1991 Ford Escort S (Sport) EFi from UK and Ireland - Comments

Bought the car privately with full service history but a full service was required straight away, as were new discs and pads up front and drums and lines at the rear, and a new clutch (cost £400).

Next I needed new tyres for my Ford RS Alloys (MK5 RS2000 jobs), Yokahama A520's (Cost £160).

A few months later the battery kept draining, this was solved by a new alternator (cost £120).

A few months later the engine started to sound like a bag of nails, a new camshaft, followers and belt solved this (cost £200).

Another full service (every 6000 miles) was due as was my MOT, this revealed that a new steering rack was required, as was a new front wishbone (cost £350).

Nothing recently has gone wrong, but I should get some new rear springs as it keeps hitting its bump stops when I go over speed humps.

Generally this car has been fairly reliable despite all the parts required discovered during services (a good sign for anybody buying a new car, make sure it has a full service history).

The car itself has the CVH EFi (108bhp) engine from the MK4 XR3i but in the nicer looking MK5 shell (it is also only Group 8-9 insurance).

I was fairly happy with the performance when I first bought the car (a step up from an 18 year old 1.3 Escort) but to get the best from the car you have to push it hard. The top speed isn't too great either, I've only had 115mph tops although the car is often going faster than you think, it handles fairly well and with the wider tyres there is loads of grip.

The only faults I have is the very heavy steering (no PAS) and the poor fuel economy (25mpg average, partly my fault) as well as some minor electical faults.

I recommend it to anybody who wants something different and faster than a Nova, put your baseball caps away and take your blacked out windows, three spoke alloys, touring car sun stripes, shiny fuel filler caps and dodgy stickers with you.

I also drive a sport EFI on a h plate and I am truly in love with the cars looks (i have heavily modded it) but it could be a lot faster.

I too have an escort s and it is my first car and I get under half the insurance I would get with an XR3i, but can still leave them behind (thanks to a few minor mods). An induction kit and exhaust will only set you back about £150 and it makes all the difference in acceleration and the sound is ace!!

I also own a sport EFi, and on the whole I'm pleased with the car, despite the repairs I've had to do.

However, I'm still having starting problems with mine. Any suggestions? (Bearing in mind I've replaced the alternator and starter motor. The battery has also been tested twice, and both times proved to be OK, with no wires earthing out anywhere).

Have you made sure that the ignition timing is spot on and that the fuel injectors are in good condition, also is the fuel pump working, you should be able to put the ignition on and hear a buzzing, if not then the relay has gone, which is about £15, under the dash. Let us know if it works or what else you did to rectify the fault.

Author of original review:

I have just encountered starting problems, this first happened after a long drive (120 miles), it got to my destination fine, but when it was time to leave it just wouldn't fire up. I had recently had a new battery and alternator and I could here the starter motor trying to crank the engine. Eventually I got it tow started and returned home (120 miles) without a problem. The next day after just leaving my house I stopped to pick up a friend and the engine stalled, it wouldn't turn over again or tow start. My mechanic checked the car and found that the fuel pump was not turning on when the ignition was, they replaced the relay for this and everything seemed fine. The next time I filled up with fuel (a few hundred miles later) it wouldn't start again, I called my mechanic again and they checked the relay, and again tried tow starting to no avail. I left it with my mechanic and they scratched their heads for a week and put the cause of the problem down to the fuse board, this part would cost about £300 plus VAT new so they tried to source a second hand part, but as this model is quite rare they couldn't find one. They have now bypassed this and linked the fuel pump directly with the ignition. All fine for now. Although my car has relatively low mileage (78k), a full service history, still looks good and I still enjoy driving it, the amount of problems I have encountered has made me want to sell it.

I have a Ford Escort 1800 Lxi,1993 - I have also just had problems where a few days ago the car fired up, but then cut out straight away, although this always happens when the accelerator is flat to the floor when starting it never happens when the accelerator pedal is gently lowered although this time it did cut out on gentle depression. I got a tow start which done the job and got the beast running. The next morning it started fine, and on my way home from work that evening.

After about 20 miles the car cut out and although I attempted to put it in gear and restart the engine (I know it's a bit dodgy with a cat converter) the car did start, but did not have any power when the accelerator was pressed. I have since checked the injection cut off switch which was still fine and removed the fuel relay which I tried replacing with two new ones. (This still didn't engage the fuel pump when the ignition was switched on.) I used a different type of fuse that did start the fuel pump, but left it constantly running. This tells me the pump is working, the circuit board is working, but theres something wrong with the correct relay fuse? any help?

I have just brought a escort sport and the wiring loom looks the same as a fiesta turbo does anyone know if this is a straight forward swap or is a loom conversion needed please help.

Great car good accelaration good looking sporty, but also had electrical problems, bad starter cold, but great when warm. Think it could be distributor think it could be one and two not sparking right, will try new distributor will return with news by the way had 122mph out of my escort sport blew away modified corsa haha.