Another vote for engine mounts here. Could also be the 90 degree vacum elbow that goes from PCV valve to intake, they tend to swell and deteriorate from oil.

 

I'm experiencing the same thing with my 97 Escort. The car has salvaged title as it had front end damage before I aquired it. It was all repaired and repainted but you can see where they've done work. I bought the car used and for a few months never experienced any issues then all the sudden I put the car in reverse and it shudders terribly. Once I shift the auto transmission back to drive it stops. But a few years later, the shudder happens more frequently. When I'm at a stop with the car in drive but brakes applied, the idle varies and goes from a high shudder to a medium vibrating sensation and then it stops once I get going again. I had my family mechanic take a look at it and he indicated that the motor mounts are either broken or cracked and in need of replacement. But he wasn't 100% convinced that was the culprit without replacing them straight away. Are these symptoms sounding familar? I'm reluctant to replace them if that's not the problem. Any suggestions?

 

pretty normal for the automatics to vibrate, you might check your motor mouts on the side of the engine, as far as a drivability concern, if the check engine light isn't on i wouldn't worry

 

I own a '98 Escort SE, which just overcame this same problem. The huge vibration came from a bad motor mount, located in the front of the compartment. The rubber just gets old and the hydraulic fluid leaks out, causing the rattle. Easy repair, except because of Syracuse weather, the bolt had rusted right to the nut and we ended up hust cutting the entire assembly. Quick and easy solution to the vibration. Hope this helps.

-Rob

 

[8D]Just to let every one know,my wife has worn out 3 escorts,2 station wagons and now the recent one is a 1998 sport. 2.0 cross fire. the problem seems to me if there was some way to increase the rpm just .025 at idle it would elemenate the rough part.I have set at a light and experiemented with the throttle and found if that were possible it could be fixed. Apachejim.
gaun_dncr@excite.com