Accessing the timing belt is no fun job, but it is possible without removing the engine. There are some good videos out there (and in the how to sticky in 2gen)

As far as removing the crankshaft pulley is concerned, I would advise NOT to put a screwdriver through the pulley spokes to prevent the pulley from turning. The plastic timing cover is right there and real easy to break. I used a piece of wood between the pulley and lower torque mount (directly under the pulley) after breaking my timing cover. I was able to epoxy it back together, but I will not try the pulley spoke method again.

Also, did you double check the spark gap?
Just sayin'....I made that mistake once.

 

Well, it might not be a bad idea to change the timing belt entirely. The faster the better. You don't want to damage your engine like a bad timing belt would.

 

plugs were gapped to .035 checked it again after i got it running again. I've done the timing belt on my 02 neon so his 03 would be the same deal, not a real hard job last time i did mine it took around four hours to do the job. I don't use anything to keep the crank from turning my snapon impact has enough to crack it loose without turning the crank.

 

Yeah I used an impact on the balancer when I did my timing belt.

You may have a dead miss somewhere too. I would try and do a powerbalance. Unplug each injector 1 at a time and see if it effects the idle quality, if it doesn't change when you unplug 1 injector then you have found culprit cylinder.

That is if you confirm timing I suppose.

 

Another possibility...

While traveling in Florida on a short vacation, We had a cylinder in our Escape sporadically quit firing and a very noticeable loss of power. After several exploratory examinations, I gave in and pulled the intake manifold to access the rear plugs.

The center rear spark plug (new at the beginning of the trip) was open.
There is no electrical connection from tip to anode, confirmed with a meter.

Maybe you have the same?

Joe

 

Pulled the fuel pump relay and had my buddy crank the engine while I held the plug against ground to make sure each one was firing. Cleaned and rebuilt the fuel injectors as well yesterday.still no change.

 

Thinkin its time to pull it apart and just replace the timing belt. He said he's the original owner and never replaced the belt. Can't think of anything else it could be.

 

Excellent decision.