I have a 2001 ford escape with a check engine light. Code says cylinder #6 has failed. Rebuild engine?

Question

Ford service technician indicated that my check engine light indicates that cyl #6 has failed. It appears my choices are rebuild the engine for $2000 or go for a new engine for $3000. Any opinions on this? Do I have any other choices? I hate to put this kind of money into the vehicle with 120,000 miles.

This is exactly what the Ford Tech wrote: Retrieved code for cyl 6 misfire. Tech performed pinpoint tests. Fuel and spark good on all cylinders. Tech performed relative power balance test. Cyl 6 loosing compression. Tech believes failed valve. More time would be required to disassemble engine and inspect head for failure and possible damage. I received a quote of $1700 to dissassemble the engine to check for the problem. I received another quote from another Ford dealer to install rebuilt engine for $2500-$3000. Any suggestions?

Also, the car runs rough when it idles and when the rpms are low (below 2500). When i am driving up a hill, and the rpms go higher than 2500, it runs smoother.

Answer 1

First off, your problem is very likely quite minor so don't panic. But, before I address it, I'd like to address some of the idiots who responded first because people that answer questions purely talking out of their butt really irritate me.

Ringer is a moron. You don't tell someone to just take a spark plug out and hold it to the engine while someonje cranks. Later model HEI vehicles can generate up to 40,000 volts. Don't even think about the injury you can get from such a shock, but even if you're suicidal, think also of what that kind of voltage might do to nearby electricals not to mention the damage to the ignition coil itself.
Motergrad is a numbskull too. You don't go to a shop and ask for new cylinder heads. You diagnose the problem, and then do repairs based on the diagnosis. Even if you're an idiot like moterhead, you would at least think to start with least expensive parts and work up.

Now, that said, your best advice is from AWDTSI91. It is clear that you have a misfire in the #6 cylinder and in fact your description of the idle and everything substantiates it very strongly. The question is why... and that's why you need a good technician. The causes of misfire can be either from low compression, no or low fuel, no or low spark, improper fuel mixture.... yada yada yada. Basically is can be anything from a busted valve to a bad fuel injector to a bad spark plug or wire and anything in between. Even a vacuum leak (especially at intake manifold) can cause the problem (causes a lean mixture and the cylinder affected by the leak won't fire).

Take the car to another shop or dealer and I bet a competent mech can diagnose why it's misfiring- and further, I strongly bet it's going to be minor.

Answer 2

did he indicate a cylinder misfire or what? there is no such code: "cylinder 6 has failed". the code is probably a P0306. which would be a misfire code, which can be fuel, air (compression), or a spark related issue. I'm a mechanic and I would recommend you get a second opinion! an addition I would get cylinder laek down test performed, which brings the cylinder #6 to top dead center and seals the valves. the test will conclude if the valves are sealing or inf the piston rings are worn. also have them put a little bit of oil in the cylinder the second time around to ensure in rings are worn.

Answer 3

I think your are being taken for a ride by your tech.

Take the vehicle to a smaller shop that has a scanner. They should probably be a little more accurate in their diagnosis. Next time ask for the code that they retrieved from the vehicle and post it too, I can tell you what the code means. I think they mean that cyl. 6 is not firing, that doesn't mean you have to replace the engine.

Answer 4

In a 2001? Bull Pucky! and in only ONE cylinder? More Bull Pucky!

You have perhaps a bad spark wire, or a spark plug - something that would only affect that one cylinder. No need to buy a whole engine for just that.

Answer 5

I would check the spark-plug first, then the wire connections. Pull the plug out completely and hold it to metal while someone turns the engine over. If it sparks, one less problem.

Answer 6

STOP blaming one another. The simple fact is clear. The diag is incomplete. The tests have not all been run. The conclusion keeps getting jumped to. The parts cost is preventing it. People are trying to guess because they dont have the vehicle where they are to test. You can complete the compression test, the injector test, and the spark verification. you can then leakdown the cylinder and decide what valve to blame. you can inspect the valves with a search on the boroscope. You can get a used head and throw it on if cost is the reason it has not been fixed yet.

cost prohibitive issue. money makes you tear each other up.
There were head castings in use that had more meat in the combustion chamber. this is why i suggest a used head, or set of heads after all the tests indicate it to be necessary.

Answer 7

SOO.......
intelliget :does not likes Fords.

I'm not too far from him.

beside, is the first time I hear someone gonna change the engine because a faulty spark plug.

Answer 8

Dealers are a rip off....Go to a reputable small shop mechanic and tell them you need a set of heads put on it. Its cheaper and 120 miles arent alot really.

Answer 9

Have a non ford service technician check it out. Probably code is in error and you can just clear code and go. Fords are inheriently unstable and innefficient. Cheap cars have to be poorly made with inferior parts and procedures to be cheap. Union wages have made so called "American" cars pieces of trash. Ford is in danger of going broke because of cheap product at inexpensive prices. Problem is that cheap catches up with you.

Answer 10

Cylinder has failed? In what way? Spark plug.... compression? I would have to see that to believe it myself...