- July 22: Ford EcoBoost Lawsuit Continues Even Though Recall Was Issued news | 0 days ago
- July 20: Cops Ordered to Pay Ford $12,000 in Explorer Carbon Monoxide Lawsuit news | 2 days ago
- July 6: Ford Appeals $1.7 Billion Roof-Crush Verdict news | 16 days ago
- July 5: Ford F-650 and F-750 Recall Issued Over Tie Rods recalls | 17 days ago
- July 3: Recall: Ford Mustang Steering Wheels Are Haunted recalls | 19 days ago
9.0
really awful- Typical Repair Cost:
- No data
- Average Mileage:
- 123,000 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 2 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
- call the junkyard (1 reports)
- not sure (1 reports)
engine problem
Helpful websites
- No one has added a helpful site for this 1997 Escort problem yet. Be the first!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
The dreaded 'Dropped Valve Seat' problem of Ford Escorts. Well documented design flaw in these next generation 2.0 liter SPI engines (several 'youtube' videos can show you what it sounds like after it happens...).
Ford kicked the can down the road for six model years w/o addressing it. They suck for doing so. ANY 1996-2001 Escort/Tracer or Focus with this engine becomes a ticking bomb as it approaches 100,000 miles. It matters not if the vehicle was well maintained, as the problem lies in the varying rates of expansion/contraction between the aluminum head, and ferrous metal valve seats. They WILL eventually loosen due to bad design regarding the way they are assembled, and drop bits of shrapnel, almost always into the # 4 cylinder. Might as well toss a handful of BB's into your intake manifold. When this eventually happens, it's usually with little or no notice, and nearly always fatal to the motor.
The problem is so widespread that junkyards are frequently sold out of salvageable heads for these engines, yet often have an abundant supply of very nice looking '97-'01 Escort bodies in need of a new motor. Now you know why...
- Kevin C., Portland, Ore, US