Bought 98 Escort SE wagon - anything to look for?

Not too bad...just watch out for coil spring breakage (usually the bottom-most loop) and make sure you service the transmission regularly (every 30K at least).

Hi,

Thanks for the response. By "service" do you mean just changing the fluid and filter, or is there some other routine maintenance job to be undertaken?

BTW, what springs are you referring to here - the suspension, or something else?

If it's not acting up, just change the fluid and filter on a regular basis.

Suspension...coil springs (rears especially) have a nasty tendency to break. Supposedly Ford used substandard materials to produce them but won't admit anything (the problem isn't isolated to the Escort either). If it breaks on the bottom loop like many (including mine), you may not even notice much of anything (ride) unless you look at them.

Hi,

Okay. I think I will take it in for a general TLC session when I collect it (Sunday), since I have no service history. Will get new plugs, new belts if any look old, and an oil change and I guess I'll ask them to drain the trans too.

Hmm. That's not so good :/ I'll have a peek when I'm picking it up, if I can. Do I have to remove an interior splash shield in the wheel well, or can I see it from behind-n-under the car?

Thanks a bunch.

You can see it from the wheel well without removing anything (though you'll get a better view if you can jack it up and take the wheel off)...your best bet is to run your hand around the bottom couple of loops (right above the bottom strut mount) as that's where it usually breaks.