Dave.Wilson Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 Hi all,Well, as some of you know I was (and have been for a while) in the process of buying a MK3 Escort Cabriolet, but every time I went to collect and check it out there was a fault... which is sort of understandable as the car had been sitting un-used for 8 years before being bought up, tidied up and put through an MOT before I bought it.Well, after finally getting it working the car AGAIN developed a fault last week while I was driving over to collect it... it runs (which is better than it was) but it's running lumpy and keeps stalling... the guy selling it (who is also a very good friend before anyone thinks I'm being knocked) was trying to fix it, taking parts off his show-condition XR3i to see which one got it running... but after a couple more hours of him getting covered in grease, oil and a bit of petrol while I watched bemused, it still wouldn't have it.Although disappointing that it's not running when we are having the biggest and longest heat wave this country has seen in a while, I didn't lose hope, or faith... so rather than shopping on eBay for a replacement (which I couldn't find with mileage as low as 49k with history to prove) I'm buying the car anyway, at a discounted rate, with a 'lumpy' engine.I've lined up a mate who has a garage with so many tools that it would make Edd China jealous... he's willing to come over, help me strip the whole thing part by part and put it all back together again to find out exactly what is wrong (although he thinks he knows and it sounds simple) and all I have to do is supply him with beer while he's there, bargain!!Although I was looking forward to uploading photos of me in my MK3 cabby in brilliant sunshine, at least I will learn more about the car and the engine (as I'm more of a driver than a mechanic) and it also gives me some time to take panels off and get them touched up while we try to repair the engine.... worst case scenario it will be ripped out and a Zetec turbo put in its place... but the car is completely original and I really want to keep it that way.So, keep your fingers crossed for me fellow Cabby fans... and I will keep you all in the loop on its progress! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RScab Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 you'll get there m8 not that bad to sort out the old CVH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave.Wilson Posted July 16, 2013 Author Share Posted July 16, 2013 Thanks mate. Would be great if I can get it working... Driving it will feel a lot more special after getting my hands dirty, rather than just buying it and not knowing anything. I know where to come if I need advice/help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave.Wilson Posted July 18, 2013 Author Share Posted July 18, 2013 The Cabby (nicknamed 'Bluey') arrives tonight... on the back of a lorry.... I will upload some pictures of it when I get the chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave.Wilson Posted July 26, 2013 Author Share Posted July 26, 2013 Update on the Cabby: At first we (me & my mechanic friend) thought it might be something simple to fix that had been overlooked... but on further investigation it was only running on 3 cylinders... the worst was feared, a cracked piston... the engine was stripped down, but luckily they were fine... it's now just a process of elimination as to exactly what is wrong... I was told it possibly be a sticky valve (as the car didn't move for 8 years) but if not then it could possibly be terminal The top end has now been taken away to be looked at more closely and my cabby now currently sits in my garage with no bonnet and half the engine missing. I was really hoping to get it all up and running ready for a trip to the Ford Fair, then have it tidied up for the Ford Event in Holland... but that's looking less and less likely now. If I could work out how to attach a photo to this I would let you see my sorry car sitting there without an engine... but have no idea how to do this. Will keep updating this when the top end returns to me Tuesday... keep your fingers crossed for a speedy recovery!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaz Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 Hope it all work out for you mate, there is nothing better than a behaving mk3. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave.Wilson Posted July 31, 2013 Author Share Posted July 31, 2013 Thanks Chaz, Put the engine back together last night with some shiny new parts.... but the bloody thing wouldn't start... it came close, but just wouldn't fire... so it's now onto checking other bits and bobs to try and get the thing to actually start.... doubt it will be ready for the Ford Event in Holland now Once I get it running then I'll be happy and can start writing the shopping list for stuff to do over the winter to get it looking sweet.... fingers crossed for loads of overtime, as I think I'm going to need it!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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