Any suggestions about cause of problem with 1999 ford escort se?

  • Thread starter Thread starter syne
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syne

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I was at a stop light and my car sort of stuttered and jerked one time, then as I continued there were quiet pops coming from it seemed, below my feet and to the front, near the engine. I pulled into the next parking lot and it continued to make quiet popping sounds when in idling in park. The pops didn't seem to have an obvious timing pattern, but maybe because I was speeding up and stopping, and turning. I turned it off because I didn't want to risk driving home again. Now it will not turn on. It turns makes noise and wants to start, I almost thought I had it a few times, but its missing something. The tow truck driver said its getting sparks and fuel, but no compression. He suggested blown head gasket or skipped timing belt.

What it did NOT do: smoke, overheat, no real loss of power (I kept up to the next stop light), no check engine light, no oil lights, no more sputtering/jerking after first incident.

Any ideas what happened? I towed it home and don't know what to do. Its a 1999 ford escort 2.0 SOHC engine. It has 160k miles, and for the last 80k miles I've only replaced the serpentine belt, oil, radiator coolant, tires, battery, brakes, rotors, plugs, plug wires, and filters.

Any suggestions? I don't need a car too badly because I lost my job, but it would be nice to have. I'm going to use all your insights and call around to repair shops and price stuff out, because it seems I have more time than money.

Thank you!!!
 
I like the tow truck drivers answer- timing belt! Long over due and probably lost a few teeth.
 
The pops are gas igniting in your catalytic converter or muffler. The car is running rich. Try getting new spark plugs, and check the gap too. I think that the gap was bad on the plugs when you put them in. That should do it.
 
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