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1998 Ford Escort Wagon 92k mil. Surge at idle

Tiny
LILYBITT
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 FORD ESCORT
Just purch. This vehicle. Serv. Engine soon light is on solid, not flashing. Was told it was due to low quality fuel or needed oil chg. If read manual correctly, doesn't seem like something I need to rush on normally.

However, when I'm stopped, idling, hear a small click then what sounds like an engine surge. It's perfectly rythmic. Makes the sound for a few sec, then stop, then click then sound again.

I admit to knowing not much about cars or car care but do want to learn. Need to keep this vehicle on the road for at least another yr. With as little $ as possible.
Thanks!
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Tuesday, December 5th, 2006 AT 6:34 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
WYNRYPEN
  • MEMBER
  • 52 POSTS
Start with the basics, does it have fuel? Is there a spark? Start off by doing an compression test.
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Thursday, December 7th, 2006 AT 1:31 PM
Tiny
BRUCE HUNT
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,754 POSTS
Take some time to purge the cooling system of air. Then check for any vacuum leaks. Surging of an engine is caused because a sensor is unable to work or sense properly and thus is screws with the processing of the computer to regulate fuel flow.

Idle air control valve could be dirty. Intake could have a minor leak, vac leak, etc.
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Thursday, December 7th, 2006 AT 1:35 PM
Tiny
LILYBITT
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Has Fuel, don't know what a compression test is
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Thursday, December 7th, 2006 AT 1:36 PM

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