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1998 Ford Escort ZX2 Engine Stalling, Urgent!!
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lordab0rtion
New User
Jun 1, 2012, 10:46 PM
Post #1 of 5
(4974 views)
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1998 Ford Escort ZX2 Engine Stalling, Urgent!!
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So my car has been acting up lately. Starts up just fine, idles just fine.
When i get moving above 15-20 MPH sometimes it will start acting like its running out of gas, the tachometer drops the engine light comes on, and lately it will also die.
I have to pull over turn the key off and start it back up. Tonight this happened and no matter what i did it wouldn't stop dying once i got moving down the road, So i ended up leaving it.
I have heard tons of different things and I cant seem to pinpoint the problem. Don't have much money to spend just "trying everything" and this is my transportation to work. If anyone can offer some advice that would be great!
If there are any questions I still need to answer let me know. Thanks.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 2, 2012, 3:04 AM
Post #2 of 5
(4923 views)
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Re: 1998 Ford Escort ZX2 Engine Stalling, Urgent!!
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If you can get a code reading but this beginning with low power and now not running suggests fuel pressure is not enough. That you can check, then for spark now that it wont run at all. Other things possible but those would be more likely from my take on your post,
T
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lordab0rtion
New User
Jun 2, 2012, 11:12 AM
Post #3 of 5
(4898 views)
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Re: 1998 Ford Escort ZX2 Engine Stalling, Urgent!!
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I am going to try some things today as soon as I get the chance. Would you recommend checking the plugs/wires first, then moving on to check the fuel pressure? (Which I am not sure how to do.) Also how would I know if it is the spark plug since nothing goes wrong when im sitting still, It's only when I am moving Edit : If it were a problem with the fuel pump, how would I know this for sure? The reason i ask is because I can not afford to spend alot of money to fix things that are not for sure wrong. Thanks in advance. I have the rest of today and tomorrow to get this fixed before i have to go back to work.
(This post was edited by lordab0rtion on Jun 2, 2012, 11:43 AM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 2, 2012, 3:40 PM
Post #4 of 5
(4882 views)
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Re: 1998 Ford Escort ZX2 Engine Stalling, Urgent!!
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I know you want this up and running now but need to avoid just tossing parts at random as it is almost always a waste of $$ for no gain.
Some test items are free to rent at large parts outlets like a fuel pressure tester. Spark tester is so cheap just buy one. If your only car and no ride or help to acquire stuff and test stuff it is going to have to get towed out to a shop that can.
Easy (well for some) to see if a fuel problem with plain starting fluid sprayed in throttle body. If lack of fuel only it should react and fire up if only for a few seconds then you know it's a fuel issue first and forget other things till that's taken care of.
If you test fuel pressure and can with key turned to run with a gauge hooked up to fuel rail should show and hold the pressure. Note the # even without starting the vehicle. I will try to find the spec or another volunteer here (all are) may have the specs for the pressure which is critical. Wouldn't matter if fuel pump was new it has to be within spec and be able to hold it.
If at all possible keep battery charged. We can't know unless told what the situation the car is in - a parking lot, driveway or what.
Are you in a situation with tools to do some of the work? If not it's time to send it out. If so do more testing and diagnosis than parts tossing.
Spark tester you just put in line between the plug wire and spark plug on one I use and shows spark. Better ones can visually show how far the spark can jump a gap. I'd be happy with just spark or not for now.
See what you can test out and let us know what you just can't if applicable and go from there,
T
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nickwarner
Veteran
/ Moderator
Jun 5, 2012, 5:21 PM
Post #5 of 5
(4842 views)
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Re: 1998 Ford Escort ZX2 Engine Stalling, Urgent!!
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Have you ever changed the fuel filter? Its a cheap part and needs service regularly. If it hasn't been done and a new one makes the pressure stay up then plan on a new pump too. The old one has run far too long overstressed and will die in the most inconvenient spot. To add to the starting fluid test, this must be done when the engine will not start to know if fuel is the issue. If it runs you obviously have spark and not fuel, which rules out the crank sensor and all ignition parts and makes us look at the fuel system. I'm glad you aren't throwing parts at it. Its a waste of money. We will help you confirm the fault and fix it right. Thats what we do in the shops we work in every day. As Tom says we are all volunteers and get nothing for doing this. We give away the knowledge we use to make a living.
Even David Copperfield never shows you where the rabbit went. We do.
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