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Originally Posted by asdf9871

Hi, 1st time poster, long time reader to the forum. I have a 95 Escort 1.9 with 140,000 miles with manual tranny. I am the original owner and the car has been very reliable up until this point with absolutely no major problems. It started with a crack in my gas tank around the top which wasn't a problem unless it was filled up all the way. After considering my families safety I decided to have it replaced at a local shop. Since the car never needed any major work I didn't have a regular mechanic, all home maintained until now and I really didn't want to mess around with a full gas tank (I should have though). The shop replaced it with a used tank and besides them leaving tools all over my engine compartment and back seat it seemed to correct the issue. About 2 days after this it started idling rough and had poor acceleration, I chalked it up to be the used tank. Knowing them it could have had a birds nest in it, a Techron fuel treatment seemed to clear it up a bit though. It has gotten worse and I took it back, they say fuel pump will need to be replaced (they reused my pump). Made sense but I checked my fuel pressure at the rail and it is right in the middle of specs. I had the cat replaced right after this because it was very old and corroded, was also glowing very red. That did not help and since the last 2 places I have been for work have left alot to be desired (plug wires not on right, broken hood latch, and several clips and such not put back properly) I have been working with it at home now. The idle is a little rough but not bad at all. When you try to give it any gas it bogs down and then takes off after a few seconds. Sometimes it doesn't ever take off and just hovers around 2000rpms with no power. It appears that the warmer the engine the worse the power loss. Starts up everytime and in th morning after sitting all night it takes off like a new car until you go about 1/2 mile then it starts losing power. The new cat is glowing very red again and the car is undrivable at this time. I have replaced wires, plugs, Coil pack, EGR valve, Fuel filter twice, PCV valve, Oxygen sensor, fuel pressure regulator, air filter, and exhaust manifold since I was planning on doing that anyway. I removed and cleaned the throttle body which had alot of carbon build up, no change in performance. I have fuel pressure at the rail within specs as well as proper vacuum within specs.
I also performed a compession test and they are all looking good. I have been trying to test sensors and such one by one according to the Chilton book but I haven't had much success. Anyone have any advice?

wow you did most what I coulld suggest is your car one of those (like mine) that has 2 O2 sonsors? BTW there is a "sock" on the fuel pump do you know if they replaced that too with the old one? I'd first say fuel pump proberbly didnt like the switch however you get the right pressure. The cat glowing say (obviouslly) something is still wrong. One thing to try if you like tinkering is try removing the exhust from the manifold and see if the problems are still there. Oh and check the timing could it be possable your timing belt jumped a tooth?