Mate has an Escort 1.6i zetec 1996 P and he has the following problems :

My fuel economy is right down (20 to 25 % down). Had new air
filter, plugs, oil filter, oil change - still the same. The new plugs have
become coated very quickly, even after a few hundred miles. Car sometimes feels that it is going to cut out at a junction. Wouldn't start last night - but eventually did after much effort.

Firstly, anyone know the proper plug gaps and secondly I told him it maybe a crankshaft sensor as they seem to go on zetecs and cause running problems.


Any ideas guys ?

TIA

Chris

 

O2 sensor? You'd get those symptoms from a faulty one.

 

Try some plug leads, put Ford ones on, they're expensive but others, even Bosch just don't cut it on zetecs for some reason

Failing that, try a compression check, zetecs also sometimes like to burn valves out, my dad's has done two! Is his using oil?

I'd say the leads are the best shot though, good luck, let us know what you find

 

It could be anything on those things to be honest, as those zetec are real pain.

But if your car is spluttering as you pull up to a junction - especially cold. It points to the oxygen sensor (or HEGO sensor as ford sometimes like to call it).

Also if you get random loss of power it will be the O2 sensor as the ECU has a habit of running off it whilst it's still faulty - then sunddenly realises it's kanckered and then switches to default values and then car runs fine!

I would, in addition strongly reccomend changing the plug leads on a zetec of that age as they are a load of crap - check for signs of arching on the base of the old spark plugs.

The starting problem can be a seperate issue, the EECIV ECU has a habit of flooding the engine. But it can be made alot worse by the above fault. If it happens, FULLY floor the throttle, then reduce to between 1/4 and 1/2 after approx 5 seconds of cranking.