2000 FORD ESCORT WONT IDLE

Have you cleaned the throttle body and throttle body valve? have you cleaned the idle speed control air bypass valve? are the injectors clean? Are there any fault codes in memory, do the things I mentioned if you haven't already. Also hard engine mounts can cause roughness at idle. Another thing is the timing belt tight?

The idle air control andcthe throttle position sensor

try spray cleaning the MAF sensor with carb cleane. The short exposed heated ires. MAF is on big air intake tube,

clean MAF sesnor wires (inside) with carb cleaner. spraay only, do not touch. may have varnish coating on it. CEL light on?

sorry but this advice is based on 35 years as a Ford dealer technican and 1000's of repairs. i still say time to trade it in on another low miles used one, not new used, it will nickel and dime u to dealth if you don't, trust me on this. put the fuel filter on check the fuel pressure (spec is 45 PSI) and keep your fingers crossed

I would start with a compressoin check. You should get more then 160 psi on each cylinder on a cold engine. If these numbers are low, then the timing belt is your likely issue. Since these engines are non-interference (don't let anyone tell you different) you can just put a new belt and pulley kit on and be done with it. I even have a how-to for this in my tips and tricks on my profile.

A bad MAF (mass air flow) sensor can cause rough running problems. This is easily tested by unplugging the MAF (4 or 6 wire plug) from the vehicle to see if running improves. The connector for the MAF can be found on the front of the airbox just after the air filter locking ring.

If that isn't the issue, a fuel pressure test is an order. You should see around 45 psi with the engine at idle and 60 psi with the engine off and key on.

We would need to konw the codes to be able to answer that .

was the timing belt changed, since it overheated the cam may have gotten tight and the belt might have jumped 2-3 teeth and you still would have a spark and fuel pressure.

check the harmonic balancer. it is probably bad and its causing your timing to be off. if its cracked or wobbles replace it. if not the woodruff key might be twistid and causing the problem. id pull off the harmonic balancer and while you have it off check the timing belt. if the timing marks dont' line up replace the belt and water pump. its recommended to change the belt every 60,000 miles. if the belt is good replace the balancer.

hi have checked the compressions if ok `check the injectors look for air leaks around the inlet manifold and if its been over heated make sure the throttle bodies not warped good luck yates210456