I've got a 94 Escort wagon with the 1.9L engine, automatic transmission. The engine has 313,000+ miles on it, and installed the AT 13,000 miles ago. Here are the symptoms - in neutral, the engine will not accelerate above 4,000 rpm with a real rough idle. When in gear, the car barely creeps to 40mph, and that takes awhile.

I've noticed in the last couple of weeks that at 60-70mph, the engine would stumble, almost like it was misfiring or a speed governor was kicking in (have a 2001 Ranger that does that at 92mph). If I pressed the accelerator down to try a clear the stumble, I would lose about 5mph in speed, then suddenly the car would start to accelerate again. This would do it consistently - about once every mile.

Yesterday was when it finally stumbled and would not go above 40-45mph. I put in a new O2 sensor right after the transmission, and I've noticed that when the idle is rough, then I have very little vacuum for the brakes.

Any ideas to even to go with this will be appreciated.

I've got a 94 Escort wagon with the 1.9L engine, automatic transmission. The engine has 313,000+ miles on it, and installed the AT 13,000 miles ago. Here are the symptoms - in neutral, the engine will not accelerate above 4,000 rpm with a real rough idle. When in gear, the car barely creeps to 40mph, and that takes awhile.

I've noticed in the last couple of weeks that at 60-70mph, the engine would stumble, almost like it was misfiring or a speed governor was kicking in (have a 2001 Ranger that does that at 92mph). If I pressed the accelerator down to try a clear the stumble, I would lose about 5mph in speed, then suddenly the car would start to accelerate again. This would do it consistently - about once every mile.

Yesterday was when it finally stumbled and would not go above 40-45mph. I put in a new O2 sensor right after the transmission, and I've noticed that when the idle is rough, then I have very little vacuum for the brakes.

Any ideas to even to go with this will be appreciated.


I am having the same problem. Did you ever get a solution?

Hmm... perhaps something with your exhaust...

well after thinking for a sec... I suppose it is possible your timing belt has slipped. Check to make sure you are getting a spark at all 4 cylinders, and if it checks out ok check your timing.
Might possibly be a restricted fuel problem too... maybe a change of the filter or running a cleaner through the injectors might help.
Hmm... did you ever check the tranny fluid?

well, after 313K miles it might be time for a rebuild. Maybe have a
compression check done to determine the condition of the valvetrain?
Also check for false air (vacum leaks) as older rubber hoses tend to
crack and leak air at some point. Intake manifold gaskets are known
to leak sometimes as well. When was the timeing belt last changed?
they can stretch and throw off the timeing as well. Good luck and let
us know how you made out..