I have an used 2005 Escape. Recently in December I was driving it, parked it went into a store, came back out, and it wouldn't start at all. The oil light had had some issues recently but that was it. When I took it to my mechanic he took a month to tell me it was the timing chain that had broke, after paying for that and him having my escape for 33 days he calls and tells me I now have a bent valve. The dealership told me to replace the entire engine. I won't let the original mechanic work on it as I can't have it out of commission for a month or even longer again. When it quit it wasn't knocking, or rattling, or ticking at all. The only slight indication of any problem was when I accelerated on the highway it would make a louder noise but no warning lights or other indications. I'm not sure what to ask a new mechanic or what to look for after feeling like I can't trust anyone to be honest with me. Someone else told me that just because the valve bent does not mean I need an entire new engine. The car has 65k on it. I'd love some advice so that I don't feel like I'm being treated like Im stupid and know what to ask and expect so I'm not getting ripped off. Please help!

 

I have a 2006 3.0 4x4.do the escape have timming problems,because this is the first i have heard of a timming problem on the escape.

 

First I've heard of this and I had one from 2001 and been on Escape forums since then.

 

I hope not because i have a 2001 ranger 4x4 4.0 and the back timming chain went out and it was hell from then but i finally got it all worked out and the truck runs great again.kevin

 

Mechanic probably put on the new chain, and couldn't get it to start, did a compresion check, and figured out why it wouldn't start..What engine is this?? Does anybody know if its an interference engine?? Obviously, it must be if a valve got bent??

 

If you remove the oil cap and look down inside the engine, you can actually see the timing chain. If you have an interference engine, a piston could have bent a valve, even when just turning over on the starter. This can often damage a piston and cylinder wall right along with bending the valve. Again, I have no idea if the Escape has an interference engine or not. (I should look into it as I have a 2005 Escape) An interference engine is one when there is no room for an open valve when the piston is all the way to the top of its stroke. In normal operation, both valves are always closed at that time. A broken chain can upset this timing and cause this condition. The rising piston can then hit an open valve even when just being turned over on the starter. This was a real PITA with the older timing belt engines. If you have valve, piston and cylinder wall damage, I may be in agreement with the dealer but I wouldn't jump to that conclusion just yet. I would say that you should have a competent mechanic take a look see. An illuminated fiber optic type scope, very similar to what Doctors use on us, can be used to inspect the cylinders via the spark plug hole. It is my opinion that this procedure would be well worth the cost as then you would know what you are up against. Good luck and keep us posted.