Pistons or gas?

cactugal · 04-18-2008, 06:13 AM

My 95 Escort is knocking, sometimes really loud and other times not so loud. A mechanic told me the cap is off of a valve and being thrown around, making that noise but he wouldn't know for sure until he took it apart. My son said I need to use high octane fuel instead of the cheap stuff I've used forever.

I don't know anything about cars and sure could use some help before I spend $800 to have the engine pulled out.

jonmark1985 · 04-18-2008, 07:03 AM

I'd invest in a mechanic's sethoscope and try to find the sound.

cactugal · 04-18-2008, 08:03 AM

Two mechanics at a shop used a stethescope and heard a "pinging" on #4. At no time did the car knock loudly. The manager said I could keep driving but eventually it will die and I'll have to be towed. I do a lot of freeway driving and don't want it dying on me in the middle of high-speed traffic.

Would you suggest letting them go ahead and fix it or wait it out until something breaks, as another mechanic said?

Otherwise, the car is in very good shape with 112,000 miles on it.

jonmark1985 · 04-18-2008, 08:05 AM

I'd keep going with it, sometimes you can get years out of a car, just keep the oil changed and full, only motorcraft oil and filters and you'll be fine

cactugal · 04-18-2008, 02:16 PM

I want to make sure I understand. Did you mean that I can probably drive it for years without spending $800 to fix what I'm told is a piston problem or I should go ahead and have them take it apart?

I really appreciate your replies.

jonmark1985 · 04-18-2008, 02:42 PM

The Thunderbird I'm driving right now has had a heck of a sound (sounds just like piston slap) for 2 years, ever since I got it. I try to stay good about changing the oil and keeping it at a reasonable level. I don't hot rod around to much in it. So far mechanically the engine keeps going.

For me the car isn't worth swapping the engine, or pulling it out and rebuilding it. I do my own mechanic work, so I don't have to pay anyone, so thats how rough the car is. It's fuel efficent and gets me from point A to point B, so I can't part with it either.

I would put 30w oil in it, a good motorcraft filter, and run it till it starts hammering, when that happens, immediatly shut if off and get it looked at. You might try waking up earlier and taking a slower moving and safer route to work.

When the engine fails have someone pull it out, and it should'nt cost $800 to pull it out, have them evaulate the engine and see what it will take to revive it, it may be $200 or it may be $2000.

cactugal · 04-18-2008, 03:10 PM

Well, it's hammering right now only not all the time. Sometimes it's a soft knock other times it sounds like sombody is pounding on the underside of the hood, passenger side. I'm guessing that if it was a piston problem it would be constant. Am I right?

In any event, I don't have $800.

Thanks again.

robbie jay · 04-18-2008, 05:37 PM

the pinging you hear is most likely a failed number 4 intake valve seat.the 1.9 and 2.0 SOHC engines that are put in the escort and the focus are notorious for that.I have seen them fail anywhere from 99,000 miles to 160,000 miles.the amount of damage can be minimal and repairable or extreem and not repairable.If the rod sepersates from the piston most likely it will put a hole in the sleeve and even the block.pull number 4 plug and you will probably find that it is bent.if you find that it is bent verify that the piston travels up and down if so this is good news as there is not any cylinder damage.if you decide to fix a machine shop can fix that head even if its beat up in the chamber,they will also replace the failed seat.I have some advice here and it comes from experience have the machine shop punch out the remaining three intake valve seats and replace them as well because if you dont you will be doing this agin as most likely number 2 will fail next.I have made a pretty darn good living on the 2.0 SOHC focus/escort engine in the last year and smile when they do come in.I hope this helps you out

jonmark1985 · 04-18-2008, 05:39 PM

A piston noise will usually become alot quieter when the engine warms up.

cactugal · 04-18-2008, 06:00 PM

Thank you both. Actually, sometimes the knocking gets louder when I'm slowing down or idling and the car has been driven for a while. Sometimes it gets quieter after driving and sometimes there is no noise at all. Then it's like waiting for the other shoe to drop.

I took it to the mechanic a few days ago and there was total silence. I drove about a mile down the road and it started knocking. I went into a park where there are speed bumps and slowed down for each one. The knocking was even louder before I drove over it then stopped as I accelerated slightly.

I'll definitely tell the mechanic about taking out the other valve seats if he has to remove #4.