Ford Escort -- What kinds of problems have you had?
GBlessing
heads) and timing belts. Have the timing belt and water pump replaced at
60K miles and take good care of the cooling system. Also if equipped with
A\C have spring lock clamps installed on all spring lock couplers on the
A|C system. Other than the above problems they aren't really bad cars.
Jordan Blessing
ASE Master Technician
Steven D Brener
Hi,
I'm thinking about buying a very low mileage 1990 Ford Escort. I've heard
that Escorts are not really maintenance free like Hondas or Toyotas. I
heard something about (heating) coils and alternators going bad on them
often. Do those of you out there with Escorts of that vintage find that
your car has had its share of problems, or would you gladly recommend it
to an immediate family member? Appreciate all input.
Steve
STANGL T
at 50K, and I blew the head at 60K. NOTE I said I BLEW, not THE CLUTCH
BLEW, or THE HEAD BLEW. I drive my car EXTREMELY hard, and it was my
driving habits that caused the probs, not any defects.
I now have 103K miles on mine, with nothing more than oil changes, coolant
changes, and the occasional alignment and tires.
Copy reply to sta...@aol.com, I don't get in here much <G>.
Will_Mast
>From: gble...@aol.com (GBlessing)
>Subject: Re: Ford Escort -- What kinds of problems have you had?
>Date: 19 Feb 1995 17:53:48 -0500
I think you are refering to the Escorts of the early '80s with the 1.6L engines
Jenny Farnham
new off the lot. It is the best car I have ever owned. I have
had (Nissa Extended Cab, Toyota Extended Cab Truck, Buick Century
Limited (junk)).
I have never had to replace the clutch or anything in the engine.
It has over 130K miles on it. The only repair/maintenance I did to
it was take it to Meineke and have them put in new brake pads and
a new muffler (all that salt in Virginia from what little snow!).
I did this because I drove it across country here to Colorado.
It did great.
I bought the car when I was in college (yes, all by myself from
savings!) , and I took out school loans for school which I'm still
paying on and I'm 30 years old. Now that I have a fairly decent job
and could afford a "better" car, I would not hesitate to buy
another Ford Escort. Oh, and my parents still have thier 1984
Ford Escort Station Wagon. Runs great.
Sometimes the most "simplest" cars with no "extras" can be quite
maintenance free.
Jennifer Farnham
StorageTek
Boulder, Colorado
Alexander S. Kosiorek
In a previous article, cti...@alcor.concordia.ca (Cameron Tilson) says:
>In article <3i88oq$l...@usenet.srv.cis.pitt.edu>, sdb...@pitt.edu (Steven D
>--
>Hi Steve,
>
>You may be better off looking for a 91 or 92 Escort. The car was totally
>re-designed in 1991 based on the Mazda Protege platform. The pre 91's are
>known for a multitude of problems (as confirmed by any Consumer Guide used
>car publication). I have a 92 LX wagon and am totally satisfied with car.
I would totally agree with the above. The pre 91 Escorts in my
area are known for many problems. However, those who have the redisgned
ones have been pleasantly satisified. I have a '93 Mercury Tracer LTS
(which is basically a 4-door Escort GT). The only things I could say that
gave me a problem is that the door speakers went bad and had to be replaced
and that I had to change the spark plugs wince one started to arch (just a
bad plug - not that usual). Anyway - mine is running great and I get many
good comments about the car since I take care of it best I can. If you
want performance for a good dollar - the GT or LTS are worth (and they stop
on a dime).
--
-Alex S. Kosiorek - as...@po.cwru.edu --- audio engineer/operator - LXAudio
-Contracted for Field Recording, Digital Editing, Audio Post, etc.
"Night I left the city, I dreamt of a wolf..." Lauren Savoy.
"When dark crystal is over you, let song prevail & let your soul fly over it"
Richard Herbert Irmen
replace the alternator on it about 6 months ago at around
55,000 miles now the same trouble is back as before. That is
the battery light has come on. This is what happened before.
