97 Escort died now wont start

heinzboz · 08-04-2008, 10:23 PM

97 Escort, 2.0 SOHC. I was driving home the other day and the car started bucking and cutting out then died. It will only start if I hold the gas to the floor, and then it will start and run rough if I keep it around 2000-3000 rpm's. It kind of makes a knocking sound as well, and it will not idle at all. So far I've replaced the cam sensor, crank sensor, coolant temp sensor. The timing belt is only about 5 months old. I'm getting spark out of the coil, and getting 40 psi at the fuel pressure regulator. IAC valve tested good. Anybody have suggestions where to look next? Could a bad O2 sensor or throttle position sensor cause this?

P.S. Its not giving me any codes either, which really helps me narrow things down!!

ZX2Fast · 08-05-2008, 05:30 PM

You need to verify the timing is still set dead-on. New parts can fail and incorrectly installed new parts fail often.

heinzboz · 08-05-2008, 07:31 PM

Whats the best way to check the timing. Do I just check that the timing marks are still lined up on the crank and cam pulleys?

ZX2Fast · 08-06-2008, 01:01 AM

If you have marks, then yes. I'm a bit hazy on the SPI since I have the Zetec.

heinzboz · 08-06-2008, 01:53 PM

Everything still looks good as far as the timing. I pulled the timing cover and the belt still looks good, good tension, marks all line up. I guess I might try and test or just replace the TPS and see if that helps. Could the CCRM cause any of these problems?

ZX2Fast · 08-06-2008, 10:31 PM

Yes, it could. Is your SES light coming on when you turn the key on? It should also flash once when you first turn the key on to indicate it signaled the fuel pump. Make sure your fuel pump is running. One easy way to tell if the issue is fuel or spark related is to spray some starting fluid in the throttle body and see if the car starts. If it does then the issue is fuel, if not then the issue is spark or otherwise electrical.

heinzboz · 08-07-2008, 10:44 AM

If you look back at the original post, I'm getting fuel and spark. The car will start, but I have to hold the throttle to the floor to get it to start and stay running.

ZX2Fast · 08-11-2008, 01:42 AM

Can you get it to idle long enough to check the vaccum with a gauge? It might have jumped time or have a massive vaccum leak. There is always the chance you have dropped or damaged a valve.

heinzboz · 08-13-2008, 10:50 AM

it will idle, but very rough. it smooths out around 2000 rpm's. I hooked my scanner up to it and was looking at the live data, and the timing was showing around 25 degrees advanced at idle, and about 45 degrees advance at 2500 rpm's!! I'm wondering if the computer is whacking out and has the tiiming all screwed up. How do engines jump time, and how easily is that fixed if it isn't the computer?

ZX2Fast · 08-13-2008, 10:03 PM

The only way it can physically jump time is on the belt. The spark timing is electronically controlled via the PCM. But, if it physically jumps time the PCM won't know this and you would get strange timing readings. You really need to verify that the physical timing is set. You have to lock the cams in and then make sure the crank mark is lined up.