Hello everyone;
Well here it goes. I have 03 escape check engine light indicated 6th cyl. not working/stuck or miss firing. Checked plugs and coils,then changed plugs just to make sure they are good to go. after putting cover back drove the vehicle 200 ft.it seem as it was losing power, step on gas petal then started to screech as if alternator belt was loose then it died, back to garage took of valve cover retraced everything and it checks out, all vacuum lines are connected orderly but now, it turns but won't start. I smell gasoline in engine compartment that burns your eyes as looking down the engine. If any one has any idea please. HELP
Thank you all in advance for your help

 

Did you get all plug wires in the correct spot? This is very easy to mess up.

 

While you had the cover off and were checking things out and maybe while you were reassembling things, you knocked something loose or cracked a fuel line or connection?Remove that cover again and WHILE WEARING SAFETY GOGGLES, have someone cycle the key a couple of times while you are looking around in the engine compartment. See anything? Good Luck.....

 

Thank you for quick responses. I actually unplugged each wire individually ( I didn't trust my memory for that LOL).Also with help of couple friends , we have taken cover off and reassembled it few times just to make sure we did not forget things or damage any lines etc.
I was told possibly cat converters could be clogged but am afraid to tackle it because 1- they are expensive.2- previous owner had one or two of exhaust pipes welded.
I can't do pressure check before and after cats either because now car doesn't run. UURRGH!

 

If you actually suspect a plugged exhaust, Just Drop The Exhaust, then see if it will start.

Don't do this at 7am on a Sunday Morning....

I actually would NOT do that first. Exhaust restriction is kinda unusual and takes quite a while to reach a level where the engine won't run. You would have experienced other symptoms first, like substantial power loss as the RPMs rise. I actually have experienced this phenomenon, TOUGH Diagnosis.

First, I think you need to find out where that strong fuel odor is coming from.

 

LOL.HAHA. There are few people I would love give them a wake up call but I think that is a different post.Thank you for your answer. Actually after we replaced plugs . we took it for a test drive 200ft from house we lost power. Going from 30 mph to almost nothing. We turned around and just barely made it back to garage, every time I stepped on gas pedal, it would screech as if my alternator belt was loose but all of the belts were fine, of course stepping on gas didn't make the car go anywhere. As I said we literally rolled downhill just to get enough momentum to glide in to garage. lol. I guess I have to drop exhaust to see if that helps. Thanks again.

 

Is it correct to say that the only wire disconnected was the COP wire for the #6 cylinder?
Or did you change all 6 spark plugs? It is not clear. If you did change all the spark plugs, did you remove the plastic upper intake manifold? If you removed the manifold, are you sure you got the O-ring type seals in place as you re-assembled? Could one have fallen out of place as you set the manifold on the engine?
Could the EGR connection be loose, allowing exhaust gas to flow under the hood, possibly explaining the exhaust smell?
The wires for the COP on the earlier models are EASILY swapped, resulting in a dead misfire in #4 & #6. That eats the front catalytic converter. Well, actually, can cause it to overheat and break up.
I do not see how you could do one wire at a time if you replaced all 6 spark plugs. But, stranger things have happened.
tom

added: A serpentine belt will screech for two or three reasons. If the tensioner is at its limit or the spring weakened by age, the belt can be too loose and thus slip. If the engine has erratic speed at the crankshaft, slowing and then quickly accelerating, the belt may slip as the crankshaft pulley moves too quickly(quicker than normal). If the belt surface has been compromised by some fluid dripping on the serrated surface, the belt can slip until the fluid evaporates or is absorbed by the belt, or spreads too thinly to have effect.
In addition, there is a fuel pressure sensor on the 'left' side of the engine atop the manfold. It sends the pressure reading to the computer so the computer can adjust the fuel pressure as desired. If it is disconnected or broken, it won't signal properly, and the computer may set the fuel pressure improperly. I would take a fuel pressure reading as it seems you lack proper pressure from the driving symptoms.
tom

 

Yeah, does sound like a plugged exhaust. The overheating and subsequent break down of catalytic converter that Tom mentioned, can result in the exhaust back pressure you may be experiencing.