this problem is very regular for this kind of engine, including the the four door escorts (last gen), but the zetec, duratec and the push-rod v-8s ford makes are almost bullet proof my mom has a zetec and it runs no matter how much she neglects it (no oil change in almost 10,000 miles and a bad power steering pump plus an idiot mechanic, who is scamming her but she still goes to) it still runs good.
@thamoja I went with the SPI engine because it gets better gas mileage, but now I'll have to drive 500,000 miles to make up for all the money I spent fixing it. Should have bought a Zetec.
Years ago,I dropped a valve on my 1968 Honda CB 450 with 4,200 miles @ 60 mph locked up the rear wheel..Woo Hoo! didn't crash . Even with the cost of repairs on your car, still less cost per mile than a new one. In 1973 I bought a 1956 Ford Customline from the Orig.owners for $150.00 .Drove it for 18 yrs No major repairs
@kawakocher I've found that if you buy something with a big American V8, it will run forever and if anything does break, it's really cheap to fix. I used to do that, but then gas got expensive so I figured I'd buy a small car to save money on gas. I'll have to drive the Focus for a few more years to make up for all the money I've spent on repairs.
Yep, I dropped the valve in my 93 escort at 140k. It wasn't just the focus that suffered this problem. All of the hemi shaped chv ford engines did this. The valve train was 175 on ebay with a 2 year warranty though. I just replaced the engine though but I don't know the mileage of the engine I got or if has lost it's valve previously, but I like to live on the edge and all. LOL
@ACoustaDC I thought about putting a used Ford Focus engine in, but I was afraid I'd have the same problem again really soon. I have total confidence in it now that I know the machinist did the valve seats right.The car has a new clutch and new tires, so I couldn't junk it. I had the starter, water pump, timing belt, tesnsioner, and accessory belt replaced too so it should be like a new car for a few years. I spent as much as the car is worth to fix it, so it better work for a while.
this problem is very regular for this kind of engine, including the the four door escorts (last gen), but the zetec, duratec and the push-rod v-8s ford makes are almost bullet proof my mom has a zetec and it runs no matter how much she neglects it (no oil change in almost 10,000 miles and a bad power steering pump plus an idiot mechanic, who is scamming her but she still goes to) it still runs good.
thamoja 3 weeks ago
@thamoja I went with the SPI engine because it gets better gas mileage, but now I'll have to drive 500,000 miles to make up for all the money I spent fixing it. Should have bought a Zetec.
hoohoohoblin 3 weeks ago
@hoohoohoblin could always do an engine swap
thamoja 3 weeks ago
Years ago,I dropped a valve on my 1968 Honda CB 450 with 4,200 miles @ 60 mph locked up the rear wheel..Woo Hoo! didn't crash . Even with the cost of repairs on your car, still less cost per mile than a new one. In 1973 I bought a 1956 Ford Customline from the Orig.owners for $150.00 .Drove it for 18 yrs No major repairs
MCTeck 1 month ago
@MCTeck My dad is still driving his 1956 Ford Country Sedan station wagon. I think he's on his third engine rebuild.
hoohoohoblin 1 month ago
Did you find all the pieces of metal that dropped into the crankcase?
Drobium77 1 month ago
@Drobium77 Yes. They were in the oil pan. I do wonder where the valve seat went. It wasn't in the cylinder.
hoohoohoblin 1 month ago
@hoohoohoblin yikes!
I bet you not gonna be doing any trans-american journies with the rebuilt engine?
It would do my head in to think about where the bugger had got to.
Drobium77 1 month ago
I like your car ownership philosophy! My 2003 Yukon is my longterm car.
kawakocher 1 month ago
@kawakocher I've found that if you buy something with a big American V8, it will run forever and if anything does break, it's really cheap to fix. I used to do that, but then gas got expensive so I figured I'd buy a small car to save money on gas. I'll have to drive the Focus for a few more years to make up for all the money I've spent on repairs.
hoohoohoblin 1 month ago
Yep, I dropped the valve in my 93 escort at 140k. It wasn't just the focus that suffered this problem. All of the hemi shaped chv ford engines did this. The valve train was 175 on ebay with a 2 year warranty though. I just replaced the engine though but I don't know the mileage of the engine I got or if has lost it's valve previously, but I like to live on the edge and all. LOL
ACoustaDC 1 month ago
@ACoustaDC I thought about putting a used Ford Focus engine in, but I was afraid I'd have the same problem again really soon. I have total confidence in it now that I know the machinist did the valve seats right.The car has a new clutch and new tires, so I couldn't junk it. I had the starter, water pump, timing belt, tesnsioner, and accessory belt replaced too so it should be like a new car for a few years. I spent as much as the car is worth to fix it, so it better work for a while.
hoohoohoblin 1 month ago