94 Ford Escort bucks

Jeff T opined in news: snipped-for-privacy@posting.google.com:

ANY other symptoms?

Hard or Easy acceleration?

Does it start run and idle well? Any change there since before this problem?

Should start in about 2 seconds without touching accelerator

Have you changed the fuel filter?

WHY did you change the oxygen sensor?

No other symptoms that I've noticed. Accelleration, cold/hot start is the same as it has always been. Runs/idles well. No other problems noticed. Fuel filter changed about 10k ago. o2 sensor changed because a previous Google post referred to the o2 sensor going bad and causing bucking. Changing it also seemed to lessen the bucking, but alas, it continues...

I have a '95 Escort with 176,000. At about 130,000 it had a hiccup. Would idle fine and would go up to 35 or 40 fine also. When asked to climb a hill or get on the highway, it would buck and hiccup. Turned out to be the ignition coil. My '95 has a distributorless ignition, as I think yours does. The coil is right on top and easy to get to. It's actually two coils packaged together. It was about $43 at Advance Auto. It would be a good idea to change plugs and wires now too. Scott snipped-for-privacy@aol.com

Have you checked your TPS yet?

a good start would be the fuel filter

My old '91 used to do that every so often. It seemed to be the parking brake was not disengaging. I had that serviced a few times and each time the problem would go away for several months (or even a year or more). It didn't have nearly as many miles, though.

-D

I have the exact same problem with a manual 94 LX wagon with about 145 k on it. Have you tried any of the remedies listed here? Any of them work?

Thanks!

I've checked the brake and it's not the source, but thanks for the posting anyway.

Jeff

Sorry for the delay in replying to your post. I've had the fuel filter changed which seemed to lessen the bucking - then I tried "SeaFoam" fuel system cleaner (available at Napa Auto Parts amongst other auto stores) and it seemed to lessen it even more. I've only gone through

1/2 tank of gas since I tried the cleaner, so maybe it'll get better with time... Next stop will be to replace spark plugs/wires...

Thanks again, Jeff

I haven't been able to read the whole thread here, only the replies. I had a hiccuping problem with my '95 escort. Wouldn't even climb a steep hill for a while. Turned out to be the ignition coil. Had replaced the plugs and wires first. Coil was about $43 at Advance Auto. Scott snipped-for-privacy@aol.com

10/31/04-

I changed the spark plugs today and found it cured the problem!! Finally my car seems to be running right!

Thanks to everyone who weighed in on this discussion!

Jeff