My 1993 5speed Ford Escort has 105,000 mostly highway miles, timing belt replacement at 80,000 and gets good milage. About a year ago, the following symptoms arose. While driving between 55 and 65 mph, the engine acted like it's starving for fuel or running on 3 cylinders. When mashing the accelerator, it surges forward and then easing up on the accelerator the front end shakes violently. You have to drive through the shaking by easing the accelerator to the floor. If you drive faster the shaking doesn't happen, nor does it happen under 50 mph. Ford did a diagnostic on the road and found that when the shaking is occuring there is no electrical activity across the O2 sensor. So far, the plugs and wires have been changed, the mass air flow sensor, coil pack and the O2 sensor have been replaced and the problem still occurs between 55 and 65mph. The Ford guy says it must be a sticking valve or lifter and would require an engine rebuild. This sounds funny to me that an electrical short during the shaking is caused by a mechanical issue such as a lifter. Could there be some other sensor or electrical component malfunctioning? Otherwise, the car runs fine, the problem only occurs during highway speeds of 55 to 65 mph. Thanks.

 

I have a 94 Escort LX 1.9L, and it seems to be having similar problems. My best guess is that it is some sort of fuel delivery problem. I have been working on mine, trying to figure it out what is causing the hesitation, but no luck yet. I have replaced the fuel pump, fuel filter, air filter, spark plugs, PCV valve, and maintained all the fluids. I will keep working on mine until I figure it out, and I'll let you know how it goes. Good luck with yours!!

 

Either one or both you guys got EGR on your Escorts? Just wondering, when my '93 had the original 160,000 mile 1.9L non-EGR in it, I can't recall having this problem. Related maybe?





www.feoa.net

 

I'm not sure if mine is EGR or not, but I will check it out. Thanks!