Found a Ford Tempo Diesel
- Thread starter mechjames
- Start date
- Status
My mom bought an 85 Tempo for a few hundred bucks about 12-13 years ago. Never really gave us much trouble. A lower rad hose burst, a brake line blew (right in the middle of a move), the exhaust manifold was cracked and it needed a wheel bearing. Considering what she paid for it, it did well. Always started right up in the coldest weather when other, more modern cars wouldn't (this Tempo was carbureted) and went great in the snow. Oh, wait, I forgot about the weird alternator problem it had once. The internal regulator had shorted out or something so it was overcharging quite badly, but it made the car feel a lot more peppy! The difference was quite noticeable once the bad alternator was replaced.
I had an 88 5 speed Tempo I bought for 700 bucks right about 10 years ago. It was the car I learned to drive a stick shift on. I remember the first day driving it, being scared that I would roll backwards into someone when I pulled away from a stop light so I kept the engine revved up to like 3000 rpm and kept squawking the tires. I had to get a wheel bearing on the front right wheel replaced not long after I bought it. The part was cheap and it was cheap to have it put in. The mechanic told me if it was the inner bearing it would have cost a lot more to fix. I had the rear brakes let go a few times, thankfully my dad was able to fix it back up both times. Those were the only major problems I had with the car. It always started right up in the coldest weather (like my moms 85), it was pretty good on fuel and the the front seats were quite comfortable. I sold it later to a guy (he used to babysit me when I was a kid) who was learning to drive a stickshift. I heard that he blew the clutch a few months later.
I had an 88 5 speed Tempo I bought for 700 bucks right about 10 years ago. It was the car I learned to drive a stick shift on. I remember the first day driving it, being scared that I would roll backwards into someone when I pulled away from a stop light so I kept the engine revved up to like 3000 rpm and kept squawking the tires. I had to get a wheel bearing on the front right wheel replaced not long after I bought it. The part was cheap and it was cheap to have it put in. The mechanic told me if it was the inner bearing it would have cost a lot more to fix. I had the rear brakes let go a few times, thankfully my dad was able to fix it back up both times. Those were the only major problems I had with the car. It always started right up in the coldest weather (like my moms 85), it was pretty good on fuel and the the front seats were quite comfortable. I sold it later to a guy (he used to babysit me when I was a kid) who was learning to drive a stickshift. I heard that he blew the clutch a few months later.
Since you live in Canada, are you worried that it might be difficult to start when cold? I have heard that is one big reason why diesel cars were not so popular in North America.
There were also a few other vehicles that were sold with diesels in the USA:
The Chevette had a diesel option. Did it contribute to the decline of popularity of diesel cars in North America?
The Winnebago LeSharo had a diesel. It was one of the most hated RVs built.
Back when Peugot cars were sold in North America, there were optional diesel engines. However, I heard from owners that starting one in the winter was a huge hassle.
BMW sold a few diesels. They never became popular.
There were also a few other vehicles that were sold with diesels in the USA:
The Chevette had a diesel option. Did it contribute to the decline of popularity of diesel cars in North America?
The Winnebago LeSharo had a diesel. It was one of the most hated RVs built.
Back when Peugot cars were sold in North America, there were optional diesel engines. However, I heard from owners that starting one in the winter was a huge hassle.
BMW sold a few diesels. They never became popular.
The 1600 Escort diesel was based on the Kent block,I thought the 1800 was too,but have never pulled one apart to find out. The RF Mazda was a bit of a grenade - I once got 3 used engines from a dismantler before I found one that finally ran on 4 cyls after awhile. Very prone to cyl head cracking,like most small Japanese diesels. The RF was also used with the comprex supercharger ...just another thing to go wrong.
Ford also used the 2.3 Mitsubishi 4D55 in some vehicles...another problem engine,that was only slightly less of a problem as the 2.5 4D56 - and still made today in dohc and common rail.
Ford also used the 2.3 Mitsubishi 4D55 in some vehicles...another problem engine,that was only slightly less of a problem as the 2.5 4D56 - and still made today in dohc and common rail.
Originally Posted By: artificialist
Since you live in Canada, are you worried that it might be difficult to start when cold? I have heard that is one big reason why diesel cars were not so popular in North America.
He'll be fine. If it's in mechanically good condition, I doubt he'd ever have to even plug it in on Richmond's coldest days of the year.
Since you live in Canada, are you worried that it might be difficult to start when cold? I have heard that is one big reason why diesel cars were not so popular in North America.
