OT-Ford Escort 1.9 Engine

Stockdale Dave · Jul 14, 2009

Kid was driving the 1995 Escort today when it started losing power and he pulled over. The thing only has 55K miles but when I started it it was knocking like a Jehovah Witness on Saturday morning. I looked on the Internet and see where these engines have a habit of dropping a valve seat. I pulled the valve cover expecting to see one or more valves not working but they are all going. The clacking is definitely in the top end...anyone know of any other possible problem before I pull the head on this thing? Ammo is expensive and in short supply so shooting it is not an option.

John M · Jul 14, 2009

What about the belt? Mine started coming apart once, slapping the torn peices on the cover. Glad I got rid if that old thing!

cadet trooper · Jul 14, 2009

Those goofey things had serious head problems warping and such how does the oil and coolant look?

Stockdale Dave · Jul 14, 2009

Oil and coolant are full. Man what a piece of #&%$ if they take a dump at 55K miles.

GREGinMO · Jul 14, 2009

The valves will all still move if it drops a seat. Sometimes when the engine cools it will stop knocking, but the seat will come back out when it warms up. I"d pull the head, and make sure it didnt ding up the piston and go from there.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 14, 2009

Over-reving will float the valves into contact with the pistons. When I introduced Nitrous to mine it went crazy and I had all I could do to keep the front tires in contact with the ground. It didn't last long but was fun while it lasted.

lucas boy · Jul 14, 2009

check for some rockers that might be loose.. sometimes i can feel each rocker when its running and tell if its loose ..

Brian Jasper co. Ia · Jul 14, 2009

The 1.9 is a free wheeling engine. If the belt goes on one of those, just put on a new one and go again. The 1.6 was the one with the head problems.

bill mart · Jul 14, 2009

I dont think so on the free wheeling .Its my understanding its an interference engine,meaning the valves can hit the pistons if the belt breaks,got a 1997 with 144,000 miles on it sitting with at least 4 bent valves.replaced the first belt at 90,000 miles. bill m.

MF#1 · Jul 14, 2009

I fixed one a few years ago, 1.9L, that had two cylinders dead. It was much cheaper for me to find another engine and swap it out. I doubt if you find the problem and fix it that it will last much longer unless it is something very simple. I have to wonder what kind of treatment it has been through....I have a teenage son too(it wasn't his car).

Stockdale Dave · Jul 14, 2009

Belt is good. It will run but sounds bad. Idles up and down probably 1000 RPM but sounds like it is coming apart. I'm only running it in 30-45 second cycles trying to find the problem.

Kris Golden · Jul 14, 2009

The old Ford 2.3s had a bad habit of stompin like a disco. I forget what it was but it was in the top end/camshaft. If you could find out what thier problem was - maybe this 1.9 did the same thing?? I have a 1.9 in a 91 E-squat and it is most definately a clearanced motor as it ate two timing belts in less than 100,000 miles. Both times it ate some coggs off the belt but the belt never "broke"

INCase · Jul 15, 2009

We had an 85 escort. lost the motor at 85000. Just go to Wally-world and get a new motor since they're a throw away car (just kidding)... I used to work in automotive with Ford being our biggest customer. I'm really surprised Ford isn't bankrupt as well, of course its not over yet, they too can end up there. They did trim up a bit earlier than the others but they're not in great shape. When they did the big buy out the shed alot of people and got rid of too much knowledge. They moved guys that worked in brakes for 30 years to the body group to fill empty spots. They haven't made a good car in years and definitely not a good looking car. Even their trucks are soso. and they wonder why Honda and Toy are eating their lunch......

Kevin Meier · Jul 15, 2009

If it's still knocking like a jehova witness just slam the door then the knocking goes away.

sbin · Jul 15, 2009

Dropped valve seat is my guess also it is a common failure.Whatever seat dropped is most likely banging on the piston.
Looking at a rebuilt head, gasket set, timing belt at least.The piston could be dinged from baning against the seat if the cylinder wall is clean you can try cleaning the piston top with a dremel then clean the cylinder and intake manifold very well to remove any metal debris.Definately not the approved method but we did a friends that way and it is still on the road 40k and counting.

Bryce · Jul 15, 2009

Got a 93,belt broke at 65 mph (if you can believe that motor will pull it that fast)put a new one on no problems.P.S. Uncle told me to change it and the water pump before 100k,98,800 miles it went LOL.

Stockdale Dave · Jul 16, 2009

UPDATE...pulled the plugs and number 4 was wet and covered with shiny metal shavings. Looks like the dreaded valve seat drop. What a piece of junk.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys.

OT-Ford Escort 1.9 Engine

Stockdale Dave

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John M

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cadet trooper

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Stockdale Dave

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GREGinMO

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Anonymous-0

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lucas boy

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Brian Jasper co. Ia

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bill mart

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MF#1

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Stockdale Dave

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Kris Golden

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INCase

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Kevin Meier

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sbin

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Bryce

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Stockdale Dave

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