1986 Escort 2bbl runs then stalls

RUSTYBOB11

MEMBER
1986 FORD ESCORT

My friend has a 1985 1/2 (1986) Escort Wagon. 1.9L 2bbl Automatic with 60,000 miles. She has owned it for 6 months: it starts well and idles well. Right now there is a large dead spot where it barely runs from 1,000 to 2,000 RPM. It starts running decently again from about 2,200 RPM on up.

Her biggest problem is that it is driveable for 10-15 minutes and then it dies and won't start. Parts replaced are fuel pump, fuel filters, and the dreaded TFI Ignition module. The pickup tube in the gas tank was also replaced.

I pulled and cleaned the spark plugs, the distributor cap and rotor and inspected the wires. Compression seems OK over 115PSI with the engine cold at 5500 feet. The timing belt seems healthy and tight. I checked ignition timing with vacuum diconnected; it was right on 10 degrees BTDC. I used my fuel and vacuum tester: fuel pressure was 4.7 PSI. Correct.

WHEN I CHECKED THE IGNITION TIMING I MEASURED VACUUM TO THE DISTRIBUTOR: 0 PSI.
The engine was likely about 100F due to the air temperature. It had only idled a few minutes.
I'm theorizing the lack of vacuum kills distributor vacuum advance and makes the engine struggle to accelerate.

We thought the stalling might be a fuel problem and ran a 4 gas to 1 B-12 solution through the carb.

I lowered the catalytic converter but we haven't done a 15 minute road test to see it that helps.

Thanks for any help. This extended frustration has both of us at the end of our patience. And we are no longer really friends.
Bob Rust Albuquerque, NM 95F and thin air during July

1 Reply

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Duplicate the problem when it dies immediately look for spark-do you have it.

Have you tested the coil and the magnetic pick-up in the distributor.

As for the vacuum at the distributor- you should have zero vac when engine is idling-when you start pulling on the trhottle it will gradually apply vacuum to the canister It is operated by ported vacuum-a vacuum above the throttle plate. 3-types of vacuum 1. Intake manifold 2. Ported 3. Venturi

The Cat disconnect the exhaust pipe at the exhaust manifold-now test it -when that rpm zips up w/o hesistation you have bad Cat and we're not talking about Felix.

Remove the aircleaner look down on the carb 's throat-snap the throttle back do you see a stream of gas shooting out of the Acc. Pump nozzle

At the main nozzle of the carb is it dripping fuel.

Using B-12 could clog up the idle and metering circuit.

If igniton parts checks out-concentrate on the carb-your pressure is okay.