Alright before anybody jumps down my throat, I haven't checked
yet this time to see if this is actually the problem, and it
was a remanufacutured, could be the problem. Any Hints? Also
the front headlights are prone to condensation building up
inside, seals failing, I've seen this on a few cars, you can
dry these out fairly easily. Just little things mostly go
wrong on it though, that really are just annoying as hell. I
have a 92 Toyota Paseo 60,000 miles, no problems.
Good Luck
Rick Irmen
UVA, Nuclear Engineering
James Gieringer
When she bought the car the idle was set pretty high. I turned it down to
a reasonable rev, and the idle seems to fluctuate. I'm not sure exactly
what it's running at because.....problem #2.......the tach doesn't operate!
The fuse is ok and the harness is plugged in to the instrument cluster.
Any ideas on the above???
Also, when you listen to the car at idle, it sounds like there's a vaccuum
cleaner under the rear axle. I haven't crawled under yet, but is that where
the fuel pump is for the fuel injection? Could that also screw up the idle?
Any help on the Tach/Noise/Idle problems greatly appreciated.
Other minor stuff....
The dome light setup is really bad. Both switches are intermittent and you
can never predict which light will go on or off when you press either button.
The drivers side seatbelt sticks in the fully pulled-out position.
And some more fairly major stuff....
The air conditioner doesn't work & supposedly needs a new microchip. Oh
yeah, the pulley is frozen so we need one of those too.
There's a clunk somewhere under the gearshift and floorboard - haven't been
under yet to see what it is.
BTW, taking out the instrument cluster was a pain. They used hex-head bolts
to hold everything down. Sure looks cool, but without a good set of drivers
handy was a pain in the butt. Maybe they put these in only the EXP's and
phillips head screws in regular Escorts.
Thanks,
Jim
------------------
please reply to
j...@mail.boi.hp.com
Jeff Palmer
as...@po.CWRU.Edu (Alexander S. Kosiorek) writes:
> >Hi Steve,
> >
> >You may be better off looking for a 91 or 92 Escort. The car was totally
> >re-designed in 1991 based on the Mazda Protege platform. The pre 91's are
> >known for a multitude of problems (as confirmed by any Consumer Guide used
> >car publication). I have a 92 LX wagon and am totally satisfied with car.
While it's true the Escort is based off of a Mazda product, it is not
the Protoge. From my understanding, it was based on the previous
generation 323 (before the Protoge came out that replaced that 323). I
remember this, because I read it and was somewhat surprised at the
time. All of the Escorts except the GT and the Tracer LTS use Ford
motors. The excepted models use a Mazda 1.8 liter 16v DOHC producing
127hp, correct?
Jeff
Greg, Friendly Neighborhood Poet
>My daughter has a 87 EXP with the 1.9L Fuel Injection and AC.
I've got an '89 GT with the 1.9 EFI engine, 5-speed, and AC.
>The dome light setup is really bad. Both switches are intermittent and you
>can never predict which light will go on or off when you press either button.
Hmmm... My GT has a roof-mounted console. I haven't had a problem
with the lights...
One of my rear seatbelts sticks in the fully-out position, because
it's twisted through the guide. I'll have to take care of that
sometime.
>And some more fairly major stuff.... >
>The air conditioner doesn't work & supposedly needs a new microchip. Oh
>yeah, the pulley is frozen so we need one of those too.
My AC doesn't work either. Haven't bothered to get it looked at yet.
My GT also has the annoying hex screws in the console. It makes it
tough to get at the parking brake to adjust it.
I've also had to replace an air intake hose (from an air meter to the
throttle body), which I guess the previous owner had to do.
Don't get an escort with the 1.6, though. I haven't heard of many
good experiences with them. The 1.9 (especially with EFI) is a pretty
good engine. In fact, I think that's the engine they put in the new ones
(except for GTs).
The previous owner replaced the starter and the clutch, and it's gone
through one ball joint at each position. You may want to buy the ball
joint yourself, but it's a major pain to install.
Other than that, we haven't had any major problems.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
gr...@wpi.wpi.edu "Frozen in that fatal climb,
Gregory M. Charland But the wheels of time
Worcester Polytechnic Institute Just pass you by..."
