Recommended Replacements from Owners Manual

[CheapRudy]

95LX 1.9L 5 SP 101K miles

2 questions.

Owners manual says to CHECK the spark plugs at 120K miles. Are they that good?!

Owners manual says NOTHING about changing the timing belt. I heard from many people over the years that this is something that should be done every 60K or so miles. Why is this different than the Owners manual?

[Escort_Service]

The factory spark plugs should last a long time, depending on driving habbits. Just take a look , if there shot get new ones they dont cost that much.

Oh and nothing lasts forever. Even timing belts.
The timing belt should be changed around 120k, and I suggest doing the water pump at the same time.

I had to do mine one week after, I have also heard that from other people as well.

[AzTumbleweed]

My manual says change the timing belt every 60K with the 1.8L engine and just check the belt on the 1.9L. Don't know why unless it's because I believe the 1.8 is an 'interference' engine.

[CheapRudy]

From what I've heard, a timing belt break on an interference engine is bad news. That may be the case with the 1.8 but not with the 1.9. I'm sure either case a timing belt break is going to be a pain to recover from. Seems like a good idea to change out when the plugs get changed around 120K as the manual suggests.

Thanks for the replies.

[AzTumbleweed]

That sounds like a good plan. While your at it take a look at the water pump. See if it has any play in it. This is also an opportunity to replace the hoses.

[LeSabre97mint]

Originally Posted by CheapRudy

95LX 1.9L 5 SP 101K miles

2 questions.

Owners manual says to CHECK the spark plugs at 120K miles. Are they that good?!

Owners manual says NOTHING about changing the timing belt. I heard from many people over the years that this is something that should be done every 60K or so miles. Why is this different than the Owners manual?

The only problem I see with leaving the plugs in the engine for 120,000 miles would be the fact that the plugs may seize in the threads. At 20,000 miles per year, it would be 6 years before those threads would be moved. I would at least pull the plugs and apply anti seize to the threads. I have broken a plug off in a head. NOT fun! I had to pull the head any way to do other engine work.

Dan

[Davescort97]

My timing belt broke on a 95 1.9 wagon at 103,000 miles. Didn't mess up the pistons or valves. Only the 1.8L DOHC in the Zx2 and the early engines in the first generation from 1981 to 1986 are interference engines.

[OldCarNut]

Originally Posted by CheapRudy

95LX 1.9L 5 SP 101K miles

2 questions.

Owners manual says to CHECK the spark plugs at 120K miles. Are they that good?!

Owners manual says NOTHING about changing the timing belt. I heard from many people over the years that this is something that should be done every 60K or so miles. Why is this different than the Owners manual?

The owners manual for my '95 1.9 ltr. Escort says change plugs @ 60,000 miles?! I changed mine at 100K miles and didn't experience a single bit of performance improvement, gas mileage stayed right where it had been and I check mileage every tankful. Guess the high energy ignition system was firing those old babies just fine, so I probably wasted my money on new plugs but they are cheep, so no biggie.

Manual says nothing about replacing the timing belt. When the car had 90,000 miles, that resulted in my being stranded on the expressway with my 91 year old mother aboard when it broke one night. Later I discovered my Chilton's manual says replace at 60,000 miles which is what many other car maker's suggest. At least my good natured Mom thought it was cool to ride home in the flatbed tow truck... being that I do all my own maintenance, I was a little chagrined.

So, if I wuz you, I'd replace that 101,000 mile belt pronto. Belts are cheap, and once you've done one, it's doesn't take that long...

[CheapRudy]

Originally Posted by OldCarNut

The owners manual for my '95 1.9 ltr. Escort says change plugs @ 60,000 miles?! I changed mine at 100K miles and didn't experience a single bit of performance improvement, gas mileage stayed right where it had been and I check mileage every tankful. Guess the high energy ignition system was firing those old babies just fine, so I probably wasted my money on new plugs but they are cheep, so no biggie.

Manual says nothing about replacing the timing belt. When the car had 90,000 miles, that resulted in my being stranded on the expressway with my 91 year old mother aboard when it broke one night. Later I discovered my Chilton's manual says replace at 60,000 miles which is what many other car maker's suggest. At least my good natured Mom thought it was cool to ride home in the flatbed tow truck... being that I do all my own maintenance, I was a little chagrined.

So, if I wuz you, I'd replace that 101,000 mile belt pronto. Belts are cheap, and once you've done one, it's doesn't take that long...

Sounds like good advice. Did you also change the water pump? I have heard that once you get into the timing belt area of replacement, the water pump is right there. I have never performed any type of work on an Escort, though I am going to before long it seems! Any tips on removing the spark plug wires from the plugs? Mine are like super tight. So tight I stopped pulling on them for fear of breaking them!!!

Nice play on my name too, with the reference to the belt cost!! +++