[filcord]

Suddenly saw this thread and it brought back memories of my 97 Escort diesel.
It was the first big car I bought, after a succession of Omnis and M800s. The feel of luxury inside was heady, and I felt tremendously attached to the car. My kids loved the comfort of the back seat, I had them through all ages from a new-born infant to a pre-teen girl.

The engine was a slug though, but pretty reliable. When I sold her, she had 130,000 km on the clock, and never, ever, failed to start first time. Never had an engine overhaul or even fuel pump problems. One suspension overhaul at 85,000 which cost about 18k. Belts were replaced at 50000 km and 100000 km.

Ford service in Goa was beginning to drain me financially, (always some part needed replacing urgently and was told to me on the phone,) as well as emotionally, since they had this knack of making me come back the next day for some unfinished job! I wish there was an alternative, but here in Goa there is no source for parts except the authorised garage, unlike Bombay and Bangalore.

The car was unfortunate to require two bumper changes, and innumerable touch-ups due to other vehicles usually, except for one time my driver misjudged the braking distance before the Sumo in front. Ouch!

I still face questions from my toddler as to why I let go of her.

[stable rock]

Originally Posted by JRD

great man.. I loved this car, its built like a rock literally. We had one of these but not the orion edition the LX diesel. Got bitten by the ford A.S.S when they decided to stop the escort's production one fine day.

Hi JRD, my car is also the LX diesel version.I got the number plate ring similiar to the Orion model in 2007 after the painting job.Now the odo reading is around 1,83,000 km and still it is doing well except the AC.The AC compresor has to be changed according to the mechanic.

[snaronikar]

Nice report and very well maintained car. Good to know that it still rocks even after 1.7L kms. Get a 3M coating on the body and it will look more shining. How many more years will you take its service?

[Lalvaz]

Hey, nice to see someone really making full use of the Ford. Always loved the ride and shape of the Escort, although could never afford to buy it then.

Wish you many more miles of driving pleasure.

[stable rock]

Now the odo reading is 1,83,300.The car engine is still pretty good.Suspension is in perfect condition.There was some excessive smoke but got it rectified when 4 the nozzles were cleaned.But the mechanic told that the nozzles were weak and should be replaced soon.The left tail lamp and the left OVRM was replaced a month ago.The tail lamp costed 850/- and the left ORVM costed 950/- from J.C road.Along with this the engine oil was also changed,there were few rattles from the door which was also rectified.The AC compressor is not working now.I think new one will cost around 15-17k(this time planning to buy new unlike the last time).Have'nt checked the price yet.So there is no AC so the mileage has increased now its aroung 15 in city.Took the car for a 220 kms trip (up and down) two weeks back and the car gave around 19 km/l.I feel very happy when i travel in this car because even after almost 12 years the car is doing well.

There is nothing special to say about this car when compared to the present cars,but feels good because she is still with me.

[narayan]

STABLE ROCK - it really feels good to read a review of a car at 1.83lakh kms.

i intend to do something like this someday but at the kind of mileage i do in a year, its gona take a long long time !! ( 7 years just to do 70k !! )

[stable rock]

Last week i took the car back to Bangalore from my home in Kollam(Kerala).Around 700km was covered without any issue.The mileage i got was around 18km/l and it was without AC.The odo reading is 1,86,789.

By this week end the car will be taken to the AC mechanic to replace the AC compressor.He quoted 14k for an unknown brand and for the original compressor he quoted 18k.For both he gives 1year warranty and he is insisting me to go for the compressor worth 14k.

Now there is a 'tak tak tak' sound while turning the car to the left side.Mechanic told me it is due to wear and tear of the drive shaft.It has to be replaced and he quoted 2800+labour for one side(Taiwan parts).It will be 4800+labour if the parts used are of Delphi.So decided to change LH side drive shaft after the AC works is completed.

Lastly have to do a general service with oil change,Oil,diesel filter change etc.Also there are few rattling noise from the rear doors and from the dashboard.The engine walldoor packing should also be changed becuase of a slight oil leakage from the wall door.

Another problem which i m facing is lack of pick up after few kms.i.e Once the engine is heated i feel a drop in pick up.Firsty Escort is a sluggish vehicle but this lack of pickup after some running really makes it hard to drive especially in the highways.What might be the reason for it?Is it due to weak engine?

Hopefully my Escort will be back in good shape by next week.

