2001 Escape Running rough

[Coach]

I have a 2001 Ford Escape and have the same problems that some of you have had. Starts to run a bit rough, engine light goes on, then gets worse, awful to start in the morning. The first garage I went to put it through the computer and replaced the plugs, installed new PCV hose and valve. It worked for a day or so. Then the whole thing started again. Took it back and they replaced bad coil and injector and installed new wire from computer to wire connector at intake manifold. It worked for a week the the same things started to happen. I took it to another garage that I trusted more, because the first guys just couln't seem to figure out the problem. The second garage
replaced the MAF air flow sensor. Worked for a few days and now starting is insane, but once it gets going it seems to run fairly well, but it does miss once in a while. I'm $800 into this and no one seems to have the answer. Maybe Ford should investigate!!!!It finally won't start and I'm having towed to the second garage tomorrow morning. OUCH!!!!!!

[fish321]

I've got the same problem. Our 2001 Escape has 55,000 miles and about a month ago as the weather started getting colder here in MN I started having these cold start up problems. It dies out ,you have to keep gunning the engine till the car warms up,then it gets better. It did this for quite a while without any engine light on. So far,and 3 trips to the shop I've changed the IAC valve, air filter, all 6 plugs and the problem is still occuring. When the warning light finally went on, the mechanic got a read on the 5 and 6 cylinder missfiring, he got normal ohm readings on the coils and tried switching the coils on those. The result is that it takes about 5 minutes for the engine to stablize now ,better than it was but far less than it should. Before I invest in 6 new coils I want to make d@#n sure this will solve it. This is getting expensive and the process of replacing one part each visit to the shop is getting real aggrevating and costly. I hope every one keeps posting on this because it seems this is a becoming a common problem. I'm hoping some Ford enginner is reading this and can figure this out.

[jeffhockeynut]

I have a 2001 Escape 3.1 V6 that is having a similar issue. Starts fine when cold, but idles extremely rough and will stall out most of the time. If given gas until warmed up, the engine runs much better, but still uses more fuel than normal. I have read many posts and found several that say similar problems caused by intake manifold gasket leak.

[deimos]

Have you guys pulled codes on your escapes? I would check and see if its sending a misfire code, also have you got your PCM reprogrammed?

[jeffhockeynut]

Just wanted to give you guys more info, Escape is now running rougher. I replaced one of the vapor recovery tubes coming of the far right connection in the center of the air intake manifold. I read that the old tubes would collapse and choke off vapor recovery. This made the problem worse not better. I have also noticed that with the cold starts in the morning, their is a significant tapping - low oil noise. I've checked the oil level and shes full, but I think that the bad gasket is causing the compression to fail when the engine cools and the air is leaking in and the oil is draining down to the pan. I am going to replace the upper and lower intake gaskets, and possibly the plugs and coils while I have the manifold off. I will let you know if it solves the issue.

[joshpackerfan]

Some of the same problems
I have a 2001 escape i had a valve replaced because of the same problems. Then it was starting hard again it goes back in in two days for a valve cover gasket.. completly free thank god. i think they have week cam lobes..which should be a recall.. totally replaced.

[Jimbearsfan]

Similiar Problem with my 2002 Escape.
On certain days, usually when it is raining or snowing out m ycar runs really rough. but bye the time I usually get to work, 30 minutes, it is running fine or at least much better. Runs like my snow blower when I leave the choke on. Dealer has no clue even with the codes. I'm ready to run this thing into a wall. of course it never runs bad for the dealer.
Oh what is a PCM, sorry not a car guy...

[ccasey61]

I'm experienced this same problem. I've visited countless other sites trying to diagnose what's going on but there just doesn't seem to be one definitive answer. I agree that Ford does need to look at this issue. I'm will to do my part if someone wants to point me in the right direction. I just fear Ford Corporate is going to ignore any complaints sent their way.

But it is incredibly aggravating having a vehicle that runs so shitty. And like many, I don't have the money to try every single remedy suggested by others experiencing the same symptoms.

[deimos]

Most of the time when owner's of escapes have trouble with their vehicle running correctly in wet weather is because either there is water in or on a ignition "coil" pack, or their PCM (Power Control Module) is wet as well due to a bad seal or because it needs to be reprogrammed (which ford has announced a recall on). I already went through all of this on my escape i replaced a coil pack and had all the other coil pack's spark tested and then i had to get my catalytic converter replaced as well due to all the misfiring that had occurred during the process. The most common code that occurs during this process is a P040x x-1234 last number is whichever cylinder is not firing correctly.

[Twat]

I have a 2001 escape with 150,000 miles that has been running rough when first started. Recently, while changing the plugs, I noticed arcing from at the point where the spring from the coil pack attaches to the spark plug. Looking at this a little closer and it appeats (at least to me) that the spring has streached so that it is not making good contact with plug. I do not have a good solution for this yet. Will be looking for any suggestion.