioner:
1. Find the Tensioner(s). (See Diagrams on Link)
2. Using a Serpentine Belt Tensioner Tool, Or Wrench OR Ratchet, Rotate/Move the Tensioner USING THE AVAILABLE NUT (on the Pulley or Arm Base) OR the OPENING (3/8ths or 1/2 inch square opening) rotating the Tensioner Pulley/Arm - moving it away from contact with the belt and towards the area where the belt is not in contact with the Tensioner Pulley. The Tensioner is spring loaded, and is hard to rotate/move.
3. Remove the loosened belt off one of the other more easily accessed Pulleys.
4. DO NOT quickly release the Tensioner, but gently allow the Tensioner to rest in its closed position.

Standard Rules for Installing the Serpentine Belt with an Automatic Tensioner:
a. Pick a Pulley that is most easily accessed. This will usually be on top. This will be the last Pulley that the belt will go on.
b. Using the Diagram: Install the new Serpentine Belt on the remainder of the Pulleys....over, under, left right.
c. Using a Serpentine Belt Tensioner Tool or Wrench or Ratchet Tool: Rotate/Move the Tensioner Pulley/Arm "away" from Belt contact area on the Tensioner. This spring is pretty hard and with a new belt, it will be even harder to install. Rotate/Move this to as-close to the maximum allowed inorder to have enough slack in the belt to get it up and over the last pulley.
d. Using your other hand - Pull the Belt up and over the Last remaining Pulley.
e. Before releasing the pressure on the Tensioner, visually inspect the remainder Pulleys and the Belts' Positioning on them.
Let me know if this helped, or if you have additional information questions. Feel Free to contact me at FixYa.com!

The tensioner is between the a/c compressor and crank pulley, below the power steering pump. Use a 13 mm wrench to 'tighten' the bolt in the center of the pulley and it'll move to release tension off the belt.

CLICK HERE
for diagrams based on your installed accessories.

Thanks for using FixYa - a 4 THUMBS rating is appreciated for answering your FREE question.

　
　
Timing Belt
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
1.8L Engine
Disconnect the negative battery cable.
Remove the timing belt covers.
Rotate the crankshaft and align the timing marks located on the camshaft pulleys and the seal plate.
Remove the crankshaft pulley and hub.
If the timing belt is to be reused, mark an arrow on the belt to indicate its rotational direction to enable correct re-installation.
Loosen the timing belt tensioner lockbolt and remove the timing belt.
To install:
Temporarily secure the timing belt tensioner in the far left position with the spring fully extended, then tighten the lockbolt.
Make sure the timing marks on the timing belt pulley (crankshaft sprocket) and the engine block (oil pump housing) are aligned.
Make sure the timing marks on the camshaft pulleys and the seal plate are aligned.
Install the timing belt.
Loosen the tensioner lockbolt. Using a suitable prying tool, position the timing belt tensioner so the timing belt is taut, then tighten the tensioner lockbolt.
Turn the crankshaft two turns clockwise and align the timing belt pulley mark with the mark on the engine block.
Fig. 1: Timing marks are located on the camshaft pulleys as shown — 1.8L engines


　
Fig. 2: Make sure that the crankshaft sprocket (timing belt pulley) and oil pump timing marks are aligned — 1.8L engines


　
Fig. 3: Align the timing belt pulley mark with the tension set mark, at approximately the 10 o'clock position — 1.8L engines


　
Fig. 4: Check the timing belt deflection at the location shown — 1.8L engines

1. Rotate the drive belt tensioner in a clockwise motion, and install the drive belt under the belt idler pulley.

2.0L Engines
See Figures 11, 12 and 13
The accessory drive belt for 2.0L engines has no provision for manual belt adjustment, since these engines use an automatic belt tensioner. Drive belt slack is taken up by the automatic tensioner.
Movement of the automatic tensioner assembly during engine operation is not a sign of a malfunctioning tensioner. This movement is the tensioner self-adjusting and is required to maintain constant belt tension.
The belt tensioner has a belt length indicator. If the indicator marks are not between the MIN and MAX marks, the belt must be replaced.
Fig. 11: Drive belt routing-2.0L SOHC engine with A/C Fig. 12: Drive belt routing-2.0L SOHC engine without A/C Fig. 13: Drive belt routing-2.0L DOHC engine