Ford Escort 1.3 HCS engine - backfiring?

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Thu 7 Jul 2005 19:56
Ford Escort 1.3 HCS engine - backfiring? - mfarrow
Hi

This is a problem which I only experience occasionally, but which still doesn't sound nor feel great.

Basically, when warm, under load, and at low revs, the engine sometimes makes a 'popping' sound accompanied by a sudden jerk. Is this the engine backfiring? If so, what's causing it?

The engine otherwise runs fine with no apparent misfire.

Thanks,



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Mike Farrow
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Thu 7 Jul 2005 20:23
Ford Escort 1.3 HCS engine - backfiring? - mfarrow
Just to add

When it happens, it only happens once, and is difficult to replicate.

By 'under load at low revs' I mean pulling away or 1st to 2nd change, and at say 900rpm.
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Thu 7 Jul 2005 20:42
Ford Escort 1.3 HCS engine - backfiring? - Civic8
cracked rotor arm springs to mind.Just a thought
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Steve
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Thu 7 Jul 2005 20:48
Ford Escort 1.3 HCS engine - backfiring? - mfarrow
No rotor arm I'm afraid Steve - distributorless "wasted spark" system.
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Thu 7 Jul 2005 20:55
Ford Escort 1.3 HCS engine - backfiring? - madf
sounds like : a misfire caused by too narrow valve clearance..

madf


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Sun 13 Aug 2006 13:12
Ford Escort 1.3 HCS engine - backfiring? - mfarrow
sounds like : a misfire caused by too narrow valve clearance..


Thanks for the tip madf, and everyone else, but after a year, two gap resets and a valve grind, it's still doing it!

  • Compressions are between 8 and 10 kgf/m²

  • Primary coils both measure 0.8 ohms. Out of limits by 0.3 ohms but same as my spare coil

  • Secondary coils both around 14k ohms. Within limits (11-16k ohms) but less than spare coil (13k ohms)

  • Two plugs (unfortunately I'm not sure which!) have slight core corrosion. Other two have noticably whiter core nose but no core corrosion.


    • As I say, it still only happens under low rev open throttle conditions (~1000rpm).

    Any ideas?

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    Mike Farrow
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    Mon 2 Oct 2006 21:47
    Ford Escort 1.3 HCS engine - backfiring? - mfarrow
    Well it eventually got worse to the point when I replaced the spark plugs (only a year old mind you!) for NGK ones which improved things a lot, but was still there. Finally plunged for new HT leads from Fords, which incidently were the same price as the Halfords ones. Seems to have cured it, fingers crossed. That's the last time I'm buying branded HT leads which are cheaper than Halfords own!

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    Mike Farrow
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