1998 Ford Escort Engine cooling Problems

“At 123,00mi I noticed water leaking form behind water pump took it to Ford dealer and they had to replace the water pump housing part #f8rz-8501-en it had eroded from the inside out resulting in a pinhole leak I also had the water pump, timing belt replased just in caseat a cost of 625 dollars. 13 months and 33,000mi later same problem with water pump housing eroding for inside out of corse it was out of warranty and the timing belt was failing do to a seized idler cost to repair 700 dollars. …”

“There have been many problems with my 1998 Ford Escort since I purchased it new in august, 1998. The most severe and recent problem was repaired in december, 2002. The head gasket blew, causing major overheating problems in my vehicle. The vehicle had less than 40,000 miles. I am not certain if the head gasket became faulty while vehicle was being built, or if fullerton Ford damaged the gasket while doing work on my vehicle, and then attempted to sodder the part together. According to corbo's auto service in somerville, the gasket had a soddered hole in it which caused the gasket to blow. …”

“Dt: 1998 Ford Escort. The consumer took the vehicle to dealer to be serviced, and the service department noticed the rear coil springs were broken , approximately 1 turns from the top. The consumer contacted Ford, and they told him the part was not under warranty. The coil springs were replaced. There had been no noticeable problems before this. The caplipers were replaced due them being frozen. The crank pulley and serpentine belt were replace.”

“Dampner pulley came apart from crankshaft. Inside wall of vehicle was the only thing keeping it from falling out onto the ground. I notified Ford company that a 3 year old vehicle should not have parts falling off. They informed me that there was nothing they could do since the warranty had ran out. I am very unhappy with the attitude they have towards their customers.”

“The engine mounts were apparently weakened and allowed the engine to vibrate excessively, beginning at the time of vehicle purchase and continuing, growing worse, through april 2000, when I had the parts replaced under warranty; I was told that there is a TSB involving them but no recall and no public notice... This could potentially be dangerous if the weakened mounts break! My problem has been solved but I would like to have had some warning from Ford or NHTSA that this might occur.”