100 Institute Road -Rush, "Between the Wheels" (1984)
Worcester, MA 01609
(508) 630-4290 "No computer stands in my way!" -ELP (1974)
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
n
Peter Sheriff
Pete
MMLC Computer Lab
AMF...@news.salford.ac.uk
I have a proper Escort (1978 mk11) and the only problems since new have been
sheared engine mounts and worn out layshaft in the gear box. So if they still
build them how they used to you should have no worries .
Stephen Rigler
: I bought a 1985 - 4 door Ford Escort in Fairfax, Virginia brand
I have a suggestion for you, Jennifer. If you have lots of cash why not
try importing an Escort Cosworth from Europe? They are a very very fast
car and they break down just a little bit less than other Fords (which is
usually once a week) and you can't drive it as often because a Cosworth
is a fully loaded race car and runs 12's after hopping off a cliff (which
is faster than a Mustang could do off a cliff). If you have any
technical questions about the Cosworth please email. I have lots of tips
for you. Do you know RObert? He owes me $5.
kweise@voltage
>From: stev...@big12.metrobbs.com (Stephen Rigler)
>Subject: Re: Ford Escort -- What kinds of problems have you had?
>Jenny Farnham (far...@spot.Colorado.EDU) wrote:
>: I bought a 1985 - 4 door Ford Escort in Fairfax, Virginia brand
>I have a suggestion for you, Jennifer. If you have lots of cash why not
>try importing an Escort Cosworth from Europe? They are a very very fast
>car and they break down just a little bit less than other Fords (which is
>usually once a week) and you can't drive it as often because a Cosworth
>is a fully loaded race car and runs 12's after hopping off a cliff (which
>is faster than a Mustang could do off a cliff). If you have any
>technical questions about the Cosworth please email. I have lots of tips
>for you. Do you know RObert? He owes me $5.
I have had experience with 2 '87 models (my wife's and my brother's). Both
were sold with over 150K miles. Neither had major repairs done. The only
non-routine maitenance was replacing the inner tie rods at around 120K miles.
Of course, all routine maitenance (oil changes every 3K, timing belts every
60K, etc.) was done religiously. Never had any real problems. I have heard of
some problems with fuel pumps, but have not experienced them.
****************************************
* Ken Weise, VE160 Chassis Engineering *
* (313) 31-77228 *
* At, but not for, Ford Motor Company *
* **************************************
CKB
>From: kweise@voltage
>Subject: Re: Ford Escort -- What kinds of problems have you had?
>In article <3t1dc6$c...@metroux.metrobbs.com> stev...@big12.metrobbs.com (Stephen Rigler) writes:
>>From: stev...@big12.metrobbs.com (Stephen Rigler)
>>Subject: Re: Ford Escort -- What kinds of problems have you had?
>>Date: 30 Jun 1995 12:47:50 -0500
The 1.8L engine in the Escort LX is overall the highest quality Ford engine
makes in North America (I just don't know about Europe). This is measured by
both waranty data and Things Gone Wrong (TGWs) over a three year period.
It's not an expecially complex engine like a DOHC V8, so we are able to keep
the manufacturing tolerances very close. The Dearborn Engine Plant was the
first North American plant to win the internal "Total Quality Excellence"
award for a statistically superior quality record and repeatable and reliable
manufacturing processes. I'd recommend the Escort engine wholeheartedly.
Kent Booker
Manufacturing Systems
Ford Motor Co
David J Heisterberg
CKB <USFM...@IBMMAIL.COM> wrote:
>The 1.8L engine in the Escort LX is overall the highest quality Ford engine
>makes in North America (I just don't know about Europe). This is measured by
Uh oh, Kent, you're gonna get jumped on here, but don't take it
personally! The 1.8L engine is in the Escort GT and Tracer LTS
(and formerly Escort LXE). And it's a Mazda -- same engine as
in the Miata. The regular Escort / Tracer engine is the 1.9L.
And both of them are really pretty good. But frankly, if the
Neon had been out 3 years ago, when I bought my Escort GT, I'd
be driving that. Tell the folks upstairs, "more power, more power!"
