Is a rebuilt engine a worthwhile option for a

[Zolok]

1995 Ford Escort?
100,000+ miles on the odometer, no major problems yet with it but time is not on this car's side.
I figure a rebuilt engine is a cheaper option than buying a new car.
My them for the next two to three years being "cost supression".
Any advice?

[rjbcar27]

1. Does the engine need changing?

100,000+ is not really a lot of miles these days. I suppose it is a ford though.

Plenty of scrap places with used engines would be cheaper than a 'rebuilt' one. How much have you been quoted for a rebuilt motor?

In the UK, a 95 escort with a blown motor would be worth nothing and scrapped.

[Kolesar]

2. The car talk guys say that by 100k or 150k the car is "spent"

I would advise against it.

I rebuilt the heads on my 1989 Chevy in 2000 when the head gasket blew. It had 130,000 miles on it at the time. I managed to get another 10,000 miles on it when the brake line rusted through. I took another look at the old rusty car and decided to donate it to charity and to "forget about it".

(by the car talk guys, I refer to the hosts of NPR's "Car Talk")

[even]

3. Don't know the car

but a new engine is always cheaper than a new car. Wait until the engine has problems. You might be surprised.

[BlueJazz]

4. What kind of Transmission is in it?

If it's standard shift, have it checked out...If automatic have it REALLY checked out.

You might want to drop in a rebuilt Trans as long as you're putting in a rebuilt engine.

Also, how are the CV joints?...rear axel bearings?

[Jose Diablo]

5. No

Not with standing a ford escort is what may be called a low cost car, today engines are manufactured with tolerances in the 1/10,000 rather than 1/1000. Rebuilding an engine without the capability to provide the original 1/10,000 tolerance is a waste of time and money.

I have been there and done that, 3 engines later I gave up and started with a fresh car.

[ewagner]

6. I have the Mazda version

of the escort. It's a 1990 (we bought it new in '90 and we use it as our second car.) and has 81K miles on it.

We change the oil like clockwork every 3000 miles and change gas/fuel filters every third oil change.

Last trip to Green Bay and back (230 miles round trip) I averaged 41MPG.

NO WAY AM I GETTING RID OF THIS!

btw...had to change CV joints at 60k miles

because of salted roads, mufflers and exhaust systems last about two years.......

other than that.....I love this car.

on edit: Mazda builds the Escort for Ford.

[Flying_Pig]

7. No.

Escorts are good for about 150k, if they're well cared for. Just keep it going as best you can, and then dump it. Spending all the $$'s needed to refurbish it, does not make sense, because the re-sale value on Escorts is really low. We're not talking a classic car here. Escorts are good, economical transportation, but they are what I call, a "throw away" car.

By comparison, I drive a 1976 Mercedes 240D. I've got 200K, and they are known to go 500K, plus.

The biggest consideration, in addition re-sale value/money out, is the rest of the car. Tranny, CV joints, struts, etc. In Escorts, right about the time your engine will give out, the rest of these things will need fixingt, and/or, replacing, and you'll end up spending way more than the car is worth.

One thing you can do though, is to spend the extra money to use fully synthetic oil. This may get you an extra 25K out of the engine, and it'll only cost you an extra $10 or so per oil change, which is way cheaper than an engine.

If you do decide to do an engine though, buy a used, certified low mileage (under 30K) engine at the junk yard. These are way better than re-built, and usually cost less. Go to www.carparts.com , and you can search junkyards all over your area, and should be able to find just what you need.

Good luck. Escorts are good little cars, and I am sure, one way or the other, you will have gotten good use out of it.

[Gman]

8. Use synthetic oil

you can get 200 - 250K+ miles out of it.

[FlashHarry]

9. Is that a good idea on a high-milage engine?

I had heard that synthetic oil is more prone to leaks in a high-mileage engine, due to its lower viscosity and failing seals/gaskets.

[Flying_Pig]

10. That is mostly a myth. Yes, there may be a little gasket seepage,..

as all gaskets shrink as they age, but it is usually minimal. The benefits, far outweigh the negatives.

[MojoKrunch]

11. Synthetic oil is a waste of money.

It's all a marketing ploy.
As are different "grades" of oil and their additives.

Regular oil and oil filter changes are more important.

Mojo

[MojoKrunch]

12. Incremental fixes, but comprehensive preventation.

Regular maintainence.
Regular maintainence.
Regular maintainence.
Oil, transmission fluid, ps fluid, brake fluid, filters, etc.
(IIRC, Wal Mart/Sams has a good, cheap oil change/lube/filter change)

Get the major components checked regularly by a mechanic(oil pump, water pump, transmission, brakes, compression, etc.) and do as much of it yourslef as you are capable of.

Change the belts regularly and remember that these cars use timing *belts*, not chains, which will stretch or lose teeth and jump time.(cheaper to get the water pump and timing belt changed at the same time)

Check out Cars.com for more.

Mojo