Head gasket failure on 1997 ford escort sw.
1997 Ford Escort engine complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 67, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Consumer's daughter was driving and vehicle shook when in reverse. Took vehicle to dealer, and they told her tie rods were defective. Another dealer told her it was the motor mounts.
Upon turning the vehicle on it stalled . Tried starting it again and it blew up, burning completely to the back seat of the vehicle. There were no warnings or indications.
I have a 1997 ford escort that is at drbn total automotive, 23420 van born rd.,dbn hts, mi 48125 for a preventative maintenance issue. Rear main seal leak (very minor at this point, a little spot on trans) was found by belle tire (drbn, mi). Drbn total replaced front pump seal & rear main seal for $486.85 on 6/5/04. I returned 6/14/04 (still leaking, but now on the ground). They kept for 9 days, changed the seal & put a cover on the crank. When I picked up, I got 5 minutes away & the transmission fluid was pouring out of my car & smoking. I had car towed in 6/24/04 & it is still there. They are now putting a seal saver on the main seal. The manager of the store advised me that they did not know what else to do & they talked to the dealer of the car. The dealer claims they have never had this problem with an escort before. Drbn total says they will give me my money back if they can't fix it. I disagree with that because I came in there with money & a car that was running with a problem that should have been taken care of without keeping my car for 3 going on 4 weeks (off and on) & destroying my transmission. I am handicapped & work & I was recommended this store by a usma automotive member & I pride myself in keeping up my maintenance on my car. Now I'm stuck, please help!
While driving 35 MPH engine valve guide dropped. As a result, engine was destroyed.
While driving 55 MPH vehicle stalled. Consumer was unable to pull off the road. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that engine failed.
I purchased a new 1997 ford escort in september 1996. After driving the car for about a week the anti-lock brake light came on and the car was losing brake fluid. This happened a couple of times. I took the car back to the dealer and was advised that the brake fitting was missing some threads. Dealer fixed problem. This past january I got a letter from ford about the recall for the air bag monitor/sensor problem and had to take it to the local dealer to have that problem corrected. Now the car has a slow coolant leak. I took it to a repair shop and was advised that the head gasket is leaking. The car only has about 62,850 miles on it and has been very well maintained. It will cost approximately $800.00 - $1000.00 to replace the head gasket. I feel this head gasket failure is premature and ford should pay for it. This was the first ford vehicle I ever purchased and it will probably be the last. I want to know why they cannot put a $14,000 car together correctly and assure its quality to last. I looked at some of the service bulletins and previous complaints on the federal safety agency web site regarding the 1997 ford escort and they are distressing to say the least. My next vehicle will be a gm product.
The vehicle made a loud noise while driving. Consumer stated a rubber piece was loose inside the engine. *ak the damp assembly separated and moved forward into the fender wall through the serpentine belt. *scc
Problems with vehicle stalling out.*mr the check engine light came on, which caused the vehicle to idle and almost stall at every stop. The vehicle was service five times for the check engine light. *ts. The spark wires were replaced the fuel injection system was cleaned, the fuel injector was replaced, however the problem continued, the dealer then diagnosed the problem as carbon build up, and it was explained in the service bulletin the new heads should have revised valve guides and exhaust valves to prevent carbon build up
Engine service light stays on while driving. This is caused by an oil sensor failure due to a hole in the oil pan which rusted the belts per mechanic.
The vehicles check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealership and given a tune up. A day later the engine siezed. The vehicle was taken back tot he dealer and they replaced the engine.
The vehicle caught on fire under the hood.
A fire erupted under the hood, when the vehicle was started.
Consumer states there is a fine mist coming out of right climate vent, developing film on outside of windshield, possible heater core, A/C leak or A/C condenstation. Also getting a noise when blower motor is running. Heater/air conditioner blower motor, air conditioner blower resistor, and blower motor wiring harness have been replaced. Air conditioning system disodorized.
Consumer stated there was a very fine mist coming from the vent and there was a noise when blower motor was on, the dealer replaced motor assembly for the air conditioner and heater.
While driving 30 MPH crankshaft pulley fell off.*ak
Engine check light appears on dashboard when consumer took vehicle to dealership. When dealership dropped vehicle off there was a knocking noise coming from underneath vehicle. Engine locked up.
While driving engine check light illuminated, causing vehicle to stall. Consumer shut engine off, resulting in vehicle not restarting. Consumer tried to investigate, and found the antifreeze fluid overflowing, and causing electrical wires to melt.
An electrical short circuit is occurring within vehicle which is causing vehicle battery to completely lose power. *ak consumer states radio caused battery to drain and speakers to pop, radio replaced 3 times, experiencing other electrical problems with the headlights dimming when the heater is on or when applying brakes, radiator had to be replaced, engine lights come on intermittently, and poor acceleration when going up a hill.
Engine stalled at 55 MPH. After the repair the check engine light came on, and the dealer couldnt fix the problem with the egr valve.
Crankshaft pully separated from engine block, causing sudden loss of power steering. Vehicle only had 30m miles.
Harmonic balancer failed without warning while vehicle was parked and engine idling. Loud noise such as metal on metal eminated from engine compartment. Vehicle towed to ford dealer. Advised by dealer that part poorly designed and new design in stock for replacement. Thermostat remained open not allowing engine to reach operating temperature. When replaced, the original thermostat came out of housing in three separate pieces. Fuel pump made whining noise from rear of vehicle. Replaced at no charge.
While driving vehicle completely shutsdown without warning, cause unknown. Dealer cannot correct problem. Please give any further details.
Radiator replaced, old radiator leaking at tank seam split. Cj
How can a dealership not acknowledge the motor/transmission are both foreign items. If I wanted to purchase a foreign car I would have. And for both motor replacement cost $2600 and transmission $2800 to go out the same time. Isn't there some law that states a dealership/mfg must acknowledge the type of equipment (parts) being used in a automobile??
Harmonic balancer crankshaft came off without prior warning. Part was defective from manufacturer dealership was aware of problem.
Timing belt was broke had replaced it car only runs on 2 cylinders car not running.
Vehicle would start to sputter when started. Would need to give gas to get vehicle running & then moving. At other times, vehicle would stall while driving. Can smell anti-freeze coming through the vents. Had taken vehicle 4 times to dealer & mechanic replaced head gasket the last time. *ak the head gasket failed over and over again after being replaced.
Bottom pulley/crankshaft has slowly separated and cut into the firewall.*ak when turning left, the engine tilts and the crankshaft pulley cuts into the right fender. The mechanic says it is due to defect.
Crankshaft/pulley broke as consumer was driving on the highway, and she heard a loud noise coming from underneath the hood. She took vehicle to a repair shop.
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