2002 escape wont run
The way you can determine just what is leaking compression is with a leak down test.You might be able to do it with luck and try this,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Remove that spark plug,get that cylinder piston up to the top of its travel ,on it's compression stroke and blowing some compressed air into the cyl.If you hear a good sized leak from the oil fill hole, that would tell you it is a piston problem.If from the exhaust pipe , an exhaust valve problem , if from the throttle body , an intake valve problem.
Depending on what you find may help isolate the problem area. Cam timing can provide leaks from those areas also.
Remove that spark plug,get that cylinder piston up to the top of its travel ,on it's compression stroke and blowing some compressed air into the cyl.If you hear a good sized leak from the oil fill hole, that would tell you it is a piston problem.If from the exhaust pipe , an exhaust valve problem , if from the throttle body , an intake valve problem.
Depending on what you find may help isolate the problem area. Cam timing can provide leaks from those areas also.
Last edited by hanky; Apr 12, 2026 at 03:12 PM.
If you don't want to take everything apart, do a piston soak first in case it's just carbon build up, just remove the plugs and coil and pour berryman 0116 around 3oz per hole into the holes. You need a breaker bar and be able to turn the crankshaft bolt at the pulley clockwise (not counterclockwise) every 3 hours until a full 360 turn. You then need an oil change immediately to avoid hydrolock. If your car keep stalling you can't work on other issues.
hi quick update. I did a atf/acetone mix and let it soak overnight and regained 120+psi in that cylinder. after cranking, spark plug does seem to be slightly wet and black/sooted. these are new plugs as well. i will go ahead and do all the things on the chart that Heiko mentioned. this morning the car started for maybe 2-3 seconds then died and just cranks like usual.
spark seems orange, weak and inconsistent. ill try and post some photos of it. also i dont know if this is a relevant test but the car seems to want to run/start better with the intake manifold completely removed.
getting a weak inconsistent spark can you send me that info for the crankshaft and camshaft sensors. Thanks!
I think we need a little clarification here.
Could you be referring to the air cleaner being removed instead of the intake manifold. Engine can' start or run with intake manifold removed.
If you are talking about the air cleaner, if it is not restricted , we are working toward a fuel and air problem.
Spark is important, but we need to know if full battery power is available to the coils.What kind of test equip do you have to use ?
Could you be referring to the air cleaner being removed instead of the intake manifold. Engine can' start or run with intake manifold removed.
If you are talking about the air cleaner, if it is not restricted , we are working toward a fuel and air problem.
Spark is important, but we need to know if full battery power is available to the coils.What kind of test equip do you have to use ?


