Bought a used 95 Escort with 93,000 miles on it for my kids. Drove ok for a year, until it dropped a valve seat at 101,000. Notorious for the SOHC engines. I was fortunate to only have to pull the head and have the head overhauled. Only had to replace the Intake Valve along with all the seats. Cost was 450.00 dollars. This included changing the waterpump, timing belt, and other Misc heater hoses etc while I was at it. STAY AWAY FROM SOHC MODELS !!! I sold it and broke even, only to purchase a stupid FOCUS with the same darn engine. It did the exact same thing only WORSE! Broke a piston too.

Don't buy one of these cars... Nothing but a waste of time. I have owned two of them both had serious engine problems. The last one started making rattling noises, then it would die while I was driving. I ended up paying a mechanic over $1500 to diagnose the problem. I was told that it was carbon buildup in the engine...what a load of crap, I think they just wanted to get me out of the shop.. I was persistent and made them look further into it as the problem continued.

The engine was taken apart it turned out that my fourth cylinder had blown and the metal particles had dispersed throughout the engine. If you are unfamiliar with car stuff in short it means the engine is no good. The estimate was $3500 plus anything else that is found aside from the cylinder. ie, brakes, shocks, transmission. Not worth it, if this is happening to your car, RUN. This car was my biggest regret...cheers!!

I have a 95 escort wagon 1.9 that is doing the same thing. I am an automotive student at local community college. i took head off and found the valve seat in #4 intake had fell out. had new seat pressed in, replaced piston. thought i had problem fixed. WRONG! got it running yesterday and it started the noise again. Exactly what your's is doing. checked the timing and it is fine. it was sugested that i use a manual gauge to check oil pressure. There is oil on the #4 piston also so i will most likely have to take the head back off. i guess i really don't have much advice for you right now but i will keep you posted as we go along. please let me know if you find out anything.

ok I need help , I checked the timing belt doesnt seem broke, but for two days very seldom then more frequent chitter chatter clicking faint crunchy sounds then last night alot then it rattled and went dead, always changed the oil and everything all fluids still full, no water in the oil, it will start but it just rattles and chatters, pushing down on the accelerator increases rpm's still but not much horespower seems, it would before it finally just quit sitll run great up to the last minute engine was humming like a bird then when I pulled up to turn around somewhere it just made a lot of that noise and went dead, started it today and it tries to stay going but gives up, temerature gauge does not get hot, engine does not get hot what is this problem never seen this kind of thing