Not good at turning a wrench!

[caster27]

Female with car problems. A guys nightmare right, please help. 02 Ford Escort stalled out and wouldn't start. It's trying to turn over but wont fire. Fuel pump turns on, gas in line at the filter. It's getting spark. Spark plugs have gas on them so I'm assume it's getting gas. The timing belt is fine. Some one told me that it maybe the mass air flow sensor. Said you could bypass it to test it by taking the plugs off the intake tube, that it would start for only a minute if it was fine. If not it wouldn't start. It didn't start. Can someone tell me if this is true and give me your thoughts please. Any direction from here is greatly appreciated. Thanks much!!

[theoldwizard]

It takes 3 things to make an engine run, fuel, spark and air. You say you have the first 2, but do you have the third ?

While cranking start pressing down on the accelerator pedal until it is all the way down. Hold it there and crank again. It this works, your Idle Air Bypass Valve is gummed up or dead.

BTW, gas on the plugs is not good. It is possible that enough gas will make them not fire at all, but most modern ignition systems have enough voltage that this does not happen often.

Also, look for the schrader valve on the fuel rail. Simply depressing the needle will show if you have fuel and is much easier than crawling under the car.

When was the last time it had a tune up including changing the air and fuel filters ?

(For the "picky people", fuel, spark and air all have to be there at the correct time ! Long shot, but your timing belt could have slipped.)

[caster27]

The plugs aren't actually wet. I guess I don't know how to explain it. Thank you very much for your advice. I'm certainly going to use it.

[ZX2Fast]

Even a 10 psi drop in fuel pressure can keep a car from starting. If the fuel filter is more then 2 years old it should be replaced. If the car is not firing in time it won't start. Pull the upper dust cover off and see if the timing belt is still on and tight.