IguanaGrrl

I have a 2000 Escort ZX2 manual transmission that did wonderfully for many years, but seems to be having issues since I hit the 100,000 mile marker a year and a half ago. I've replaced the alternator, serpentine belt, drive belt, and thermostat and now I'm having troubles once again.

About a week ago, while driving me to work, my boyfriend exited the freeway and the car died out of nowhere. No sputtering, just like the engine decided to turn itself off. He pulled off the side of the road and was able to start right up again with no difficulties. The rest of the drive was uneventful.

On random occasions, we have noticed sputtering issues. While stopped, the idle will drop almost to a point of the car dying, but it never does.

This morning, nearly a week since the last episode, the car died while I was going onto an on-ramp. Again, I pulled off to the side of the road and started it right back up again. The majority of the rest of the ride was smooth, though I experienced some sputters.

Originally, we thought it might be an issue with the plugs, but now we're leaning towards fuel problems. Should I go for a fuel filter change first or a tune up? What about fuel systems flush?

Or should I buy the parts and do it on my own?

Money is, unfortunately, an issue, so cheap and easy is king here.

lildink

I have the same car, and that is normal with an escort, mine is a little more advanced though, and yours wil probably get worse to the point of dying at nearly every stop light, putting it in nuetral when coming to a stop helps, and once it gets really bad you may have to put it in neutral and keep your foot lightly on the gas while holding the brake just to keep it around 1000 rpms. I was just driving down a long curvey road the other day down a hill and it died in the middle of the hill (the power steering goes out too) so try to get it fixed before taht. we might be changing the fuel pump son so I'll let you know if that works. I've researched it a little, and I've heard many different things that could work, just depends i guess. some people havesaid the tps (throttle position sensor) um, if your car kinda vibrates that would probably be the transmission mount because fords transmission mounts were poorly made. i guess if your car isn't getting enough gas and it's not the fuel pump it's possible it could be the fuel lines or the fuel filter, but I doubt it would be the filter. my brother and I changed the fuel filter, air filter, spark plugs, changed the oil, and cleaned the fuel injector recently but none of that helped.

Sterling_Six

Hello and good day to you:

May I ask a few Question First???

1. When was......the last time you Replace the Fuel Filter?? (Recommended every 60K)
2. Have you ever put a Good Fuel Injector Cleaner in the Tank?? (Recommended at least twice a year)
3.Now the Big Question??? When this Happens can you restart your car?? Does it Crank over just Fine but won't start???
4.Do you have a CEL (check engine light) on???

Please advise further....thk you

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Good Luck and good repairing Sterling_6