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Old 12-11-2008, 10:56 PM   #9 (permalink)
mhmitszach
EcoModding Apprentice
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: indiana
Posts: 233

Iwishthiswasamanual - '98 Ford Escort ZX2
90 day: 32.95 mpg (US)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tygen1 View Post
ZX2's can be quite durable No reason you shouldn't get more than 200K out of the motor and trans. Besides fixing what is broke, the only real flaw with the Zetec is that there is only one thrust bearing on the crank and it will wear. My crank end play was over 0.075 so I changed the motor out at 212K before any trouble started. The trans finally let go at 216K. I knew it was on it's way out long before it let go, so I was prepared. Most folks I talk to are amazed that an Escort has more than double the miles that their import has and gets better mileage and is quicker I never used synthetic motor oil, just 10w30 Castrol, you should always use the Ford oil filter though, it has the proper anti drain back valve in the filter to keep oil up in the VCT to protect it on cold starts. I think using non Ford filters on mine caused my first VCT to wear earlier than it sould have. Another thing I do is change the trans fluid every 20-25K. Why not? It's cheap and easy.
BTW, 1590 for a ZX2 is a great deal
I've had the car 15k miles and have yet to change trans fluid? Maybe I should do that.
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