QuestionI must begin by asking you please, not to write me back saying anything like "it's not worth it." I am very moch a fan of this make and model and it is worth it to me. I am aware of the time and money it will take to re-build this car and the fact that I will eventually have replaced everything from the rack to the seat belts. The car is a 1989 Ford Escort 2-door Pony with an EFI 1.9L engine, manual 4 speed transmision and manual steering.
The car is rolling in first gear (standard) and boggs in the rain. It is also burning oil (about 1 quart every 600 miles), also, when the car sits for a week, it blows out a large thick cloud of blue smoke (only if it sits).
I have been told that I need a "ring job." I can not find any one who is willing to do this that I trust to touch my car.
If I need a "ring job," I am thinking I may be better off if I can find a re-built motor instead.
I have been driving the car daily and have put about 2,000 miles on it since it has begun this behavior. It still has considerable power for an 89 Ford Escort with 281,768 miles. It only has "power trouble" in the rain or right after the rain.
Can you help me find a re-build or give any suggestions on the simptoms? Do you think any of the below info and/or needs might be causing the problem? Also, the car has size 185/70/R14 tires n' rims on it. I have called about this to numerous places and no one knows if that is the origonal size for the car. My other Escrots had 175's on them?
Info: I use 10W30 oil, regular unleaded gas, drive about 70 miles a day, replaced throttle body (shaft wobbly-high idle sticking), changed destributer, re-timed, regular tune ups, replaced shifting linkage and stick and valve cover gasket. And of course, body work.
Needs: 4 New strutts, break line in back or something (leaks fluid-still works), timing belt (some fray), oil pan (leak-might be coming from somewhere else,) and the driver's side wheel bearing.
I apreciate any answer and thank you for your' time. And of course, hold no advice responsible for any problems this car has (it's exceded it's expected life span around these parts by 100,000 miles already.)
Thanks Tracey
AnswerTracey-
While I can't point you to a rebuilt engine (I don't know much about the market for 1.9L motors), I can help with the symptoms. The bogging you described after rain is probably an electrical gremlin somewhere in the ignition system. It could be worn spark plug wires or an exposed section of wire somewhere. My money would be on a bad plug wire, but I can't say that for certain. When it rains, it makes it easier for electricity to arc from one place to another so the energy may not make it where it's going.As for the blue smoke, my guess would be either extremely worn valve guides/seals or bad piston rings. Either one could be handled relatively easily by even the most mediocre machine shop. While a rebuilt engine would be better in the long run, a re-ring or valve work isn't too hard to do. If you really wanted a rebuilt motor and can't find one online or in parts stores, you could always pull a motor from a similar year/trim Escort and have it rebuilt while still using your current engine. As much as I hate to admit it, I run my "fun" car so hard that I like to keep a spare engine lying around at all times just in case. So you could install the rebuilt engine and keep the ailing one in case you have problems. Just a though. Hope this helps.
Steve
