95escort

Hi all.

Im about to pick up a 95 escort 1.9 liter 5spd 70,000 miles.

Im new to the Ford cars. Never owned one.
Questions are:
How reliable is the escort?
Mazda makes the engine, are they any good? Do they tend to use oil?
Who makes the 5spd tranny?
Any red flags that I should look for on the vehicle? I did not see any rust on the vehicle.

95escort

Is this a non interference engine?
When changing the timing belt is there any special tools needed?

Johnny Mullet

Not a bad little car, but you need to watch for these common problems..........

Oil leaks (oil pan/valve cover/head)
Exhaust leaks (usually flex pipe rots out)
Rear coil springs (broken)
Rear control arms (rot out around mount)

Non interference engine. Trannys usually good and the 1.9L will last if maintained.

95escort

How are the head gaskets on the 1.9ltr? Do they go often?

Johnny Mullet

If your's has been done already, then it will be OK.

95escort

I have been driving the car for a few days. I notice when Im shifting the front end goes left everytime I shift. My guess is motor mounts?

Johnny Mullet

You can easily tell if the mounts are bad by watching the engine with an assistant power-braking the vehicle in forward and reverse.