Bah...vehicle woes

[ARichte23]

So...the car I was hoping would make it until I'm able to purchase a Fortwo (which would be another year and a half seeing as I haven't reserved) has stopped running. Turns over...but won't start, and I won't be able to have it towed home until tomorrow evening!!!

Grr, well...if anyone is familiar with the 1.9l second generation Ford Escort (mine is 94 model year LX) I'd greatly appreciate any tips you may have.

The engine turns over just fine...but no starting. Timing belt is still on and turns (unknown if it skipped or not...but there's no backfiring or odd sounds when turning over), every wire gives off spark (have yet to pull each plug individually to check) and I'm unsure if fuel is getting to the engine. The cutoff switch was partially triggered...but after it was reset it still would not start.


Oh well...venting over

[SmartBob]

I'm almost in the same boat. I'm just hoping my Neon will last till summer. I've no major problems now so knock on wood, eh? Sorry Ritchie, I hope it's an inexpensive fix for you.

[bobnyuma]

Most likely it is the eletronic ignition module on the distributor. Alot of the Escorts had problems with them mounted there so they moved them to the firewall. Seems heat and vibration may be the culprit.

[a2jack]

Arichte23

It's been cold at night around here and that's usually the start of fuel problems in old cars.

This is just a shot in the dark, as you didn't state when you last drove it, or why you would suspect the timing belt, but get it in a garage and heat it up.

Than go after the fuel filter, put some gas antifreeze in the tank. If you can bare the cold, check an injector for flow, If carb, shoot in some good old start juice.

Good luck.
A2jack.

[ARichte23]

It's a daily driver, and I had driven it to and home from work (very short commute, less than 5 miles) and around town for about 10 minutes before stopping for gas!


Crazy thing is...I called up towing company today, told them exactly where it was 'Southeast corner of...' I said, 'across from the old Mobil station'. But they couldn't find it...and of course I had to go and forget my cell phone. So after waiting for an hour...I decide to give up and head home, guess they didn't want my money!

But hey...it was way too cold and windy to check anything out today anyway. (Live in SE Michigan)

[a2jack]

A Rich.

Too cold to check yeah, I agree. I wonder if that last shot of gas had some water in it. BTW we are in Michigan too.

In Alaska we used to cover them over and fire up a heater underneath to thaw the gas lines. Worked well , but etc- etc.

A2jack

[jonnysan]

Originally Posted by a2jack

A Rich.

Too cold to check yeah, I agree. I wonder if that last shot of gas had some water in it. BTW we are in Michigan too.

In Alaska we used to cover them over and fire up a heater underneath to thaw the gas lines. Worked well , but etc- etc.

A2jack

Should be standard procedure when temps go below freezing and drygas WILL permeate throughout entire fuel system including melting the frozen water in the line if it is. No need to circulate or anything ...just pour it in, wait about 10 minutes and then try it. If it still doesn't start, it IS NOT a frozen gas line.

[ARichte23]

I'll give the drygas a shot tomorrow...but it seems that nobody wants my money!

After waiting around last night...and calling around today I still can't get a tow...told over and over to call back tomorrow morning. Which I'll be able to do...since I have the day off! :woohoo

[sisyphus]

A, sorry to hear of your car woes. The old "Found On the Road Dead" comes to mind. (Sorry, I had to get that in there!)
You say you got gas? Just before turning it off for the day? I would be very suspicious of the fresh gas you pumped. Let a certified mechanic check it out. You may have an issue with that gas and might need your tank pumped out. Best not to mess with that! If it turns out there is a problem with the gas you will have proof from the mechanic that it is so, and you can submit a claim to the gas station for the repairs.

Good Luck!

[ARichte23]

Well, she's finally at home...and I don't suspect that it's a problem with quality of the gas...since the car never actually ran after I pumped the gas!

Grabbed my receipt and sat back down...turned the key and it didn't even get to 1000rpm before it wound down...