He'll be fine. If it's in mechanically good condition, I doubt he'd ever have to even plug it in on Richmond's coldest days of the year.
how about some pics of it. at least it's a 5 speed
The main problem with Ford diesels in the Tempo, Escort, and Ranger is that these days parts are difficult to impossible to find. I know that the Ranger diesel used a different transmission than gas Rangers and if you have a tranny problem with one you're SOL.
Originally Posted By: JohnnyO
The main problem with Ford diesels in the Tempo, Escort, and Ranger is that these days parts are difficult to impossible to find. I know that the Ranger diesel used a different transmission than gas Rangers and if you have a tranny problem with one you're SOL.
Did you check Rock Auto? As I posted earlier, they have a lot of parts for it. Pretty much all the parts I could think to look for they had. I don't know if the transmission on this car is unique or not.
They have quite a few transmission parts like bearings. Here's an image:
The main problem with Ford diesels in the Tempo, Escort, and Ranger is that these days parts are difficult to impossible to find. I know that the Ranger diesel used a different transmission than gas Rangers and if you have a tranny problem with one you're SOL.
Did you check Rock Auto? As I posted earlier, they have a lot of parts for it. Pretty much all the parts I could think to look for they had. I don't know if the transmission on this car is unique or not.
They have quite a few transmission parts like bearings. Here's an image:
Just because they list part numbers, doesn't mean any warehouse actually has them in stock. I once looked (out of curiosity) if Napa offered parts for the Ranger diesel. They offer all kinds of parts like gaskets, piston rings, valves, etc, but when you try to actually order them hardly any warehouse has them in stock and they're basically impossible to get.
Originally Posted By: JohnnyO
The main problem with Ford diesels in the Tempo, Escort, and Ranger is that these days parts are difficult to impossible to find. I know that the Ranger diesel used a different transmission than gas Rangers and if you have a tranny problem with one you're SOL.
Not so much, good sir. I believe the RWD diesel transmission is a Mazda R gearbox, ie like used on the RX7 (while regular F150s used the M-box aka in ford land as M5OD). The Tempo probably uses the H25M-R box, FWD, found on 88-92 2.2L Turbo's and same box/diff. bellhousing as the Probe 3.0L Vulcan. Just requires a little bit of homework.
The main problem with Ford diesels in the Tempo, Escort, and Ranger is that these days parts are difficult to impossible to find. I know that the Ranger diesel used a different transmission than gas Rangers and if you have a tranny problem with one you're SOL.
Not so much, good sir. I believe the RWD diesel transmission is a Mazda R gearbox, ie like used on the RX7 (while regular F150s used the M-box aka in ford land as M5OD). The Tempo probably uses the H25M-R box, FWD, found on 88-92 2.2L Turbo's and same box/diff. bellhousing as the Probe 3.0L Vulcan. Just requires a little bit of homework.
Originally Posted By: artificialist
Since you live in Canada, are you worried that it might be difficult to start when cold? I have heard that is one big reason why diesel cars were not so popular in North America.
I've heard tempo diesels used an advanced glow plug system that also heated up the manifold really quickly, and that the wait to start time is only 3 seconds because of that.
People say if you are working under the hood, never have the ignition on, because if you accidentally put your hand on the manifold, you will burn yourself.
It will also never get colder then -5 C (23 F) here in the winter, we have 30 C (86 F) summers.
Originally Posted By: Silk
The RF Mazda was a bit of a grenade - I once got 3 used engines from a dismantler before I found one that finally ran on 4 cyls after awhile. Very prone to cyl head cracking,like most small Japanese diesels. The RF was also used with the comprex supercharger ...just another thing to go wrong.
This one doesn't have the supercharger. I have heard about the head issues, definitely don't want this one to overheat. It's a hobby car for me to DD, if it breaks down, I got my Jeep and Mustang
Originally Posted By: FXjohn
how about some pics of it. at least it's a 5 speed
Don't own the car or have been out to see it yet. It's a couple hours away all snowed in a little town that the plow hasn't gotten to yet.
Originally Posted By: JohnnyO
The main problem with Ford diesels in the Tempo, Escort, and Ranger is that these days parts are difficult to impossible to find. I know that the Ranger diesel used a different transmission than gas Rangers and if you have a tranny problem with one you're SOL.
Thats fine, rockauto has it all, or in other warehouses, if it has a couple weeks of downtime, I got my Jeep and Mustang to drive.