[stable rock]

During the last service 2 week back the mechanic asked me to change the timing belt immediately before 500kms.Timimg belt was changed almost 25000 kms back according to my mechanic in Kerala.I feel i m cheated now.Either the timing belt was not changed in 2007 or the belt changed during that time was of low quality.

Unfortunately yesterday the timing belt was broken.I immediately stopped the car and didnt crank the engine again.Knew that the belt gave away.So called my mechanic and he towed the car to the garage.He removed the top cover of the engine and showed me the bronken cam shaft.It was broken into 3 pieces.Mechanic told that the head have to be removed and taken to lathe for new valve seating(dont know what exactly it is).All valves were damaged.Now the gasket etc has to be changed.







I should have listened to my mechanic and changed the T belt immediately.Now i m eagerly waiting for the BILL.

[ramzsys]

Nothing lasts like the original first belt...also, you need to change the complete setup(tensioner, adjuster bearing) for a long lasting belt..

Just recently my ikon 1.8D got a timing belt change(with all). Bill was 12k, along with a oil service.

Please post how much you spent for the engine head work..

[stable rock]

Now the odo reading is 1,96,xxx.My car has done almost 10,000 kms after the 'head' work done due to the broken timing belt.The total cost of the work was around 12k.after this i went twice to Kollam(700 kms from Bangalore) and 5 times to Mysore and once to Salem.The car never let me down in any of the trips.Still it is giving 15-16 km/l in long drives with AC.

Few other works done during last 5 months were,

1. New right and left drive shafts(2200 for the left and 2400 for the right side one, brand-Trak)

2. Fuel filter assembly, there was diesel leak from the fuel filter assembly.I got the original Lucas one for 1900/-.

3. Engine 'C' bedding. There was heavy vibration during starting and stopping.This got rectified after replacing this bedding.Cost was 1350/-.

4. All wheel bearings were also changed.Front ones costed Rs 640 each, dont remember the brand and the back bearings were around 280/-(SKF) a piece.Total 4 bearings were required for the rear wheels.

Now everything is fine but during morning starting the engine sounds very roughly.But when i press the the clutch the rough sound goes.This happens only during cold start.Checked with my mechanic and according to him the clutch release bearing has to be replaced.Will change this bearing and will check the suspension etc after 2 L kms which might take another couple of months.

[gpa]

I got an update as soon as you posted as I have subscribed to this thread. I am in awe of the number of clicks on the odo of your car.

Congrats on the FE you get with her and for your upkeep of the car.

Cheers,
gpa

[aa_asif]

I've used a same color Ford Escort Orion Diesel LX with Endura DE engine (the same engine of Ford Ikon) which (I guess) was provided towards the last days of its production.
I used this car for more than 7 years from 1999 to 2007 which clocked around 1,45000.

As the car came with an Endura diesel powerplant, it delivered surprisingly decent power and I remember beating out a lancer 1.9D on the L&T road Coimbatore where I clocked 160 km/hr and reached bangalore from cochin in flat 7 hours!!
I totally fell for the driving dynamics of it in the first go!
Awesome steering wheel! Awesome Engine Growl! and Aweful Brakes!
It was a fully loaded model with the honeycomb grill.
The only serious problem we had was with the AC compressor fail and the huge cost involved in replacing it.

Amazing car which never let us down even during the last days,

Bought the second hand one (was all most brand new) from the Ford Pre-Owned Car showroom in 1999 for 7.5L and sold it in 2007 for 85K!!!!

Salute to Ford's resale value!! :-p

Cheers!

[Mpower]

Originally Posted by stable rock

1. New right and left drive shafts(2200 for the left and 2400 for the right side one, brand-Trak)

2. Fuel filter assembly, there was diesel leak from the fuel filter assembly.I got the original Lucas one for 1900/-.

4. All wheel bearings were also changed.Front ones costed Rs 640 each, dont remember the brand and the back bearings were around 280/-(SKF) a piece.Total 4 bearings were required for the rear wheels.

Wow man. Suprised to see that parts are so easily available. Do you get it from JC road or Ford Dealer. Opel Astra is a pain for us.

[Fordmanchau]

Hi Stable Rock,
Just went through your thread.
Amazing to know that you clocked 1.96 lakh kms on the Ford Escort. Any recent updates?
Reading through the post it does give a feeling that the car is maintenance heavy. I too own a Ikon petrol and have been happy with the car till now.
Do posts new updates about how the car is doing.

[Utopian]

Stable rock, hats off to you for clocking all those miles with the Ford even after being plagued by niggles. People at Ford must really be proud.