flywheel/flexplate cracked

[austin1106]

My flywheel is cracked and i cant remember if you have to drop the tranny to get at it ???? For awhile i was thinking i had a lifter tick but the car ran great except for that annoying noise it kept making !!!!!!! it finally got so bad but the car ran great so im pretty sure the flywheel is craked hey maybe i will get lucky and a bolt will just be loose anyways if anyone has replaced on please let me know some details on what to do.Thanks

[denisond3]

I have never dealt with a cracked flexplate/flywheel - how do you know that has happened? Yes you would have to remove either the engine or the tranmission to replace it. You can have a look at the outer part of the flywheel by removing the little cover at the bottom of the motor. You may have to remove the catylytic converter in order to reach this, as the output pipe from the cat. conv. runs under the oil pan there, and is an obstruction. With that cover off (and the exhaust out of the way) you can rotate the flywheel and see the bolts holding it to the tranny. You wont be able to see the bolts holding it to the flange on the crankshaft though.

[Torch]

I'm wondering as well how you know that the flywheel is cracked?

Flex plate I have heard of the fins breaking but there are usually enough fins in there to still do the job.

Is this a front or rear wheel drive? Rear wheel drive will be way easier to work on.

[Davescort97]

It could be a lifter sticking. It wouldn't make the car run badly, it would just make the noise. Try an oil change with 1 qt. of it Rislone or any additive that is for stuck lifters.. It should help.

[mightymoose_22]

It makes me think of our old friend the valve seat. Sometimes when small bits of those break off they will stick to the top of the piston and produce a loud ticking sound.

[rhandwor]

I've had them crack on a chevy 4wd but haven't run across one on an escort. Use a flashlight and look closely where it bolts to the crankshaft. I never pulled a transmission on a escort but on the Taurus you have to have a special tool to hold the engine. Then unbolt the bottom of the supports for the transmission. Next to impossible without a lift. You could use a heavy piece of pipe and chain to hold it. At least an engine lift floor jack and 4 jack stands.
Buy a haynes manual study it before you start. Unless you are a serious home mechanic get prices from some local garages.

[Davescort97]

Have you had a chance to inspect it? What was wrong with it?

[austin1106]

This Saturday I will be taking the tranny out and if all goes well and it is the flywheel i will give you guys all the info i have,starting with the noises and what i have gone through to figure out its the flywheel.I dont wanna say right now its for sure the flywheel and give you all the info and then come back on here Saturday and say well its wasnt the flywheel,so since you guys were nice enough to give me info i will for sure Saturday or Sunday let you no exactly what was wrong.

[austin1106]

Well it was the flywheel that was cracked !! And it was cracked bad,the center of the flywheel where it bolts up was cracked all the way around.So the next time you think its a lifter take a second guess i know i will !! It had all the signs of a lifter tick but what made me really belive it was the flywheel is I own two 2003 Ford zx2's same motors and when i took the oil caps off with the engines running the motors both sounded the same when you put your ear up to where the oil cap goes.So to make a long story short i took the chance bought a flywheel,dropped the tranny and it all paid off !!!

[rhandwor]

I'm glad you was able to do it yourself you sure saved some money.

[Davescort97]

It's great to hear you got it fixed. Yeah, you're right. If it was a lifter you would be able to tell the difference by putting your ear to the valve cover. Well, I'm glad you were right and I was wrong.

[austin1106]

Just wanted to Thank all you guys again for the info,hope i was of some help!!