1987 Ford Tempo GL 2.3L. HSO from North America

Summary:

A great performer for an economical car

Faults:

There was a recall made in '89 on some of the fuel injector parts. The problem was noticed in '98, and Ford covered all the costs and even replaced the catalytic converter for free!

I have had both of the wheel-hub bearings go out, but only after about 155,000 miles.

The 3rd gear transmission bearing is currently going out, but I have driven it like a Ferrari since I got it at 114,000 miles.

The front-main oil seal has gone out; slinging oil all over the right side of the engine compartment, and the belts.

I have replaced both of the headlamp assemblies (due to natural "yellow" discoloration, common with the plastic used to manufacture the lenses).

I have replaced the heater core & the heater motor.

I have had to replace the entire clutch assembly 2 times due to my nature of driving the car. Don't buy a cheap clutch assembly for the replacement. I tried that one already. It came out less than a year later in 3 pieces!!! I now have a racing clutch in it and have had no problems, going on 3 years now!!!

I have had a re-occurring problem with the driver's seat frame & slider assembly cracking, but I weigh 220 lbs.

I have noticed that the steering column bolts have a tendency to come loose and allow the steering wheel to move/wobble to the left.

I have noticed that the idler speed motor that controls the engine's idle does not always allow the engine to return to the preferred 700-850 RPM idle range. It sometimes hangs around 1500-1700 RPM from time to time.

I have had to replace the transmission mounts once & and the oil pan gasket once.

At about 180,000 miles, the water pump idler tensioner pulley seized, causing the belt to burn and shred.

I had the entire exhaust replaced at about 140k - 150,000 miles.

General Comments:

This car has the VIN number designation of "S" for the engine, which is HSO (Higher Specific Output). Meaning that it has the hottest cam that was offered for the engine and year.

I race it all the time on the boulevard. I lose a lot, but I beat a lot of cars as well. Some of its victims include Eclipses and Civics.

It is an old car, and old cars require maintenance from time to time. All in all, a great and well built car. I drive it to the edge of its limits every day, and it just keeps taking the abuse and going strong!!! I love this car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th October, 2002

5th Jan 2003, 12:44

I agree-it just keeps going and going and going!

Along with your suggestion of not replacing with a cheap clutch, the same goes for water pumps.

1987 Ford Tempo GL 2.3 EFI 4 cylinder. from North America

Summary:

Ultimate learning automobile, because you can do the work yourself.

Faults:

So far, the only thing that has gone wrong with it is the headlights have long been yellowed, and I was forced by my local police to purchase fog lights. Other than that, nothing has been a problem for me.

General Comments:

Nobody has anything on my Tempo GL, and the chicks dig my "Baby Blue" paint job. This car is a dream to own if you like to work on your own car, and not pass it on to a mechanic. I wish though that I had an AWD version. If anyone has one that they are willing to get rid of, contact me. By the way, the "GL" stands for good luck, not get laid. Sorry.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th October, 2002

1987 Ford Tempo L 2.3L from North America

Summary:

Cheap, worthless garbage, easily expected from older Fords

Faults:

I replaced the alternator 3 times.

I replaced the battery.

I replaced an alternator harness.

The radio stopped working.

I replaced the CV joints and boots TWICE.

The floor carpeting and upholstery was torn to shreds.

I replaced the idle bearings.

I replaced the exhaust manifold.

I replaced the muffler and exhaust pipes that had rusted through.

The rear window leaked and rotted out my rear seat.

I replaced the tie rods.

I lost all of my power brake fluid and needed to replace the rear brake calipers that leaked.

The air conditioning didn't work since I bought it.

The power steering pump leaked and whined even after I filled it repeatedly.

The driver's side floorboard was rusted through.

It leaked oil.

My radiator didn't hold a drop of antifreeze, so I had to add water every time I drove it.

My cooling fan only came on when I popped the hood and hit it.

Acceleration was about that of a loaded down freight train.

Gas mileage was pathetic.

The power steering belt that ran the alternator snapped right off the dealer's lot.

The radiator hoses blew repeatedly.

