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Engine shakes/almost stalls when idle, and has a hard time acceleratin
Sent to Car Experts June 13 02:44 PM

I have a 1993 Ford Escort, manual. When ever I get to a stop light, the car idles hard - shakes and shivers. Then when I put it in to first gear and give it some gas, the car sometimes almost stalls. It's like it doesn't have the umph, and something is snagging and not letting it go all the way. It then proceeds to shake a bit, but once I get it in to 3rd or 4rth gear, it runs smoothly. I had the timing belt replaced about a month ago.

 

Optional Information:
1993 Ford Escort 1.9L

Already Tried:
Timing belt was replaced

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $15
Info Request
June 13 2:56 PM (11 minutes and 10 seconds later)
         
REPLIED to Info RequestCheck Mark

Did the problem began immediatly after the timming belt?

What was the reason the belt was replaced? (maintenace or belt broke)

How many miles are on this vehicle?

PictureRIP -- Lead Technician -- 100% Positive Feedback on 2107 Car Accepts
A.S.E. Master Technician, Advanced Level, Smog - European, Domestic, & Asian -- Car Category Mentor
Reply
June 13 2:59 PM (3 minutes and 18 seconds later)
         
Reply to RIP's Post: The problem has just occured recently. I had the belt replaced about two months ago. It was replaced because the belt broke on me on the highway haha.

I've got 97,000 miles on it so far.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Info Request
June 13 3:11 PM (12 minutes and 11 seconds later)
         
REPLIED to Info RequestCheck Mark

If you give it gas while the problem is occuring, does this keep it idling "normal?"

Has the Check Engine Lamp illuminated since?

PictureRIP -- Lead Technician -- 100% Positive Feedback on 2107 Car Accepts
A.S.E. Master Technician, Advanced Level, Smog - European, Domestic, & Asian -- Car Category Mentor
Reply
June 13 3:15 PM (4 minutes and 8 seconds later)
         
Reply to RIP's Post: Yes, when I am sitting at the stop light, I give it some gas to rev up the engine, and it idels normally for a bit, but then starts to shudder again.

The check engine light has come on a couple of times, after I start to accelerate, not when I am idle.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
June 13 3:25 PM (9 minutes and 29 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark

Since the lamp is comming on, the engin's computer will need to be scanned at a repair facility with the equipment to do so. Diagnostic computer control codes take priority on testing. I believe you may have a failing EGR valve. The valve opens during acceleration and closes at idle, if the valve were to not close fully at idle the engine would recieve too much EGR and can stall or idle rough and very low. It might be the valve itself, but it can also be the computer control system, so a code needs to be pulled. If your working on this yourself, have the code retrieved and I can give you specific instructions on testing the sytem it is indicating has failed.

-Rip



Please click on "ACCEPT" if I was helpful-or if you still need assistance just reply, before leaving any feedback thanks
PictureRIP -- Lead Technician -- 100% Positive Feedback on 2107 Car Accepts
A.S.E. Master Technician, Advanced Level, Smog - European, Domestic, & Asian -- Car Category Mentor
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