My Ford Escort is having problems....?

Question

My Ford escort is a 2002 or 2004. It has 197,000 miles so I do understand it is goign to have some problems. Well, my car shakes really bad, and it shakes REALLY bad when I'm at idle at a stoplight in Drive. WHen I put it into park, it stops some. It shakes even worse when I turn on the heat and AC. What i mean by shake, is that it seems that the engine is shaking badly and like, my steering wheel and whole front end just vibrates. My service engine soon light came on a week and half ago, I took it in and the dude replaced my fuel filter. It seemed to not shake as bad right after, but then slowly through the week it shook more and more and now my light is on again! Anybody know what could be causing this? So far my mechanic isnt finding the real problem!!!

Answer 1

It sounds to me that you have more than one problem. Firstly, I would check your motor mounts and your transmission mounts. At this mileage it would be pretty normal to find at least one of them broken. This would account for the excessive body vibrations. Secondly, it sounds like either your PCV system needs attention (if it is leaking it affects idle speeds), or your idle air control valve is sticking up and needs to be cleaned. Also at this mileage I would be willing to bet that your engine needs to be de-sludged a little bit to remove older oil deposits that may be keeping your engine off balance. Also, I would check to see if there are any vacuum leaks around the throttle body or where the injector seals are. When you put on the AC, the computer tells the idle air control valve to raise the engine RPM's to offset the strain of the AC compressor. If the control valve is jammed up, it can't do it's job. Start with an engine shampooing at a do-it-youself car wash so you at least see things clearly. Then, with the engine running, spray some Gum-out around the injectors, manifold and throttle body to find any leaks. When you find a trouble spot, the engine RPM's will change. Unless your car is fuming smoke out the tailpipe, you probably still have some miles left to drive on it. The Escort engine was built plenty tough. The service engine light usually comes on if an engine sensor is acting up. Most of the chain auto parts stores will be happy to retrieve trouble codes from your car's computer system, for nothing. These codes can point the way to the real cause of your troubles. Good Luck!!!

Answer 2

I would start with a tune up. Change the spark plugs, the PCV valve, and the air filter. You already got the fuel filter.

Check for a vacuum leak. Make sure all vacuum hoses are attached. I would bet this is your problem.

Worst case scenario, you have one or more bad fuel injectors. These are easy to replace, but are pretty expensive.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

you have a lot and a LOT of bad things right there, start with a massive tune up, fix the service light issue and if nothing of that helps you may have the crank shaft pulley gone, that thing make the engine dont run smooth and shakes the whole car up, also vibration are caused by bad motor mounts and bad cooling fans can make that too

so get your wallet ready because it could cost you (in really bad conditions) up to 1500

so dont cry now because if you dont follow a good mantenience schedule nothing of these will happens

Answer 4

Sounds like motor mounts.

Answer 5

I think it's maybe time for a new car! get rid of it before it costs you even more ££££

Answer 6

Be happy it made it this long. Trade it in

Answer 7

i think its a bad transmission but on the other end look what it is that should tell you something....FORD
FOUND
ON
ROAD
DEAD

GET A DODGE THEY LAST LONGER AND ARE BETTER TO DRIVE..