i'm helping out a buddy working on his zx2. it's the 2.0 zetec engine, 1998.
We've checked everything we can think of. we're getting fuel, good spark, and no codes. no codes probably due to the battery dying when the accessory belt snapped.
this car has an maf. those of you with the maf do you have any idea what else we can check before we send this thing to the dealership?

one more thing, it turns over fine but does not fire at all. doesn't sound like it's even trying.

 

How long did he run with his belt snapped? Have you checked his oil and coolant levels?

 

all you need is A/F, spark, and compression to get one to run. make sure the spark is hot enough, use a spark checker, FP is right? use a gauge, make sure the injectors are firing, noid light, compressiosn use compression gauge. make sure the timing is right, match up the marks and check the compression stroke of number 1

 

oil and coolant levels are fine. they're not mixing either.
the car was run until the battery died due to the lack of a charge without the acc belt.
don't have an adapter for the schraeder valve on ford so couldn't check the pressure. but pushing in the nipple gives us a nice fountain of gas.
no spark checker 'cept our eyes. each plug is new with a bright azz spark. they're also firing in the correct order.
no noid light. all injectors ohmed out correctly and the drivers were working properly.
the compression ranged from 145 to 175 which falls within acceptable ranges for that car.
unfortunately there are no timing marks on that car. to time it special tools are required. i find that to be bs. anyhow, even if the timing was off we should still get pops now and then. we get absolutely nothing.
imagine you trying to start your car without connecting your coil wire connected.

gee, i wonder why i don't own a ford

 

Have you tried starting the car with some starting fluid? How hot did the car get?(I'm assuming no belt = no water pump on those cars, but I may be mistaken)

If you've got good spark(a hot white spark) and sufficient fuel(it won't start with starting fluid), then you have to be getting spark at the wrong time.

Anything coming out of the exhaust? smell fuel?(not from the fountain you made ) Did he do anything before or notice the car running differently?

 

Used starting fluid - not even a fizzle.
After pulling the valve cover and placing the crank at TDC it appears it may be about 90deg out of time. We're gonna mess with that and see what happens.

No. The car didn't run noticeably differently. It just finally decided to die on the side of the road when the batt gave out. Not sure on the water pump. I believe the timing belt runs that. The car is DOHC.

There are no smells coming from the exhaust.

 

Die on the side of the road + timing 90° out = stripped timing gear

Timing doesn't just "jump" 90° all by itself while driving down the road, and all you have to do is twiddle the distributor to get it back. DON'T mess with the distributor!!! Leave the timing alone!!!!! Just replace the timing set. When you put it back together, the timing will be right back where it was. Don't make extra work for yourself by messing with the timing, which you will then have to reset when you fix the actual problem.

You'll probably want to make sure you have a new timing cover on hand, just in case. If you don't already know what I'm talking about, you will when you take it off. Don't argue, just get one, they're about $15 for a chrome one at any chain parts store. Take it back if you don't need it. You won't be taking it back.

{edit} Ooooops I didn't notice it's not one of these cars... it needs a timing belt, not a timing set; and probably doesn't need the timing cover. Still, don't touch the distributor unless you just enjoy creating extra work for yourself. Go straight to the store and get a belt, and consider an idler and a water pump too while you have all that other stuff out of the way to change the belt.

 

guess i shoulda mentioned it was brought to billee bobs auto repair. billee bob messed with some stuff and couldn't get it running. we're thinking he loosened the wrong pulley i.e. tensioner pulley causing the belt to slip. billee bob even had 2 different length spark plugs in the car

this car has a coil pack and not a dist.
I'll mention the other parts to him when i see him tonight.

I hate working with timing belts. I've had 2 turbo talon's that I had to replace them on. easy job but ya gotta remove a lot of crap and it's time consuming.