Hi, I'm new here and I really opened this account to ask this question (I'm sure I'll have more).

I bought a 2002 Frod Escape XLS(2.0, 5-speed, 4WD) that needed a clutch. While doing the clutch I decided to do some general maintenance. Everything was still OE and it has 164k.

The first thing I wanted to do was put in a new PCV valve and I quickly learned that these engines are infamous for their PCV valve location (under intake man., screwed into block). I looked off and on for a couple days while doing other things and could never see it even after removing the transaxle. After a lot of searching I decided to see if they were put in the same spot on Ford(Mazda)'s other 2.0's and noticed that the Ford Escort ZX2 of the same year had it sitting right in the front(down by the slave cylinder). Low and behold that's exactly where my PCV valve is located, which is awesome because it's a lot easier to get to.

I considered that weird and wondered if my engine had been swapped at some point. I then noticed a leaking driver-side output shaft seal, alright pretty easy fix. The parts store gave me the wrong seal so I had to return it and get the right one. Well none of them looked even remotely similar to the original. I was like "try the same part, but for a ZX2 of the same year" and it was an exact match/perfect fit and doesnt leak.

So, is this normal? and is there a way to tell exactly which engine I have?

Every other part I've put on it has been for a 2002 Ford Escape 2.0. Clutch, rear main seal, front crank seal. Everything also looks stock and not messed with in anyway.

Sorry about the long first post btw.

PS-Are most of these 2.0s interference and is there a 2.0 with an aluminum valve cover so I can throw this plastic one away?

 

Google and see the listing in Wikipedia. It has a pretty good rundown of where/when the Zetec was used, and the different configurations. Wikipedia says the 2.0 was common to the escape and ZX2 in your model year.

tom