1997 Ford Escort won't start

1997 FORD ESCORT
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JUNIOR_2K3
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Hi I own a 97 Ford Escort sedan 2.0l recently the alternator went and i replaced it and car was running fine until i was driving to work on the way i was going about 30mph and it was acting sluggish all of a sudden like it was in a high gear and it wouldn't accelerate. it went away quick and i parked it at work when i came out it wouldn't start. I would turn the key and it would just click i assumed it was the starter or the battery. I towed the car home and checked and found out it was the starter. I replaced the starter and went to start it and wouldn't start i crankde and pumped the gas and it started but barely and rattled like a cylinder wasn't working and blue smoke came out the exhaust. I didn't know what it could be so i checked the spark plugs and noticed the 4th cylinder spark plug was missing the electrode and the stem was a little bent like it was hit by the cylinder. Now i heard that in most cases in that case the electrode would just blow through the exhuast so i replaced the spark plug and tried starting it but nothing. It seems like its not getting fuel but i'm not sure and suggestions?

-Junior
Sep 23, 2006 at 11:00 AM
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NOS
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not good ! it has been awhile on one of thoes
1. it realy sounds to me like your timing belt has jumped a couple teeth and that is not good if this has happened, the valves open at the wrong time and the pistons hit the valves bending them and then you have compression.
2. that plug missing the electrode. it is very posible that it did not pass through and is stuck under a valve seat and again no compression. and that is why the car wouldn't accelerate.
3. Best advise that i can give you is pull all the plugs get a compression guage and take compression reading on all cyclinders write down your findings. but in all honisty it don't sound good(NOS) :( 8)
Sep 23, 2006 at 2:27 PM
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JUNIOR_2K3
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Yeah when it started driving sluggish for a moment and hard to accelerate it was normal and i drove for about 5 mins after that also it has done that a few time where it has acted sluggish and the service engine light flashed. The plug must have happened from repeatedly trying to start the car after the starter was replaced. I was told the timing belt might be out form the spark plug not firing in that cylinder. It's at the Ford dealer waiting to be looked at hopefully its nothing to major or too expensive otherwise it might not be worth fixing. Thanks for the advice though.
Sep 23, 2006 at 6:00 PM
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NOS
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if you took it to a dealer it will be expensive. unless you know them and they cut you a break. but in any case your welcome glad to help. if i helped you at all leave a post for BOB and Ken stating so,so that the can keep this site open.(NOS)
Sep 23, 2006 at 11:38 PM
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