Brakes, stalling, timing belt...help me get started

I finally have enough $$$ to start the many projects my car has been begging for...but I need to know what I should do and I should leave to a mechanic. I want to do as much as I can --- I have a good source of tools and if I think I can handle the job I want to do it myself. My dad who's disabled now used a be a mechanic and I used to enjoy working on the car with him, but he's no longer able to work on cars or really go out and look. However, I have that itch to do it and learn it myself and save myself some money by doing the grunt work.

My 95 Escort, 1.9, manual with 180,000 miles has developed a long list of problems. The most severe one which killed it this week I was able to figure out: the timing belt went.

Before the timing belt broke it was also having other problems.

1) for the last year the engine light has been coming on then going off with no real sort of predictability or symptoms of anything happening of why it is coming on when it comes on. If I change speeds it will often go off within seconds. It never stays continuously on for more than two minutes.

2) The Brakes! I will be driving then need to slow down, stop...and the brakes will be completely hard, i will rev the engine (make sure car is still running) and try brakes again and they'll work. This has happened about five times in last 3 months. Brake fluid levels are fine.

3) It stalls out. 80% of the time when I put the clutch in with no gas applied my car stalls out when driving. Turning corners or slowing down is a pain because I have to be ready to pop the clutch or rev the engine.
The headlights often dim before it stalls out.

4) In the last three weeks it has taken to choking and shuttering while driving city speeds (15-30 mph).

5) The engine revs uncontrolably or idles rough and dies.

What I am planning to start on first is a) replacing timing belt b) change fuel filter and c) change the oil (it's due). Any recommendations on where I should start next?

Also any suggestions for on-line parts stores?

Thanks!
-Michelle

The biggest problem I can see that you are having is with the idle control circut. The culprit is probably a faulty Idle Air Control (IAC) valve. If your MIL (Check Engine Light) is coming on, there should be codes stored. Code readers are fairly inexpensive and some auto parts stores (such as AutoZone) will let you borrow or rent a scan tool. You can also retrieve flash codes. You will need a manual, such as Haynes, to guide you through the process. It sounds to me like the IAC is your biggest problem.

Dan

Thanks for replying, Dan.

If the IAC is the problem, which of my car's symptoms will that fix?

Just a sidenote: I also replaced the Oxygen Sensor last fall and it didn't resolve any of the problems. It did show a good burn on the metal though, that it was okay.

-Michelle

Replacing the IAC is very easy to do. It should improve your idling problems. However, the idle problems you describe could also have to do with a vacuum leak. Use a stethoscope and examine the engine real well looking for a vacuum leak. If you can't find one, perhaps you should try the IAC.
DOn't know what your plans are for all these repairs, but if any of it involves removing the head then you should wait until that is complete. That process which involves changing a lot of gaskets could seal up any air leaks... could also just be a hose though.

If the IAC is faulty, replacing it will solve the erratic idle & stalling. It may also correct your hard brake pedal, provided the low, rough idle wasn't supplying adequate vacuum to the brake booster. Since revving the engine seems to solve that problem, chances are it will.

Dan