This one has a MTX transmission, seems like its not a rare transmission: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_MTX_transmission
Since you live in Canada, are you worried that it might be difficult to start when cold? I have heard that is one big reason why diesel cars were not so popular in North America.
I've heard tempo diesels used an advanced glow plug system that also heated up the manifold really quickly, and that the wait to start time is only 3 seconds because of that.
People say if you are working under the hood, never have the ignition on, because if you accidentally put your hand on the manifold, you will burn yourself.
It will also never get colder then -5 C (23 F) here in the winter, we have 30 C (86 F) summers.
Originally Posted By: Silk
The RF Mazda was a bit of a grenade - I once got 3 used engines from a dismantler before I found one that finally ran on 4 cyls after awhile. Very prone to cyl head cracking,like most small Japanese diesels. The RF was also used with the comprex supercharger ...just another thing to go wrong.
This one doesn't have the supercharger. I have heard about the head issues, definitely don't want this one to overheat. It's a hobby car for me to DD, if it breaks down, I got my Jeep and Mustang
Originally Posted By: FXjohn
how about some pics of it. at least it's a 5 speed
Don't own the car or have been out to see it yet. It's a couple hours away all snowed in a little town that the plow hasn't gotten to yet.
Originally Posted By: JohnnyO
The main problem with Ford diesels in the Tempo, Escort, and Ranger is that these days parts are difficult to impossible to find. I know that the Ranger diesel used a different transmission than gas Rangers and if you have a tranny problem with one you're SOL.
Thats fine, rockauto has it all, or in other warehouses, if it has a couple weeks of downtime, I got my Jeep and Mustang to drive.
This one has a MTX transmission, seems like its not a rare transmission: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_MTX_transmission
I owned a 84 Tempo and a 85 Escort wagon(both at the same time) with the 2.0 diesel. I got 45 local and 52 hyw. The Escort went 300K when the body gave it up. and the Tempo was sold with 140K. Reliable engines but hard to repair. I learned to do all the engine work including head gasket replacement and injector pump repair. Not much power but pulled very well. Used M1 10-30 with 10K OCI. I also changed both oil filters at every OCI. 7 qt oil sump.
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: tig1
I owned a 84 Tempo and a 85 Escort wagon(both at the same time) with the 2.0 diesel. I got 45 local and 52 hyw. The Escort went 300K when the body gave it up. and the Tempo was sold with 140K. Reliable engines but hard to repair. I learned to do all the engine work including head gasket replacement and injector pump repair. Not much power but pulled very well. Used M1 10-30 with 10K OCI. I also changed both oil filters at every OCI. 7 qt oil sump.
I would not have expected anything less tig........
I owned a 84 Tempo and a 85 Escort wagon(both at the same time) with the 2.0 diesel. I got 45 local and 52 hyw. The Escort went 300K when the body gave it up. and the Tempo was sold with 140K. Reliable engines but hard to repair. I learned to do all the engine work including head gasket replacement and injector pump repair. Not much power but pulled very well. Used M1 10-30 with 10K OCI. I also changed both oil filters at every OCI. 7 qt oil sump.
I would not have expected anything less tig........
Originally Posted By: tig1
... 7 qt oil sump.
I didn't know those little buggers held 7qts of oil? That's pretty impressive.
... 7 qt oil sump.
I didn't know those little buggers held 7qts of oil? That's pretty impressive.
My grandparents had a Mercury Topaz and I got to drive it a lot. As much as I wanted to like their '83 Crown Victoria LTD better (because it had a V-8), the Topaz was far more fun to drive. I guess that's my first introduction to smaller cars, that Topaz. They never had many problems out of theirs, and I liked the motorized seat belts because they were "cool" at the time.
Fun little car to bump around in. It must have been a '90 model or thereabouts.
Fun little car to bump around in. It must have been a '90 model or thereabouts.
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
My grandparents had a Mercury Topaz and I got to drive it a lot.... the Topaz was far more fun to drive.
Yes! My parents had a Topaz in the 1980's when I was in high school. I drove it a lot. IIRC, it was a 1986. Dark grey with a maroon interior. It actually had an extremely comfortable, quiet and decent quality interior. It was a nice driving car.
Joel
My grandparents had a Mercury Topaz and I got to drive it a lot.... the Topaz was far more fun to drive.
Yes! My parents had a Topaz in the 1980's when I was in high school. I drove it a lot. IIRC, it was a 1986. Dark grey with a maroon interior. It actually had an extremely comfortable, quiet and decent quality interior. It was a nice driving car.
Joel
- Status
Similar threads