--
David J. Heisterberg Ich grolle nichte, und
Dept. of Chemistry OSU / wenn das Herz auch bricht.
The Ohio Supercomputer Center -- Heine
George B
USFM...@IBMMAIL.COM (CKB) wrote:
>In article <kweise.43.00075386@voltage> kweise@voltage writes:
>>From: kweise@voltage
>>Subject: Re: Ford Escort -- What kinds of problems have you had?
>>Date: Mon, 3 Jul 1995 07:19:36
>
>>In article <3t1dc6$c...@metroux.metrobbs.com> stev...@big12.metrobbs.com
(Stephen Rigler) writes:
>>>From: stev...@big12.metrobbs.com (Stephen Rigler)
>>>Subject: Re: Ford Escort -- What kinds of problems have you had?
>>>Date: 30 Jun 1995 12:47:50 -0500
>
>
>makes in North America (I just don't know about Europe).
Hee hee, ho, ho, ha, ha, snicker, snicker, (I have to get in more added text
than included or my newsreader won't send it) That was a VERY political
statement, Mr. Rigler ...or is that Wrigler, hee, hee. I suppose it is high
quality......for Ford. Ford BLOCKS are usually of VERY high quality...their
CONTROL systems and layout suck, BUT I must give credit where it is due...Ford
IS improving in this respect and the EEC V is a vast improvement over EEC IV.
I have a suggestion for the engineering staff at Ford. Build a one-off
prototype of the vehicle and then have the engineers remove and replace
maintanance items that could be expected to fail within 100K miles...such as
VALVE COVER GASKETS, PCV VALVES, Air conditioning O-rings and the like.
Any why do Escorts eat throttle shaft tangs that control the TPS? I have NEVER
gotten a straight answer for THAT problem! Luckily I have a local machinist
that will rebuilt those throttle shafts for me at a reasonable cost...MUCH
cheaper than a new throttle body! Those of us out here in the boonies will
find a way to make it work, or we buy something else!
George Bonser
gr...@cris.com
Zig28
> >From: kweise@voltage
> >Subject: Re: Ford Escort -- What kinds of problems have you had?
> >Date: Mon, 3 Jul 1995 07:19:36
I own a 1993 Escort LX 4 door with the 1.9L engine. It runs good, never
had a problem. I bought it in Feb. 1993, it has 30k miles. However, the
suspension is pretty "mushy" and the engine vibrates quite a bit at idle
and is rather rough sounding. But considering I paid $8998 brand new,
including air, AM FM, power steering, etc., and all the other 4 door LX
amenities, like lighted visor mirrors, lighted ignition switch, lights in
the trunk and under the hood, 14" tires, etc., I think it's a great deal
compared to Corolla, Sentra, etc. You can still buy a new 4 Door LX with
air AND driver's and passenger airbags here (D.C. area) for around $9500.
Rick.
Rick Korchak, aka Zig28
Sunrise Seminar Surfing Association
rkor...@tecnet.me.tufts.edu
David J Heisterberg
Ian R. Campbell <i...@penrij.kd3bj.ampr.org> wrote:
>Well maybe Kent was talking about the first generation Escort/Lynx which had
>an optional 1.8 8 valve engine.
You'll have to refresh my memory. The only gasoline engines I know of
on early Escorts were the 1.3, 1.6, turbo 1.6, and 1.9. That's in the
US. Europe and Canada may have had something different.
Ian R. Campbell
>In article <USFMC6DB.2...@IBMMAIL.COM>,
>CKB <USFM...@IBMMAIL.COM> wrote:
>>The 1.8L engine in the Escort LX is overall the highest quality Ford engine
>>makes in North America (I just don't know about Europe). This is measured by
>Uh oh, Kent, you're gonna get jumped on here, but don't take it
>personally! The 1.8L engine is in the Escort GT and Tracer LTS
>(and formerly Escort LXE). And it's a Mazda -- same engine as
>in the Miata. The regular Escort / Tracer engine is the 1.9L.
