2001 Ford Escort 2001 Ford Focus stalls out

Tiny
ACEHAVRE
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 FORD ESCORT
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 74,000 MILES
The car just had the head gasket replaced, the engine block and head were machined. New thermostat. The car ran fine but 2 weeks later the car will stall out when coming to a stop after the engine has warmed to operating temperatures (about 10 min of driving). The temperature gage is in the center. We have replaced the plugs, wires, ignition coil assy, air filter, pcv hose. We have a new pcv plug on order. I have searched the net and read about the throttle plates dirty, but not sure where they are at or how to clean them. Any advise would be appreciated.
Thursday, May 28th, 2009 AT 11:00 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,123 POSTS
https://www.2carpros.com/how_to/how_to_tune_up.htm

You need to find out what is dropping out...fuel can be checked with gauge that is run out to the windsheild and monitored when the stalling occurs. A hand held computer would be nice as well to check the freeze frame data for when the problem occurs. The codes should be checked to see if there are any clues.

Check all of the pcv hoses for any that are collapsed, weak, oily cracked etc.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, May 30th, 2009 AT 6:08 AM
Tiny
ACEHAVRE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Fuel pressure is good. We replaced the idle control relay assy and the throttle position sensor. We cleaned the throttle body prior to replacing. The pcv valve and pcv tubing has been replaced. We reset the codes on the car. Drove it until the problem resurfaced. Went to our nearest orileys and the car show no codes. We looked at all lines and cannot see any with problems. If I had to describe the problem I would say that it was like drving a car with a manual transmission and starting in 3rd or 4th gear from a stop light. It shutters and dies. We have popped the car into neutral when approaching a stop, but once it is warm enoiugh (mid range) the car still dies. Any other ideas?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, June 4th, 2009 AT 2:55 PM
Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,123 POSTS
Fuel pressure is good when the problem happens?

IF the problem is not present, it will show good.

Just want to clarify that.

What brand of plug did you use and what did you gap them at?

Recheck the timing.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, June 4th, 2009 AT 5:44 PM
Tiny
ACEHAVRE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Yes, was aware of the fuel - ok when problem occurs. We bought the plugs from O'Riley and I believe they were thier premium brand and we gapped them at.5 It still bothers me it is only when it heats up that the problem occurs - is there any vacum lines that are enabled when the car reaches operating temperature? I ask this because we pulled the PCV hose off and it immediately dies out - similiar to when we are having this problem.
Would timing be a problem if it runs fine when cold?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, June 5th, 2009 AT 2:32 PM
Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,123 POSTS
I would recheck the gap. Not sure which 2.0 you have but both are different and not.050"

The plugs pull heat from the cylinders. The wrong ones (bosch splitfire fer shur) are a problem. Aside from from crap.

Sorry, had a xp glitch and lost my post.

Quickie summmation LOL.

Get the codes from the ECM.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, June 5th, 2009 AT 9:02 PM
Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,123 POSTS
Timing and temperature should not conflict.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, June 5th, 2009 AT 9:03 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Engine Stall While Driving Content

How to Read Codes
VIDEO
How to Read Codes
Instructional repair video
Engine Stalls While Driving
GUIDE
Engine Stalls While Driving
An engine that stalls while driving and then starts back up again, either immediately or after a short time is different from an engine that just wont start or if the...
VIEW MORE