1998 Ford Escort Car cranks over but won't start

BLUWOLFF

MEMBER
1998 FORD ESCORT

Electrical problem
1998 Ford Escort 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

My son has a 1998 Ford Escort 4 door, He was driving down a dirt road, he went through a mud puddle
( at least 1 foot deep ) at about 15 MPH
The car just died in the middle of the puddle. It never had any problems before this, and was a great running car. It cranks over like it wants to start, but just can't seem to get there. We have removed all the spark plugs and cleaned and replaced them, We have replaced the spark plug wires, Put HEET in the gas tank. And nothing. When you crank it over you can smell weak watery gas. It does not have a digital multi meter. Can you please help? My son is devastated. Thank you.

1 Reply

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Do below to determine if its fuel or spark problem

Get a helper disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine atleast 3/16 away from ground-have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, coil's resistances, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors and computer Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it