escort front end vibration

hi i have a problem with my 1996 escort cabriolet , when i rev the engine then the revs reaches above 2000rmp i get a loud vibration noice coming from the front end , im hoping sombody will be able to guide me in the right direction as to what the problem is , thanks guys

My first guess would be its a bad idler or tensioner on the serpentine belt, that is letting that belt run a little loose and smack against nearby metal items. This would be true if the timing belt was loose too. Another thing to check if you have an automatic transmission, is that the bolts holding the torque converter to the flywheel are still tight. Then there are a couple of pieces of ABS plastic under the engine - splash shields. The normal vibration of the engine always gets more intense at higher rpm, and may be making one of these things flaps around, if they are loose or bent.
Try speeding the engine up while the hood is open. With most Escorts you can reach the throttle to pull on it with your fingers.

My first guess would be its a bad idler or tensioner on the serpentine belt, that is letting that belt run a little loose and smack against nearby metal items. This would be true if the timing belt was loose too. Another thing to check if you have an automatic transmission, is that the bolts holding the torque converter to the flywheel are still tight. Then there are a couple of pieces of ABS plastic under the engine - splash shields. The normal vibration of the engine always gets more intense at higher rpm, and may be making one of these things flaps around, if they are loose or bent.
Try speeding the engine up while the hood is open. With most Escorts you can reach the throttle to pull on it with your fingers.

thanks for the great info , i revved the car as you said and found that the heat shield was loose , so now it is all sorted many thanks for that, i do have another problem though, when i change gear the rev counter goes through the roof and revs really high , if you could give me some pointers on this i would be most gratefull thanks barry

Sorry. The first answer is free. The second cost $10. Just kidding! Good luck!:iceslolan

Are you saying the engine will easily have excessively high rpm, maybe on its own, when between gears? How about just stopped in neutral? I hope the 95 and 96 are the same as that's the closest year I can look up. If you just have excessive tach rpm but engine rpm isn't high, that could either be the ignition control module,1.9l ( or distributor ignitions module,1.8l) or the tachometer. On an older vehicle, it was the distributor shaft itself shaking due to wear causing the tach to go all over and affect driveability. There is the camshaft position sensor if you don't have a distributor. If you do, then the problem could be there. Or, they used the crankshaft position sensor.

If it is excessively revving, not sure, still could be ignition module. I guess in this order I'd try cleaning the mass airflow sensor, test the throttle postion sensor and the engine coolant temperature sensor. Do you have any other driveability or performance issues? Hopefully someone else can give better than my two.

Lubricate the throttle cable and check the return spring for proper tension.

Lubricate the throttle cable and check the return spring for proper tension.

Thanks for all the info , i forgot to mention that the noise and higher revs only occurs when the clutch pedel is depressed, and between gears , would it be worth while cleaning or changing the idle control valve, i purchased the car last month but previous it has been stood for 2 years , but hopefully i can sort this quick and easy

Hmmm, sounds clutch or trans related when you say it ONLY happens when you push in on the clutch. Turn your radio up louder. That fixes a lot of things!?! :D :loser:

Change that idle control valve or clean and lube it. If the car has sat for 2 years it's probably sticking.

I wasnt sure if the rev counter showing high revs was the problem, or if the engine was really revving high itself. If the engine is revving up, I think you got the advice of what to examine already. If its the rev counter itself - I dont have any actual experience. I think the electronics of the rev counter is basically counting 'events' of its input voltage going up/down/up; that being the signal to the ign coil or ignitor. So... a loose connection to the rev counter ('tach' on our side of the water) and the usual engine vibrations, could make the tach read higher than the engine was really spinning.
You said it only happens when the clutch pedal is depressed. If it were something wrong with the throttle valve or idle air control valve or TPS, etc. I would expect it would also do it when the transmission was in neutral.