>And both of them are really pretty good. But frankly, if the
>Neon had been out 3 years ago, when I bought my Escort GT, I'd
>be driving that. Tell the folks upstairs, "more power, more power!"
Well maybe Kent was talking about the first generation Escort/Lynx which had
an optional 1.8 8 valve engine.
--
Ian R. Campbell i...@penrij.UUCP
Max Kelson
I bought a 1993 Mercury Tracer, with a 1.8L engine in it, for $9999.00 brand new
and use it for commuting. It presently has 75,000 miles on it.
I drive it pretty hard, at speeds up to 80 mph, and use the passing gear
(automatic trans) a lot. It's a peppy little car and seems to have more power
than a 1995 Camry 4 cyl that my wife test drove recently (the $24,000 Camry V6
has my little Tracer completely outclassed, though).
I've never noticed where the oil is on the dip stick right after an oil change,
but it's always right on the full mark just before an oil change--I've never put
an ounce of oil in it between changes (4 - 6000 miles).
My little Tracer has been a great little car so far. It has sort of a big car
feel and quality ride. I got about 50,000 miles out of the first set of
tires with tread still on them when I bought new ones.
The only significant problem that I have had is a bad heater core that developed
a leak about two years and 60,000 miles after I bought it. The dealer charged
$600+ to replace it, claiming that he had to take the entire dashboard off.
Fortunately, my EXTENDED warranty paid the bill. I'd recommend anyone buying a
Tracer check out the heater core. (You can look under the driver's floor mat for
green stuff).
My Tracer's heat guage has the aggravating habit of pointing near the edge of the
operating range in the summer with the air conditioning on, but the manual says
this is normal and it doesn't seem to be causing any problems.
Max Kelson
(my opinions are my own)
Stephen H. Westin
Wrong. The CVH has only been delivered in the U.S. in the capacities
1.6 (until spring '85) and 1.9 (since then). A 1.3 was originally
planned, but scrapped when its inferior performance wasn't offset by
better fuel economy. All 1.8 CVH's were exported to Europe to be
installed in Sierras, because British tax regulations of the time made
a 1.8 more desirable than a 2.0.
I'm sure that Kent's error is a typo; the Dearborn engine plant makes
the 1.9 CVH engine, as it made the 1.6 and 1.8.
--
-Stephen H. Westin
swe...@dsg145.nad.ford.com
The information and opinions in this message are mine, not Ford's.
Joe Naiman
>In article <USFMC6DB.2...@IBMMAIL.COM>,
>CKB <USFM...@IBMMAIL.COM> wrote:
>>The 1.8L engine in the Escort LX is overall the highest quality Ford engine
>>makes in North America (I just don't know about Europe). This is measured by
>Uh oh, Kent, you're gonna get jumped on here, but don't take it
>personally! The 1.8L engine is in the Escort GT and Tracer LTS
>(and formerly Escort LXE). And it's a Mazda -- same engine as
>in the Miata.
Its Fords best engine because their not building it :)
SMardon
46,000 miles on it and the only major problems I have had was with the
power windows which were fixed under warranty.
George B
valve down behind the intake manifold that causes the air cleaner to fill up
with oil. 2)on CFI engines the tab on the throttle shaft that controls the TPS
corrodes away giving poor performance and causes TPsensors to be replaced
needlessly and 3) Cylinder head cracks at the exhaust valve seats.
These problems usually show up on vehicles 5+ years old. Escorts are fairly
trouble free for the first 5 or 6 years.
George Bonser
gr...@cris.com
Kathy Alsip
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
We are on our second Escort. Our first one - an '88 - finally "died" at
147,000 miles. We were so pleased with its performance that we bought a
new one in '91. It runs beautifully - mostly highway miles - and has
115,000 miles on it "as we speak". We've had no problems with either of
them. They were both 5 speeds. We are definite "Escort Believers".
George B
k-a...@cs.uiuc.edu (Kathy Alsip) wrote:
>We are on our second Escort. Our first one - an '88 - finally "died" at
>147,000 miles. We were so pleased with its performance that we bought a
>new one in '91. It runs beautifully - mostly highway miles - and has
>115,000 miles on it "as we speak". We've had no problems with either of
>them. They were both 5 speeds. We are definite "Escort Believers".
