Gremlins in the engine
 

I have a problem that is random enough to be difficult to diagnose. I got the head rebuilt on my Escort this spring, and at the time they threw in a used MAF because the one I had was totally shot. It was a free part and given with the advice that, "When the car starts sputtering and dying, get yourself a new one, because this one isn't that much better than what you had.

So last week the car started running like crap (I know, it always does) and dying on me. So I threw in a new MAF yesterday and it appeared the car was going to be fine.

On the way into work this morning I'm sitting at a red light and I hear something funny, almost like a ticking, and the car dies. It feels like it’s missing, at low rpm, but will pull as well as that car can.

I'm going to stop on the way home and get plugs, wires and a new filter. There are no cap/rotor on this car, as it’s the 1.9 sohc. If this doesn't help I may just put a bullet in the darn thing, unless anybody’s got some advice. I think the head work maybe under warranty, but I would rather not send it back to the shop, if it’s something simple.

SHOOT IT!!! GIVE THE DARN THING A NICE JUNKYARD FUNERAL AND MOVE ON!! :D

J/K, sounds like a question for Chris...

I missed you so much this weekend, you always know the right thing to say.:rolleyes:

Hopefully he will see this. (hint hint)

Hey Mike!!!

When I was researching tonight I found this website!! Thought you might be interested...

http://roadsters.com/deuce/

So I spent this evening changing out minor parts to cure what started out sounding like a miss. I couldn't really tell, since my e-brake is broken and I couldn't find an area where the car wouldn't overcome the static coefficient of friction. (where it wouldn't roll)

I had it up on jackstands with the rear wheels chocked. I finished working on it, and fired the mother up. Sounded like hell, and I think either I lost a valve seat (again:mad: ) Or I lost the head of a valve down into the #1 cylinder. The latter sounds like what happened as I was running back around to shut it down.

Now I get to fight with the shop who did my head work in March. I really hope that the seat didn't go bad today causing the valve to break, and gouge the top of my piston. :eek: That's what I'm expecting and I'm going to guess they think its my fault.

When I pulled the spark plugs it looked like they appeared scorched, :confused: which I don't understand if the car wasn't running hot and they had 3k miles on them???

I'm giving this car a big WTF, and one more chance to run. I may have to sell both cars to get one I can drive everyday. Looks like I need a drink......Bartender?!

Shelby-
That's a great site. I'll swipe somebodys digital camera and get some pics of my buddies Deuce up. All steel highboy with a built 427 cammer. Car is as he puts it, "Pretty fast".:D

I thought you would like that!! :D Your friends car sound interesting, can't wait to see pictures. I was actually researching the history of flame painting when I found that site, go figure...


Well, sounds like the Cobra is getting closer to your garage...

Sorry you are having so much trouble :(

Shelby

History of flame painting, eh? Can't remember if Duke ever did that kind of stuff.

I've been thinking for about 30 minutes that if this goes poorly with the little Ford, I may get an early 4.6 or sn95. Personally think the first post fox design is one of the best looking. It would be a good stop gap measure until the Cobra.:D

OH, OH!!!! Get a 1994 GT with a 5.0, I have been looking for one for me lately, to give Scarlet a boyfriend :D LOL Plus I miss my 1996 Steeda, that was a fun car!!

What year is it (the car, funny guy)? Have you done a compression check on it?

The car is a '93, and I have not run a test on it. What should it be, and I'm worried about even turing the motor over at this point, sounds really bad.

If it's that bad, you have to pull the head.

Sorry.

Take care,
-Chris

I figure I'll borrow a truck and tow it back up to the guys that "fixed" it in March. I told them I thought welding the head was a BAD idea, and he looked at me like I was a friggen idiot.:rolleyes:

Thanks for the help though. I am seriously considering going to a late model Mustang now, and having just that and the bike. It would be cheaper than trying to keep both the other POS's on the road.

That right there doesn't sound good. By the way, what is a maf?

If I where u, sounds like u need to get them to buy u a new motor. I'm thinking u will find something lose in the cylinder, which is never good.

Mustangman- MAF=Mass AirFlow meter.

That's hopeful thinking that they would buy a new motor. I'll settle for it fixed right at no extra cost, or a refund. But I doubt either will happen.:rolleyes: