Hi,
Hope you can help. I have a 1992 Ford Escort 1.6 LX (80,000 miles).
Engine was misfiring a bit - especially in the wet, but running OK generally, still I thought I'd mess with it!
I changed the spark plugs and leads, cleaned the distributor cap & sprayed it with WD40 - it does look a bit worn and slight cracks by the screws but looks ok. I also took the cover off the air filter - It is dirty and I definitely need to change the paper element.
The problem is that after my 'repairs', the car doesn't work! It is very hard to start, and coughs and splutters. When I finally do manage to start it, it won't idle without help ie. me keeping my foot on the accelerator.
I even tried putting the old plugs and leads back on but no change.
Unfortunately I didn't try to start the engine between changing the plugs and leads and removing the air filter - so I don't know which one caused the problem!
Am thinking I might have knocked a lead out of place by accident / created a leak on a vacuum lead.
I also tried taking off the air filter and starting it - it did start a bit easier and idle a little bit - but maybe this was because the engine was a bit warmer?
Please help! It is driving me crazy! How could something have gone wrong!?
Hope you can help. I have a 1992 Ford Escort 1.6 LX (80,000 miles).
Engine was misfiring a bit - especially in the wet, but running OK generally, still I thought I'd mess with it!
I changed the spark plugs and leads, cleaned the distributor cap & sprayed it with WD40 - it does look a bit worn and slight cracks by the screws but looks ok. I also took the cover off the air filter - It is dirty and I definitely need to change the paper element.
The problem is that after my 'repairs', the car doesn't work! It is very hard to start, and coughs and splutters. When I finally do manage to start it, it won't idle without help ie. me keeping my foot on the accelerator.
I even tried putting the old plugs and leads back on but no change.
Unfortunately I didn't try to start the engine between changing the plugs and leads and removing the air filter - so I don't know which one caused the problem!
Am thinking I might have knocked a lead out of place by accident / created a leak on a vacuum lead.
I also tried taking off the air filter and starting it - it did start a bit easier and idle a little bit - but maybe this was because the engine was a bit warmer?
Please help! It is driving me crazy! How could something have gone wrong!?
Nov 25, 2006 at 11:22 AM