Wait a sec....your 88 died...(assuming it was last year....that is 6 years)
and you only got 147K and you are PLEASED with it?!?!?!? You just got it paid
for and it died and you are HAPPY that it lasted that long? WOW....I guess
Barnum was right. No reason it couldn't have lasted 10 years or 250K miles but
you would have spent more in upkeep and repairs...oil changes and the like.
If someone around here had a car that died that quickly they would be hopping
mad.
George Bonser
gr...@cris.com
Tak Auyeung
the Corolla or Civic, and craftmanship is a little inferior. However,
it does have great gas mileage. I get 40mpg consistently on highway.
So far (32k miles in 18 months), the car has given me no troubles at
all.
I have the 3dr 5sp with A/C.
--Tak
gcl
: 147,000 miles.
What did it 'die' of? My '88 escort has 105,000 on it, and I just
replaced the alternator...... The black paint looks so 'mint' that people
think I just had it repainted (I bought it new with 9 miles on it).
I better get another 100,000 out of it...
I just completed a 4400 mile vacation in it, with no a/c too! hehehee
Gary
--
__________________________________________________________________
g...@sojourn.com no NeXTmail yet please
__________________________________________________________________
Kathy Alsip
> In article <k-alsip-1807...@kathy.cs.uiuc.edu>,
> k-a...@cs.uiuc.edu (Kathy Alsip) wrote:
>
> >We are on our second Escort. Our first one - an '88 - finally "died" at
> >147,000 miles. We were so pleased with its performance that we bought a
> >new one in '91. It runs beautifully - mostly highway miles - and has
> >115,000 miles on it "as we speak". We've had no problems with either of
> >them. They were both 5 speeds. We are definite "Escort Believers".
>
> Wait a sec....your 88 died...(assuming it was last year....that is 6 years)
> and you only got 147K and you are PLEASED with it?!?!?!? You just got it paid
> for and it died and you are HAPPY that it lasted that long? WOW....I guess
> Barnum was right. No reason it couldn't have lasted 10 years or 250K
miles but
> you would have spent more in upkeep and repairs...oil changes and the like.
>
> If someone around here had a car that died that quickly they would be hopping
> mad.
>
> George Bonser
> gr...@cris.com
S-O-R-R-Y - - Perhaps saying "died" was incorrect - don't jump down my
throat. We had just replaced the clutch, new brakes all around, and it
needed a new radiator, so we decided to let the next owner take care of
that. It needed some body work, too (hit a couple of times). The buyer
(fixing up cars is his hobby) was, frankly, happy to get it (still
running). Again - we like our Escorts. (Can't remember the last time I
heard some one being "hopping mad".)
Kathy Alsip
> : We are on our second Escort. Our first one - an '88 - finally "died" at
> : 147,000 miles.
>
> What did it 'die' of? My '88 escort has 105,000 on it, and I just
> replaced the alternator...... The black paint looks so 'mint' that people
> think I just had it repainted (I bought it new with 9 miles on it).
> I better get another 100,000 out of it...
> I just completed a 4400 mile vacation in it, with no a/c too! hehehee
>
> Gary
>
>
> --
> __________________________________________________________________
>
> g...@sojourn.com no NeXTmail yet please
> __________________________________________________________________
** Should not have said "died" - We had just replaced the clutch, brakes
all around, and it had been hit a few times, so needed some body work. We
sold it to an individual who fixes up cars as his hobby. It's still
running ...
Robert O. Brunson
>
>I bought mine about 18 months ago. It's a little more noisy compared with
>the Corolla or Civic, and craftmanship is a little inferior. However,
>it does have great gas mileage. I get 40mpg consistently on highway.
>So far (32k miles in 18 months), the car has given me no troubles at
>all.
What engine do you have? Mine is a S/W with the Ford 1.9L and the
mileage is pretty bad, about 31 hwy and 20 around town. Also, that
engine is weak as hell. I assume you have the 1.8 Mazda-made engine.
