Hey there everyone. I've got a sick 95 Escort and am hoping to get some help. It's a 1.9 with A/T with 92,000 miles. After being shut-off for about an hour, my DAUGHTER restarted the engine and it ran rough and had a terrible rattling sound to it. My first thought was that the timing belt had slipped, so I got the timing cover off and everythinglined up just fine at TDC. (I went ahead and changed it anyway since I had it all apart.) I checked resistance in the wires and those seem to be okay, and it's got spark to all the plugs. It's getting gas, and all the fluid levels are fine. The rattling sound gets faster with increased RPM. It doesn't seem to be there when you turn the engine over, just when it's actually running. And, there's no check engine light. My next thought is the ignition control module. Is there any way to test those? Any help you all might have would be much appreciated. The key thing is..the car ran perfectly until it was turn off? Then upon restart or attempt t start this noise began immediately and the car is now undrivable? Thanks!NEED HELP ASAP? Goodnused@aol.com

 

A person Contacted me and said,,,their escort did the exact same thing. They said the number #4 cylinder valve seat is broken and said this is common with the 1995 1.9L engine.
They advised me to run a compression test and when removing the head..look for all the valve seat parts either in the cylinder or intake ..exhaust manifolds. Do inventory and make sure the parts have been removed before reassembly.
I did the compression test. Number 4 compression is zero.
So I will let you know if I find something different after removing the head. I consider this failure to be oneof Ford Engineering and quality control. As I have never had a vehicle loose a valve seat on any vehicle before. I bought this vehicle new and has been taken care of constantly. Ford estimated it to be a $1500 repair...actually more then the care is worth..blue book wise. We will see what it cost to fix and let you know. $745 for a rebuilt ford head. Don't think I would buy it from ford..since they didn't make the first one right when it was new apparently?

 

have you checked the vibration damper?Ours did the same thing...it's an easy fix.

 

The Condition can be described as a no start...or trys to start, like it is out of time. If it does start and run...it will make a knocking noise like valves hitting pistions. Were in actuallity..it is a piece of the Valve seat that is ricoshaying inside the cylinder 700 times per minute. Very loud and easy to hear the noise. First impression, Scarry and expensive!
After the Autopsy and help from people here, I confirmed that 20% of the number 4 cylinder intake valve seat had dropped into the cylinder. PS. make sure you find all the pieces in the intake or exhaust manifold before reassembly.
At this point...ebay rebuilt head..gaskets. pan gaskets.head bolts shipping. piston and ring set is going to cost at Least $400 for parts. Send me an email if I can help out anyone else? Also..take a compression test...that will tell you if your problem is the same. And it seems to be number 4 cylinder intake valve seat...according to about 6 others I have spoken with and myself. 1995 ford escort automatic 1.9 L EFI california car. My car I have owned since new...58 oil changes...garaged..never over heated and well maintained. It was 28 degrees outside when the piece 20% of the pie valve seat fell out. Good luck! Richard. FORD HAS A BETTER IDEA? This probably happened because a cost engineer said he could make or buy the same seat for a nickle less...So the 20 cent profit to ford...gave me a $2000.00 expense. Ford engineers and bean counters. Your saved 20Cents...just cost you a life time customer! Try to spend those profits. Won't be long and Toyota and honda will have you all in the unemployment line! I hope I don't sound angry! Just the Facts MAMM! "JUST THE FACTS!"

P.S. Gary..wish mine was a simple vibration Dampner! Thank you for the suggestion though! People helping people is how we learn...And of course thank all TEACHERS for teaching us to read and write! The UNSUNG HEROS and under paid I might ad. Pay teachers more and adminstrators less! then you can get a better education for the same amount of money! GEE! Why didn't the supers figure out that simple math!..? they must have flunked math! LOL