My great niece purchased a used 2005 Escape in August to take back to college. Got up there and about a month later had a bad engine knock. Local shop told her it needed an engine. Knock seems to be #2 cylinder related (unplug either the coil or injector plug and it changes).

Has anyone had this issue and could it be the balance shaft assembly? The reason I ask. is in searching for any information, I found several eliminator kits. This makes me wonder if it is a common problem with these engines.

This is the base 2.3L, no variable cam timing.

 

Update, pulled the pan yesterday, the engine inside looks like what I used to see in the past, one that had been run on Quaker State oil and not changed. All 4 rods are loose enough you can move them on the crank a visible amount.

Any recommendations on a good remanufactured engine? I have prices on ATK (now owned by LKQ), Ford (any idea who does theirs) and APS (bad reviews on warranty). Jasper only wants you to go through their installers and and the owner wants me to do the work. Jasper is right around everyone else on price until you add in the install kit and warranty.