MUCH superior, as are most Japanese-made components. I also have an 88
Tracer with the Mazda engine and it will run rings around the 1.9.
David M. Gabrius
Robert O. Brunson <rbru...@awod.com> wrote:
>
>What engine do you have? Mine is a S/W with the Ford 1.9L and the
>mileage is pretty bad, about 31 hwy and 20 around town. Also, that
>engine is weak as hell. I assume you have the 1.8 Mazda-made engine.
>MUCH superior, as are most Japanese-made components. I also have an 88
>Tracer with the Mazda engine and it will run rings around the 1.9.
Your're not going to get close to 40mpg hwy with the '91+ 1.8L engine;
but I've seen several cars with the 1.9L Ford get these mileage numbers.
Or are you referring to pre-91 cars?
--
David Gabrius -- Motorola Cellular \\ gab...@cig.mot.com \\ 708-632-5944
Software Engineer \\"You miss too much these days if you stop to think" -U2
"And you can find/Your own way out/You can build/And I can will..." -U2
"Some days take less but most days take more" \\ #include<stddisclaimer.h>
George B
You said died so I figured it died. Sorry.
George Bonser
gr...@cris.com
George B
rbru...@awod.com (Robert O. Brunson) wrote:
> Mine is a S/W with the Ford 1.9L and the
>mileage is pretty bad, about 31 hwy and 20 around town. Also, that
>engine is weak as hell.
Has the timing belt been changed in that vehicle? It sounds as if the cam is a
tooth retarded. A common error in timing belt replacement. Advance the thing a
tooth from the mark and customers say "it has NEVER RUN THIS WELL". Maybe the
other guy's belt was changed by a mechanic that knew this.
George Bonser
gr...@cris.com
John Zehrbach
heater core at 66k (45 minute job and no dash removal unlike some hondas and other imports) also replaced the water pump at 88k ,
an electronic module at 104k ( for $33), and I just replaced the muffler. Still fires up every morning and gets great mileage.
I also had an 84 Honda Accord 5 spd manual for 154k miles, but I replaced the clutch 3 times, air conditioner, master cyclinder twice,
blower fan, carb rebuilt twice, water pump, overhead cam belt broke at 88k (dealer claimed originally not to change till 100k miles!)
for which I paid, rear brake cylinders, front rotors replaced twice, two mufflers, two speedometer cables, and six or seven headlights.
Both cars were driven in essentially the same terrain and envrionment. The Honda was used for vacations and long trips so it had a
higher percentage of highway miles to in-town miles and more total miles than the Lynx.
Both were well maintained, frequent oil and filter changes using quality parts and lube, air filters, tune ups, belts and hoses replaced
before failure.
For reference
Typical replacement PART costs (somewhat dated):
Lynx Honda
Master cylinder $ 38* $167
Blower motor $ 24* $298
Struts $ 29 $ 63
A/C Compressor $198* $418
Clutch Assembly $113* $347
Oil Filter $ 5 $ 13
Air Filter $ 5 $ 17
Needless to say I do not think I will be purchasing a foreign car any time soon. I replaced the Honda last year when the transmission
went (along with the 12k old clutch put in by a Honda dealer) with an '84 Olds Omega. Rides better then the Honda ever did and more
room too. Replaced struts, tires, battery, and starter motor (but knew this needed to be done and the price of the car reflected the
work required), tuned it and it's been a good car for the last 15k miles. Goods parts readily available and inexpensive too.
Note:*never replaced just for info
JEZ
Diane DiBerardino
(David M. Gabrius) wrote:
> Your're not going to get close to 40mpg hwy with the '91+ 1.8L engine;
> but I've seen several cars with the 1.9L Ford get these mileage numbers.
> Or are you referring to pre-91 cars?
> --
I'm still having a hard time believing this, but my 88 Escort GT with 120K
miles has been getting hi-30's (and 39 mpg twice) on long highway trips.
If it didn't happen on 5 - 6 tankfuls, I would've thought it was a fluke.
--
Diane (aka Dia...@aol.com)