1988 Ford Escort CL from Finland - Comments

Rust, rust and rust! Bodywork was terrible bad.

Starting was very bad, jump starting was almost everyday "fun".

Don't ever buy a Ford Escort with 1.6 diesel engine...

This is not right, the Ford 1.6 diesel engine is one of the best engines ever built. I have covered over 250,000 miles with one of these engines, they are bulletproof.

Poor starting is caused by using a battery that is meant for a petrol and does not have the cranking amps and cheap glow plugs. In all the 14 years of running these engines I've never took a head off, only starters and alternator were replaced. As for starter motors, reconditioned units are crap, get a Genuine ford. It's worth the extra £50.

As for the Ford Escort car, these are crap anyway. Don't judge an engine by its cover.

Scot C

Diesel mechanic, UK

PS. stay away from the 1.8 D, these belong in Escort shells as they are total garbage, what was Ford up to?

I agree, the 1.6 d wasn't too bad, just a bit tractor-like. It wasn't too slow but was very noisy on the motorway. Only broke down once, when the battery went flat. Smoky on cold mornings, but no worse than any other older diesel.

Scot C says that the 1.8 diesel engine is total garbage. What about this: I have covered over 300.000 kilometres with my '89 ford escort 1.8D, without any problems. It's noisy on cold starts though, but I never had to take the head off. Only regular changing the cam-belt is important. By the way: the 1.8 diesel engine is based on the 1.6 diesel engine, so what the hell are you talking about!

Hi, I own Ford Escort 1,6 d from 1987. station wagon, and I'm thrilled with it. I cover with him 456 000 km, and it still going, I had only three big fixes on it. I now drive another car and my son is taking care of Escort and he is thrilled, it's cheap to care about it. Ford Escort 1,6 d is my best car ever.

Hello.

You are right, ford escort 1.6 D is the best car I have owned. The body dies with short time but the engine is better than anything. Almost 60 mpg and starts in winter with half of a second after being left to stand for three months. And no smoke. Even those common rails can't beat this. Besides it is a bulletproof engine, it works with diesel, vegetable oil, biodiesel, with anything. If you own it do not sell it at any cost.