1987 Ford Escort 500,000 km report

Year: 1987 Make: Ford Model: Escort GL Assembled: Wayne MI Purchased: May 1987 Engine: 1.9L, gas Trans: 5-speed manual

-Fuel: regular grade Esso, single throttle-body cFI

-Body: 5 door hatch, ext. white, int. grey cloth

-Access.: ps, pb, dual elec. mirrors (installed by dealer), AMFMcass (replaced)

-Shinecoat and undercoat applied by dealer

-Mid-grey film installed over tinted glass by glass shop

-Odometer: 500,000 kms, 310,700 mi. (conv. factor 0.6214)

-Odometer reading date: Feb. 21, 2004 1000h

-Current age: 16.8 yrs

-Oil: 5W30 (as recommended by manufacturer), SG-CD, Motocraft and Havoline to 100,000 kms; bulk premium recycled 5W30 ($0.75/L) thereafter (3 mos. supply remain)

-Estimated use: 95% city, 5% highway

Service Intervals (by owner) --

-oil change and filter (Hastings): 5,000 km (3,107 mi.). Changed warm-hot, drained 30 mins.

-air filter (Hastings): 25,000 kms (15,535 mi.), [reducing to 20,000 km]

-breather: 50,000 kms (31,000 mi.) [reducing to 20,000 kms]

-tire rotation: 10,000 kms (6,214 mi.) - Following dealer serviced to 100,000 kms; independents (2) serviced thereafter -

-fuel filter: 80,000 kms (49,700 mi.)

-plugs: conventional 40,000 kms to 200,000 kms; platinum thereafter at

150,000 kms

-timing belts (6): 115,000/85,000 kms initially to 285,000 kms (one broke @

85,000); 85,000 kms thereafter (or done with water pump replacement)

-coolant: 50,000 - 75,000 kms (31,100 - 46,600 mi.)

Ignition & Electrical --

-ignition modules (6): 120,000 kms (74,600 mi.), one replaced with distributor stator @ 495,000 kms (307,600 mi.)

-throttle position sensors (5): as needed

-map sensor & EGR: both @ 325,000 kms

-O2 sensor & IAC motor: both @ 445,000 kms

-idle tracking switch (ITS): 495,000 kms (repaired erratic 80% power loss)

-dist. cap & rotor: 200,000 kms

-batteries (4): avg. 125,000 kms

-alternator: replaced @ 345,000 kms

-plug wires: replaced @ 360,000 kms

-distributor stator: 495,000 kms (replacement recommended by dealer but did not repair erratic 80% power loss later determined to be caused by faulty ITS above)

Brakes, front disk -- pads: 3 callipers: 3 rotors: 2 Brakes, rear drum -- linings: 3 cylinders: 2 drums: machined

Front wheel bearings -- right: 3 left: original

Front end --

-rack & pinions (3): avg. 200,000 kms

-tie rods, left outer: 3

-tie rods, left inner: 5

-tie rod, right inner: 4

-tie rods, right outer: 4

-ball joint, left: 275,000 & 360,000 kms

-ball joint, right: 275,000 kms

Pumps -- water: 200,000 kms p. steering: 160,000 kms fuel: 360,000 kms

Gaskets -- valve cover: replaced @ 480,000 kms head: leakage begun @ 495,000 kms, and rear main: leakage may have also begun at same time

Body --

-windshields: 3; chip repairs - several

-rear defrost: wire broke and could not be repaired

-small sub-bumper quarter panel below fuel filler door completely rusted

-other: spot rust on doors, near fuel filler door, corner of windshield, rear panel, wheel wells, door edges, progressing

-floor rust: partially repaired

-driver seat belt: frayed and replaced @ 400,000 kms

-driver seat: broke @ 420,000 and repaired

Other --

-tires 165x80x13 (5 sets): original set of 4 Goodyear to 75,000 kms (46,600 mi.), Toyo thereafter (2 sets of 4 & 2 sets of 5), avg 120,000 kms per 4; emergency slow speed spare replaced with full size wheel and tire

-clutch safety switch: replaced @ 75,000 kms (46,600 mi.)

-clutch: 270,000 kms (167,800 mi.)

-struts (2nd set): orig. replaced @ 100,000 kms with Munroe heavy duty gas struts

-tach: failed @ 400,000 kms, several used replacements could not be made to function

-speedo cable: serviced @ 425,000 kms.

-block heaters: 3

-starter: replaced @ 465,000 kms

-wheel hubs: right replaced @ 495,000 kms, left original

-radiator: replaced @ 500,000 kms

-CV joints: original, coming due for repair

-exhaust system: original

-highway fuel economy: best 51 mpg (5.5L/100kms) @90 kph (56 mph), worst 36 mpg (7.9L/100kms) @100 kph (prior to O2 sensor & IAC motor replacement), avg. 45 mpg @105 kph (65 mpg)

-fuel injector cleaner: used often (best remedy for clogged injector and general operation is extended (3 hrs min.) highway travel)

-methyl hydrate: used to eliminate condensation in fuel tank as necessary

-oil consumption: highway, 0.3L/1,000 kms (621 mi.)

-accidents: none

-speeding tickets: 1 (manual transmission considered helpful in controlling speed in city)

-minor damage: 4 (2x rear ended, 1 front grill hit & run by truck, 1 break & enter)

-ash trays, lighter: unused

Engine oil analyses --

500,000 km oil sample test results to follow. All previous lab tests showed very low alloy wear and no coolant contamination.

Engine status --

-Some blow-by since 480,000 kms possibly due to plugged or worn oil compression rings. Oil treatment used once but not recommended by lab. Worn rings not previously reported by engine oil analyses.

Alternate vehicle --

1995 Windstar LX, 3.8L auto

Possible next vehicle --

1998-1999 Contour, 2.5L V6, 5-speed, white/grey, 8 spoke alloy wheels, non-ABS, power seats
Reply to
Terry Lys
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Correction re: estimated city use 95%, highway 5% s/r city use 90%, highway 10%, Correction re: CV joints due for repair s/r CV joint good but boots only showing some wear.

Engine oil analysis (PPM):

2 intervals analysed and reported: 1) 6,900 kms @ 497,400 kms, and 2) 2,600 kms @ 500,000 kms Tin 0, 0 Lead 10, 9 Copper 5, 4 Aluminum 5, 4 Silicon 15, 17 Iron 11, 10 Chromium 1, 0.9 Silver 0, 0 Magnesium 710, 831 Nickel 0, 0 Barium 0, 0 Sodium 388, 525 (elevated) Calcium 768, 608 Vanadium 0, 0 Phosphorus 950, 1000 Molybdenum 4, 4 Boron 24, 25 (elevated) Manganese 54, 38 Water 0, 0 Glycol trace, yes (elevated) Fuel Dilution no, no.

Report: check for coolant leak. Low main or rod bearing wear. Elevated sodium, phosphorus, boron and glycol c/b due to use of stopleak prior to rad replacement and partial failure of head gasket to seal under significant cold (Jan/Feb). No other abnormal concentrations. 3 elevated levels could normalize. Resample in 3,000 km recommended. ************* End of oil analysis ***********

controlling

Reply to
Terry Lys

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