all escort owners should know!

50% drop in fuel economy, no "check engine" light; engine hot, but heat gauge said everything is just fine. I read this forum, a lot of escorts are having symptoms of cronic overheating. Solution: IAC--Idle Air Control, runs about $50, what a differents! Easy visual check, this little guy is right on top of the engine, takes two bolts and a electric connector to evaluate. I took mine off and found that there is a spring inside that was really crudded up with carbon.

I don't think the IAC has anything to do with fuel consumption or heat disappation. New one on me. :confused:

When my IAC was fouling up, I had stalling and idling issues, and maby some gas milage problems. I cleaned it out with a good amount of break cleaner and it worked right as rain again. Like you said, the spring and plunger was totally carboned/crudded up.

The IAC (idel air control) valve has nothing to do with fuel consuption or engine temp. It's just a bypass of the throttle body plate so the ECU has control over the idle speed, so it stay's regulated with a change in engine load, like when you turn on the A/C.
If the IAC was bad, you'd either stall, or have a high idle.