[Hemi Buff]

View attachment 55386
I recently bought a 1990 Escort LX. When I took it for the test drive it ran good at first but after about 1 minute of driving it began to backfire and lose power. Acceleration response was sporadic. The seller said it had never done that before. I got a
deal on the car because of this issue. When I came back with my tools, the car would sputter when the starter was engaged but as soon as I stop turning the key it would die. I posted a question about this problem and got a few suggestions that it was most likely the ignition control module. I replaced the ignition control module and the car started up and idled. When I took it for a drive it began to misfire and backfire again. The exhaust smells very rich and smoking. Now I'm not sure if it is a ignition issue or a fuel issue. I tried adjusting the timing at the distributor and it doesn't seem to help. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

 

[Hemi Buff]

I read about your problem, there is a small plastic black block on top of where the air exits the air-cleaner housing with 2 phillips head screws, the words " AIR FLOW are imprented on top with the arrow pointing towards the engine. By removing the screws it will lift right off. On the bottom side are 2 pair of tiny pins, between each pair there should be what looks like tiny springs. These are probably broken if they are not attached to only the 2 pins each. If you can absolutely be shure they are inplace and not hanging down , then it can be the plastic screw in " Air Temp Moniter ". This is located near the entrance side cover of the air filter assembly. Remove the 2 wire electrical clip and unscrew it out of the air filter cover. Using an OHM Meter ( red lead to Volt-ohm & black lead to common ) you can test this moniter by carefully touching the 2 male terminals where the electrical clip connection goes. If you get Zero readng on the amp probe, its bad, if you get continuity the meter will display a reading like 159 or 210, or even 108. An OHM meter Cannot Shock You ! Most auto parts can order these temp. sending units. Good Luck

 

[Hemi Buff]

Thanks. I'm not sure where the box is. Do you mean this thing? View attachment 55403

 

[Hemi Buff]

Sorry, I can't see what your talking about at all..Does that engine run on a carburetor ?

 

[Hemi Buff]

Ok, but your picture didn't show the sensor on the air cleaner cover, that was what I originally tried to bring to your attention, if I could have seen it I would have told you if it was what I was talking about.

 

[Hemi Buff]

Lol, thats not the same thing as the air filter canister with the removable top, as I described in my original reply to your problem. I cant remember if your make and model Escort has temp. sensors mounted on that filter lid. If it doesn't they may be located some place else, or even non-existent .

 

[Hemi Buff]

Check the distributer cap, it my be old with tiny cracks causing the spark to short our to the ignition wire next to it, or even dry-rotted ignition wires going to the spark plugs. Get someone to turn over the engine while the shop lites are off, and you'll be able to see the sparks jumping from wire to wire a lot easier.