1989 Ford Orion LX from UK and Ireland - Comments

The main problem I have had is a water leak which gathers on the rear drivers side floor. I still cannot find where this is coming from. My boot also has a leak in it.

I had a major problem with the car jerking, then cutting out, but would start again as if nothing was wrong. The carburettor was replaced, but the fault continued. A second carburettor was installed and it has not happened since.

The engine fails to warm up quickly.

The car is 13 years old, but doesn't look out-dated. Having looked at newer Escorts and Orion's, I feel that my Orion looks better inside and out.

The car when warm can be quite fast off the mark and can handle the pace at faster speeds.

As I am the person who wrote the original review, I am commenting on it to say that I have found the place (s) it is leaking from:-

Rear Screen - reason for water on passenger side floor,

Rear Light Clusters - reason for water in boot, and,

Bung from Bumper Light going into Boot - wasn't fitted correctly, reason for water in boot.

The Ford Orion is notorious for leaking as I remember my Dads 1.6i Ghia being exactly the same.

I have found that the reason that the engine breather pipes become blocked is because the engine oil requires to be changed quite often. Regular oil changes also prevents cam wear.

I have also found that rust gathers in wheel arches because of mud, etc, gathering under them. I have just run a flat-head screwdriver around them to remove this dirt.

Thank god you answered your leak problem.

I have an orion 1.3 and have the same leaks, it appears as though it is coming from the rear window and running down the back of the seats to the passenger foot well. (i put a rag where I thought the leak was running too and it became saturated)

Also I have another leak in the boot which must be coming from the lights.

Anyone know how to fix an oil leak from crank shaft pulley even thought the seal has been replaced numerous times?

With regards to the car cutting out, I wrote the review on the 1987 Biscayne, It is the carburettor jets clogging up, take the air cleaner out and look down the center of the twin air intakes. In the center there should be 4 screw type things, unscrew them and clean them out one at a time, then put them back in the same place that they were screwed into, should solve it.

Good review, being a orion lover, i know all the things that make em leak!your right on the rear lights, and rear screen, but also the rear door seals can cause water in the rear floors!good reivew, car deserves much respect, thank you.