93 Escort...no start...again...
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Kansas City, KS
93 Escort...no start...again...
As some of you may recall, I bought my little Escort back after trading it in.
After a few months of tinkering, I was able to drive it some of the last two weekends.
Now it won't start again.
It turns over...it has spark...it has fuel.
Doesn't sound good tho...
Now what?
(93 Ford Escort 1.9L, 5spd...lots and lots of miles...)
After a few months of tinkering, I was able to drive it some of the last two weekends.
Now it won't start again.
It turns over...it has spark...it has fuel.
Doesn't sound good tho...
Now what?
(93 Ford Escort 1.9L, 5spd...lots and lots of miles...)
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Joined: Apr 2001
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If it has spark, fuel and lots of miles, I would think of timing belt issues or crank/cam position sensor problems. You may have fuel in the injector lines but perhaps the injector circuitry is faulty. Harbor Freight sells a set of 'noid' lights for injector testing for around $5.00.
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Mount Calvary, WI
I would check the timing belt. I had one break on me with only 35,000 miles. Make sure all the teeth are on belt . I had another one that a bunch of the teeth were stripped off and the belt skipped a couple teeth, throwing the timing off.
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Kansas City, KS
Thanks both...timing belt was my first thought too. While I cannot see the entire belt, I can see enough of it to know that it is functioning. (if I stand at the correct angle while someone else hits the key, I can see the timing belt turning the cam shaft gear...)
...and oh yeah...it started yesterday afternoon.
While I'm no longer depending on it, I'd like to get it reliable again...
...and oh yeah...it started yesterday afternoon.
While I'm no longer depending on it, I'd like to get it reliable again...
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 131
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From: Mount Calvary, WI
You have to physically take the belt off and inspect it(at least the guard). I had a belt that some of the teeth were stripped off. The belt still rotated the cam but the timing marks weren't lined up so it wouldn't start. If yours started again and runs good it should be fine.
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This series of 1.9L engines are prone to dropping their exhaust valve seats as they age. Very common problem, unfortunately. They can drop and then be disintegrated by the the piston into small pieces. The point of all this is, when a chunk of seat drops, it can cause momentary crank lock. The timing belt can jump several notches and cause all kinds of timing/starting issues. If your engine idles very roughly and you have noticeable power loss, you might consider this as a cause.
Getting the timing belt covers off is more of a chore than the manuals tell you, but it is the only way to know if your timing marks are aligned. If you are removing the covers, block the engine under the oil pain and remove the front (timing belt side) engine mount. Makes it a whole lot easier to get the covers on and off. Either Chilton or Haynes offers a clear explanation of how to check the alignment marks.
Getting the timing belt covers off is more of a chore than the manuals tell you, but it is the only way to know if your timing marks are aligned. If you are removing the covers, block the engine under the oil pain and remove the front (timing belt side) engine mount. Makes it a whole lot easier to get the covers on and off. Either Chilton or Haynes offers a clear explanation of how to check the alignment marks.
Last edited by aerocolorado; Feb 6, 2008 at 11:44 AM.
