Headgasket

[shocked76]

Ok, I'm getting really jerked around here, so hopefully somebody can let me know. I have a 96 ford escort (not sure of the exact date it was made, but I could find out if necesary), 1.9L auto trans. I need to replace the head gasket in the coming months, and I'm trying to find the right one. I have a gasket set and bolt set, the only problem is it says 91 - 95 on everything, which got me asking a few places. I'm getting mixed awnsers about wether or not they changed. At first I didn't think anything of it, but after I get about 7 or 8 different awnsers I start to question. So, can somebody please tell me if there's any differences in the head gasket between 95 - 96. it's the same engine displacement (1.9) and stuff, but I know they did change a few things. I don't see why they'd change the design of the engine that much only to change it again in 97, but it's not entire impossible that a car company did a foolish thing.. lol.. but anyways, if somebody has some solid knowledge in this department it would be much appreciated. Thanks alot.

[J-walk]

well i dont know much about it but if it were made for a 1996 it would say 1991 -1996. what i would do if i was in your place would be return it if u still can and get one that says 96 on it and if they give you a hard time make sure that u know where there is one that says 96 on it and tell them to screw off u didnt ask for a 91-95. but who knows maybe they r compatible.

[shocked76]

yeah, Its not a matter of a problem returning it. but they just saying it's the right one. i know it was changed a little tiny bit in 96... but I just don't know how much

[crazydriverz]

when i run into a situation like that ,i would call my local salvage yards for answers. most of the time they can help.maybe your local salvage yards can help you.

[KimMG]

Maybe old packaging for the gasket set. Autozone lists the same part number for 95 and 96 on the head gasket set.

[shocked76]

yeah, I'm hoping. I'll give it a try, if not then I'll just have to pick up a new gasket I guess. thanks all!

[AzTumbleweed]

I can't imagine any reason for changing a gasket that late in Escort's production.

Just out of curiosity, what makes you think the head gasket is bad?

[shocked76]

well, I had a test done on the coolant system, and there's a loss of compression, I've had bad heat, and last week coolant started leaking from somewhere high in on the block... I'm hoping it's the gasket, and not a crack. My heat guage has been bouncing around a bit lately aswell.

[AzTumbleweed]

Originally Posted by shocked76

well, I had a test done on the coolant system, and there's a loss of compression, I've had bad heat, and last week coolant started leaking from somewhere high in on the block... I'm hoping it's the gasket, and not a crack. My heat guage has been bouncing around a bit lately aswell.

Not trying to argue with you I 'm trying to save you money. What test did you have done on the cooling system? There IS a test to detect carbon monoxide in the coolant. If you have that then you DO have a bad head gasket. Coolant leak could be something else. Just hope you can find something else that won't cost you much. Not too many rich people on this board

[shocked76]

oh it's not gonna cost me a dime, I didn't mean to sound rude or anything, sorry. It's just a day or two worth of work.. which as long as i don't get into trouble or anything I don't mind. when we bought the car from a dealer we asked them to run some tests on it, and they're the one's who came up with the faulty head gasket... I figure a dealer would be good and sure before they sold the car for less than half they were asking for it . But I will check around before i start tearing stuff apart, but I've checked all the hoses that I can see without tearing too much stuff apart, and the leak was coming from somewhere behind the distributor, so I'm not sure if there's a hose behind there or not. Again, sorry for coming off rude if I did, I didn't mean to, I do appreciate the advice, thanks

[shocked76]

oh, and just to clarify, I'm not some rich snoty kid... lol... my dad owns a mechanic shop so he's getting me the parts.. just for clarification.. lol.

[AzTumbleweed]

No, No, No! Absolutely didn't think you were rude. If so I'd quit 'talking' to you! Yes, there is a hose under the distributor. It's only about 3 or 4 inches long. 5/8" I think. In the photo below I circled the hose clamp in yellow. The factory set-up has this hose crimped on so when you replace it you have to hacksaw off the metal band that crimps it. Anyway, This photo shows the hose. (Air Cleaner to Throttle Body Hose removed for clarity).
hing that has me confused. What's a compression check on a cooling system?

[shocked76]

it aparently tests to make sure there's enough pressure.. I should've said that instead.. lol... I don't think compression makes much sense now that I think about it

[KimMG]

shocked76-Since your dad owns a shop, does he have any emmissions testing equipment. I have used smog machines for testing CO or HCs in the cooling system. Remove some of the parts that are hiding the location of the leak. Pressurize the cooling system and see if you can find the source of the leak. On my Dodge, the leak turned out to be a corroded freeze plug.
Have you driven the car? If yes, did you have white smoke coming out of the tail pipe? Have you done a compression test on the motor? Have you noticed water in the oil?
Bad heat can be caused by a clogged heater core or low coolant level.
It is possible the dealership made a mistake. The tech may have been rushed. Do some of your own diagnostic testing and see if you get the same results as they did.

[jeffescortlx]

The HG for the 91-96 1.9 is the same.

If you do pull the head, make sure to have a new intake manifold gasket ready.

You need to find out why the HG blew. They dont just blow because they feel like it, there is a reason. I'd go over the cooling system, and make sure the heater core is flowing 100%. The temp sensors on these engines read the coolent temp of the heater core flow, and not the engine temp.