Ford Escort XP2 Engine Vibration

**Cooter** · 08-25-2010, 08:47 PM

My daughter has one of these, and it's a cool little car with a DOHC 4-cylinder that has a lot of power. It also gets about 40mpg which is great. However, the thing vibrates when idling in gear and more so with the A/C on. She had the motor mounts replaced and we have had the belt tensioner replaced, but it still does it.

Any insights into why this happens? I tuned it up and it's running well once off-idle.

thanks,
Cooter

**oldgreykaw** · 08-26-2010, 12:31 PM

In all likelyhood Cooter the timing belt tensioner and pulleys are worn. We call that engine the: Zetec. It does have quite a bit of power (They even use it in some of the Lotus Seven style kit cars). We replace the pulleys and the tensioner whenever we do a timing belt on these engines. You have to have the "ford cam tools" to do the job right also.
Good luck with it.

**Cooter** · 08-27-2010, 07:22 AM

Is there a way to tell if this is bad, like taking off an inspection cover? Also, would you think this is something for a Ford garage versus an independent?

thanks,
Cooter

**oldgreykaw** · 08-27-2010, 08:00 AM

You should be able to remove the upper timing cover with just a few bolts. The belt should be tight between the two pulleys. If there is more than a 1/4" of play you should have the job done. Ford recommends it be replaced at 120,000 miles. Any reputable independant shop should be able to do the job. If you don't have a shop you regularly use go to the Better Business Bureau website and do a search, Ask your friends who they use. Also you can go to www.iatn.net and do a search for a local shop. The iatn is a website technicians use to share information about car problems outside the ordinary.

**Cooter** · 08-27-2010, 08:48 AM

Looks like I'll be doing that tonight. My local shop says that's not what is causing the engine vibration, but I can see that it's a possibility. thanks much!

**oldgreykaw** · 08-27-2010, 11:35 AM

Yeah, I have run into plenty of techs in my life who would say that about a myriad of things (That CAN'T be the problem). I just smile and tell them to go on and diagnose it themselves. More often than not they will prove me right. I've spent 22 years working on cars and we run into something new every week if not daily. I won't rule something out just because I haven't seen it before.

BB · 08-27-2010, 11:58 PM

I would still look at the motor mounts again. Make sure they replaced all of the motor mounts. Its easy to check and doesn't cost anything. Have some one put the car in gear make sure they know to apply brakes and while standing beside the car not in front of the car have them give it a little gas. Look to see how much and how fast the engine shifts. Good Luck.BB

77cb500 · 10-30-2010, 03:22 PM

Hello,
I read your answers, and you sound pretty knowledgeable, maybe you can help.

I have a new problem on my 93 escort, (5 speed manual) where there is a feel almost like the front brakes are 'stuck', (they're not) and/or the front wheels seem 'stiff' when accelerating from a stop, or under load, accompanied by a very low frequency 'hum' but it's only when in gear, while accelerating or under torque, like going uphill. Particularly bad when going uphill, while making a sharp turn. The vibration stops as soon as car is out of gear

Leaving my parents house today, up a steep hill, it was pretty bad, until I got to the downhill side, The car starts, runs great, and everything is normal when in neutral, or when up to speed, but I'm afraid something is going to go out on me soon. Car has at least 148,000 miles on it.

When in neutral, coasting, on level ground at speed, the vibration, and low noise, aren't there, which seems to rule out the CV joints, and I'm wondering if the ring gear or something in the transmission is bad.

My speedometer also just quit working a few weeks before this occurred. It also needs a new clutch master cylinder, which has a slow leak, but I keep this checked.

Thanks in advance,
Tom in Oregon

Originally Posted by oldgreykaw

In all likelyhood Cooter the timing belt tensioner and pulleys are worn. We call that engine the: Zetec. It does have quite a bit of power (They even use it in some of the Lotus Seven style kit cars). We replace the pulleys and the tensioner whenever we do a timing belt on these engines. You have to have the "ford cam tools" to do the job right also.
Good luck with it.

**jimmymac** · 10-30-2010, 03:49 PM

Welcome to the site, Homie.

**Danno** · 10-31-2010, 08:07 PM

Looks like the Googlebot is drawing posters from far afield. Hopefully no regular member will ask personal relationship advice or every "Dear Abby" reject will be filling this place with their drivel.

Maybe Sam and Jimmy can start a thread for automotive advice like the Magliozzi Bros.-insult each other and give sage but good-humored answers to folks keeping their old cars running.