[BlownV6]

I bought a 95 5 spd LX Escort tonight. I didn't see a FAQ sticky so I'm wondering what are common problems for these cars and warning signs to look out for? I read on wikipedia about some trans bearing going out usually around 80k and your speedometer will stop working. Speedo still works so I'm good there, anything else?

Also are there any free mods you can do to these cars? Anything restrictive that's easy and harmless to remove?

I got it for $600 and it's in good shape so if something catastrophic happens I'm not too worried.

 

[silverton]

I guess a common problem on these is broken springs. so as long as you don't hear any funny clunks when going over bumps I'm sure you're fine. Also, I hear the 1.9's like to drop valve seats, cylinder 4 is the most popular for this to happen to.

 

[silverton]

Oh, and the whole intake/exhaust system is a restriction... just fyi

 

[EscorGo]

Replace the timing belt before it leaves you stranded somewhere.
Rear suspension springs tend to break without any symptoms - I just replaced mine.
I would check the brake caliper pins to make sure the brakes aren't dragging.
The usual stuff that wears: tierods, water pump, struts, wheel bearings etc

 

[Cymmantix]

Heater cores tend to fail as well, although that goes for probably all second gens. There is a TSB out for this - repeated failure due to electrolysis of the coolant. The fix involves removing the entire dash basically. That was the only issue that plagued mine when I had it.

 

[chrisanthony14]

I bought a 95 5 spd LX Escort tonight. I didn't see a FAQ sticky so I'm wondering what are common problems for these cars and warning signs to look out for? I read on wikipedia about some trans bearing going out usually around 80k and your speedometer will stop working. Speedo still works so I'm good there, anything else?

Also are there any free mods you can do to these cars? Anything restrictive that's easy and harmless to remove?

I got it for $600 and it's in good shape so if something catastrophic happens I'm not too worried.

my speedo actually is actually working wildly now..so i'm going to have to change that

 

[zzyzzx]

PCV elbow.

 

[BlownV6]

Are these engines pretty easy to work on? I've barely had the chance to peak under the hood. My GTP is so stuffed in there it makes it a bitch for routine maintenance. Let alone when I try to add performance parts.

Heres my introduction by the way.
http://www.feoa.net/modules.php?name=Fo ... ic&t=63666

 

[madmatt2024]

I'm sure you will find the 95 LX much easier to work on compared to your GTP.

 

[BlownV6]

I'm sure you will find the 95 LX much easier to work on compared to your GTP.

For some things maybe. I was looking at the timing belt, damn I'd be able to get my supercharger and accessory belts off and back on before I even know where to start with this escort

 

[denisond3]

Look in the "How-To" subforum. About the 4th or 5th one is about replacing the timing belt.

Mine was a little easier than the example shown, since my Escorts dont have the cruise control goody. I found the toughest step was (if I was replacing the water pump with the engine in the car), to get a new lower radistor hose back onto the large inlut tube of the water pump.
And to make it easier to get the heater hose onto the rear input tube of the water pump, I took off the upper motor mount isolator, and the bracket that bolts to the rear side of the engine block. Also having the motor mount loose lets you raise the engine - so its easier to get the tensioner bolt out, and a little easier to get the new belt onto the sprockets.

I also find the Escort engine and tranny easy to work on.

 

[JordanRivers]

Automatic seatbelts can get stuck. Ignition switch can wear out. Blower motor resistor can burn/melt at the connectors. Door lock cylinders. Check power steering pump when changing accessory drive belt. Gas caps are fragile. Oil pressure switch can go bad, mine was leaking. As said above tie rods and balljoints can go fast - get good greasable ones. You may not know the rear springs are broken just by the ride - jack the car up and look at them. If you have an auto trans, change the filter and fluid - most people never do this and it should be done at least every 20k. Most of this stuff isn't that bad to deal with. The timing belt is actually not that bad but as said above there is not much room for water pump work. First head gasket, T-belt and water pump I did took 3 hrs. When I fired up the car, the W-pump was leaking. Took everything back apart and found gasket was not quite on there right. 1 hr later it was runnin' fine. Good luck. Point being - it gets easier the second time or even third time around.

 

[BlownV6]

I need to buy a haynes manual I guess, my heater cores already gone. Would like to have heat and defrost this winter.

 

[zzyzzx]

I need to buy a haynes manual I guess, my heater cores already gone. Would like to have heat and defrost this winter.

Get the factory service manual instead. They are cheap enough used off of eBay. The Haynes and Chilton manuals suck.

 

[Cymmantix]

There is a nice how-to video (on YouTube) for the heater core replacement. See this thread:

http://www.feoa.net/modules.php?name=Fo ... ic&t=58180

 

[94escortmodsman]

The airbox in the front right part of your engine bay facing the front, is extremely restrictive. YOu can cut a major part of the airbox out and open the flow in there.

 

[pstrbrc]

I'm sure you will find the 95 LX much easier to work on compared to your GTP.

For some things maybe. I was looking at the timing belt, damn I'd be able to get my supercharger and accessory belts off and back on before I even know where to start with this escort

Trust me. The third belt you do (and you'd better be religiously changing these at 50k miles) will take you two hours, tops. Three if you have to do it in the driveway 'cause the garage's too full. :lol:

 

[juggalo]

The airbox in the front right part of your engine bay facing the front, is extremely restrictive. YOu can cut a major part of the airbox out and open the flow in there.

u can actually take out the silencer that's underneath the airbox

 

[94escortmodsman]

I just cut out basically the entire bottom of it, minus the mounting screws. But eventually, I just replaced with AZ brand cone air.

 

[juggalo]

yeah u'm sure u've seen the picture of my intake on here before since i've posted it a couple times. i have more pics on my myspace.