AND FINALLY... The heater core leaked, causing my windows to ice up about an inch thick from the humidity it caused.

General Comments:

Let's just say, that on the nice summer day, when the Tempo was T-boned after a woman ran through a stop sign, I celebrated.

I was able to squeeze 2000 dollars from insurance, and purchase a minty 1991 Hyundai Sonata GL, that has given me no greater problems than a fouled out spark plug that cost me about a buck!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 28th April, 2002

10th May 2002, 12:13

I have owned a ford tempo since 1990 and not a thing has gone wrong. I think you bought a piece of junk. I paid 275$ for my car and it runs sounds beautiful. Only thing wrong is my radio don't work. Josh.

26th Feb 2004, 21:28

>> I replaced the alternator 3 times.

I would consider a different parts source.

>> I replaced the battery.

That is like saying ‘I have to put gas in it every week’.

>> I replaced an alternator harness.

You have me there. Stranger things have happened.

>> The radio stopped working.

Was it stock? It’s 17 years old. Maybe the ground is bad.

>> I replaced the CV joints and boots TWICE.

When you return the core, they take your one good joint, (there are two on an axle, and generally only one is bad), and pair it with someone else’s one good joint. Then they resell it. It’s your bad luck. I have had a similar joint fail a month past the warranty period. The second replacement lasted more than 100,000 miles.

>> The floor carpeting and upholstery was torn to shreds.

Sounds like a slob owned the car before you did. That should have been a tip as to the general condition of the vehicle.

>> I replaced the idle bearings.

Which are next to the muffler bearings???

>> I replaced the exhaust manifold.

You have me there. Probably should not have happened.

>> I replaced the muffler and exhaust pipes that had rusted through.

They do that. However, it is a shame that stainless was not used, as on the Escort.

>> The rear window leaked and rotted out my rear seat.

That’s your fault. Should have fixed it. It’s not hard.

>> I replaced the tie rods.

This is a sore point. The tie rods tend to fail frequently. But they are cheap, if a pain, to replace.

>> I lost all of my power brake fluid and needed to replace the rear brake calipers that leaked.

It does not have rear calipers, they are ‘wheel cylinders’. The rebuild kits cost about $7 and both could be rebuilt before lunch.

>> The air conditioning didn't work since I bought it.

I like to drive with the windows down anyway.

>> The power steering pump leaked and whined even after I filled it repeatedly.

That’s because the lines are rusted through. I feel for you there – it’s a pain. But it is 17 years old.

>> The driver's side floorboard was rusted through.

Rust happens.

>> It leaked oil.

From where? Fix it.

>> My radiator didn't hold a drop of antifreeze so I had to add water every time I drove it.

The previous owner probably did not change the coolant regularly. Even so, 17 years is about the limit.

>> My cooling fan only came on when I popped the hood and hit it.

Fix the broken wire or replace the fan. They are cheap.

>> Acceleration was about that of a loaded down freight train.

It’s not a race car. However, I think you have other problems that are affecting performance.

>> Gas mileage was pathetic.

See above.

>> The power steering belt that ran the alternator snapped right off the dealer's lot.

Remind me never to buy anything from this dealer.

>> The radiator hoses blew repeatedly.

The same one, or a different one? Maybe you have a cracked head that is pressurizing the cooling system. A cracked head could be caused by overheating. For example, the cooling fan might not be working.

>> AND FINALLY... The heater core leaked causing my windows to ice up about an inch thick from the humidity it caused.

For the same reason the radiator is shot.

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>> I was able to squeeze 2000 dollars from insurance, and purchase a minty 1991 Hyundai Sonata GL, that has given me no greater problems than a fouled out spark plug that cost me about a buck!

I hate to say it, but spark plugs don’t just foul out. It’s a symptom of a larger problem.

1st Jun 2007, 08:19

Great comment... read your long review on the 94. Question for you... Have you ever had to replace an Intake Manifold for leaks? My 1994 has a loud roaring noise on acceleration. I have been told it is the Manifold. Is this true? The car only has 38000 miles and most issues with it have been for lack of use, as it was my mother's car, who drove maybe 1000 miles a year or so.