Footballjoe Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 (edited) Life kicked me in the groin again. Our 1995 Ford Escort (4 cylinder) cut off while going up the on ramp to the interstate. Got it towed home. I checked for fire and have it at the 1-3 and 4 plugs. I could not get the 2 plug wire loose but I did not try real hard. The 1 plug wire wore me out. I then disconnected a fuel line and that is good. Engine turns over but will not start. I am thinking timing belt. If so, how much for a shop to do it. Thanks Edited November 17, 2009 by Footballjoe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buddahj Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 $200 - $300 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbimm Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 The distributor runs off of the camshaft and if you have spark then the belt is still intact. To clarify if you have spark on more then one cylinder which you say you have. This does not mean the belt didn't jump a few teeth but that is kinda rare. Pull all 4 plugs and install 4 fresh ones. Again try to start the engine for a period of time. If no start then pull at least one of them back out. Can you smell fuel or see that the plugs are wet? The older Ford ignition modules are famous for failure and can cost you spark and or fuel. Also check to see if there are any blown fuses. There are several that will effect injector pulse. As far as price on the belt? $300 would be on the low end is my guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thews40 Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 Life kicked me in the groin again. Our 1995 Ford Escort (4 cylinder) cut off while going up the on ramp to the interstate. Got it towed home. I checked for fire and have it at the 1-3 and 4 plugs. I could not get the 2 plug wire loose but I did not try real hard. The 1 plug wire wore me out. I then disconnected a fuel line and that is good. Engine turns over but will not start. I am thinking timing belt. If so, how much for a shop to do it. Thanks I had a Ford Explorer that would quit running and start again 15 minutes later. Found out a relay was bad. Couldn't hurt... open the relay box and swap the ones that are the same, and tap on all of them (may knock a contact loose). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbimm Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 I am always curious how these things turn out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulzale Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 The distributor runs off of the camshaft and if you have spark then the belt is still intact. To clarify if you have spark on more then one cylinder which you say you have. This does not mean the belt didn't jump a few teeth but that is kinda rare. Pull all 4 plugs and install 4 fresh ones. Again try to start the engine for a period of time. If no start then pull at least one of them back out. Can you smell fuel or see that the plugs are wet? The older Ford ignition modules are famous for failure and can cost you spark and or fuel. Also check to see if there are any blown fuses. There are several that will effect injector pulse. As far as price on the belt? $300 would be on the low end is my guess. Good news as if the belt broke, you would likely have more damage to the valves/pistons and a simple belt change would not have been adequate unless you were very lucky! Does it sound like it wants to start? Battery/Alternator working, is the car cranking over fast enough to start? If you have fuel and spark, it would lead me to something electronic or a sensor. Post what you find, so I can satisfy my curiosity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buddahj Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 Good news as if the belt broke, you would likely have more damage to the valves/pistons and a simple belt change would not have been adequate unless you were very lucky! Does it sound like it wants to start? Battery/Alternator working, is the car cranking over fast enough to start? If you have fuel and spark, it would lead me to something electronic or a sensor. Post what you find, so I can satisfy my curiosity. it's not an interference motor so if the belt breaks it won't do internal engine damage. an out of time crank is very distinctive sound. it almost sounds "sick". like it just isn't right. i'd know if i heard it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Footballjoe Posted November 20, 2009 Author Share Posted November 20, 2009 Replaced the plugs and pulled the ignition module and took it to Auto Zone and it test good. They told me about some other causes but I did not have the time or knowledge to go any further. Had it towed to my mechanic about 2 hours ago. He will find the problem and call me. Thanks for your help. I will let you know what the problem when I get it back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buddahj Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 cool...good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Footballjoe Posted November 23, 2009 Author Share Posted November 23, 2009 Just got my car back. It was the timing belt that had broke. The cost was $200 for the replacement. I think it cost much less than mentioned because I know someone who has a shop thats not in the best areas in town. However, he is a good mechanic and can be trusted, The other shop I go to sometimes is very good too but has a nicer looking place and cost much more. BTW I asked about why I was getting spark if the timing belt was broke. I totally forgot his explanation but I am sure one of the mechanics can look it up and explain why. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buddahj Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 Just got my car back. It was the timing belt that had broke. The cost was $200 for the replacement. I think it cost much less than mentioned because I know someone who has a shop thats not in the best areas in town. However, he is a good mechanic and can be trusted, The other shop I go to sometimes is very good too but has a nicer looking place and cost much more. BTW I asked about why I was getting spark if the timing belt was broke. I totally forgot his explanation but I am sure one of the mechanics can look it up and explain why. the timing belt effects the compression. a vehicle requires spark, fuel & compression to run. you weren't getting compression @ the right time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westvirginia Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 the timing belt effects the compression. a vehicle requires spark, fuel & compression to run. you weren't getting compression @ the right time. It's amazing that cars befuddle people so badly when it really is as simple as you put it above. But good on Football joe for seeming to understand and trouble-shooting to at least know he was getting spark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Footballjoe Posted November 24, 2009 Author Share Posted November 24, 2009 It's amazing that cars befuddle people so badly when it really is as simple as you put it above. But good on Football joe for seeming to understand and trouble-shooting to at least know he was getting spark. Yeah I put the plug on my tongue and turned the key. I got fire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Dick Posted November 24, 2009 Share Posted November 24, 2009 Yeah I put the plug on my tongue and turned the key. I got fire. Are you related to nuke? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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