Ford Escort Diesel

[94_turbo]

these engines wore out the rings at about 250,000---or less--had three diff ones---and none of them ever took out a head gskt--money says do a cheap rering job--and throw it back together--also---sometimes the valves got tight--and wouldnt close--there went the compression-----and dont go milling the head if its warped--it screws up the timing with the belt arrangement--

[Steelehc]

We're going to run a leak test, to try to see if it is the rings or valves or what.

If it's just something simple like that, then great, we're good to go. If not, I have a secret backup plan. I've found another engine for sale in a scrapyard. A full long-block, less than 100K miles, and, the best part, it's "guaranteed." I don't know what the guarantee consists of, but I do know it runs, so if this one is a wash, then all's not lost for this car.

Henry

[Jerry/MT]

Originally Posted by Steelehc

So... bad news.

We got the motor to turn over yesterday, but it sounded real bad. Really weak and slow, almost like it was only firing on one cylinder.

Turns out, it was only firing on one cylinder. No compression in two of them, only a little bit in the third.

Are there any things to look for at this point? Any other possible solutions?

Henry

If you have some compresion like 250 -200 psi, I'd say you had a problem with the rings. The compresion should be something like 400-500 psi. if you get like 50 psi, your valves are most likely burned or open.
Have you pulled the valve cover to see if the valve springs are intact and crank it so see if the valves are opening and closing?

[86GLHS]

I know a guy who has one who gets something like 50mpg.

[Kaliburz]

If it were I, I would prob. buy the other motor and have it...... but that's just me though.

[Aniecruz]

Injector malfunction is also a potential common cause for black smoke as is incorrect engine timing. For example in a two cylinder engine, if you have one bad injector, the system cannot develop the RPM to burn the fuel called for since the properly fueled injector is working against an essentially dead or less than efficient cylinder. A poor cylinder will put out black smoke if it is getting fuel because compression problems prevent complete combustion. The good cylinder will put out smoke because it is being supplied more fuel than it can effectively use. you may be advised to remove the injectors and have them checked at a competent shop.

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Aniecruz

http://www.hookup-tonite.com

[williamgeorge]

The Ford Escort 1.8 was ranked the highest in the J.D. Power and Associates 1997 Indian Customer Satisfaction Study. It was also voted the Best Quality Car in the J.D. Power India Initial Quality Study.
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williamgeorge

Car Auctions

[archer1960]

I had an 84 escort diesel for 10 years, and put over 130k miles on it before my wife let a full-serve gas station attendent put gasoline in it. It lasted for a while after that, but ended up with a cracked head. I HATED to let that car go; it was the best car I ever had, before or since. 55mpg on the highway when it had 120k on it (60 when just broken in), and 40+ commuting 12 miles back and forth to work. Never had a problem starting it even 10 below zero (fahrenheit), because of the high power glow plugs, and separate battery that supplied them.

LOVED that car, and would love to get another one if I could find one in decent condition. Anything you want to know about routine maintenance and stuff, let me know; I never had to do any internal engine work, or any major work on the chassis, just normal maintenance (struts, brakes, etc). Not even a clutch replacement.