Picking up a '96 Escort next week -- suggestions?

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I used to have that 96 LX (1.9L) back in 2003 (After I bought, I wish I got the GT model which has 1.8L DOHC ). I used it for 11 months and the engine died on me ( one of piston broke!! not from the motor oil though. I think after I sent it to the shop to get the timing belt done. I assumed they didn't align the cam shaft and crank shaft right)

Anyway, I bought it used (approx. 90000 mi on it) I used Castrol Synthetic (0W-30 a.k.a. German Castrol) I think the car itself has less maintenance issue. It uses electronic ignition coil so you don't have to worry when starting the car in the winter or anything. It is not a fast car but it is durable :D

But only one thing!!! if you want to do timing belt job... choose the right shop to do it.
 
I used to have a 95 1.9 5spd. that I commuted to tech school in. Had 63,000miles on it when I bought it, and 167,000 on it when my ex totaled it. Thing ran like a top the entire time though. The timing belt had a few teeth tear off at 111,000miles, but it was my fault, it was the original yet, and I was beating the [censored] out of it that night. The timing belt is easy to do though. Only thing that gave me a problem other than that was the alternator quit on me once. Oh, and the rear coil springs tend to break where they sit in the bottom "cup" on the strut. They rust out from the all the road salt and dirt that collects in there. I drove around like that for quite awhile though without knowing they were broke. I beat the heck out of that car though, and it took everything I could throw at it.
 
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
If you change the belt [good idea] , change the pulleys also.
Just do it.
5-30 is your best oil viscosity choice.
Fresh trans oil is always good.
Watch out for rust at the strut tower tops in the rear.


Wise advice.
I'd add a waterpump too if the TB belt is being done.
 
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