Shaunc

Straight question.....
Is the 1.6 escort MFI set up just s#*t?!!
I've had this car 2 years now and I get the feeling I'm chasing my tail with it trying to keep it running properly and smoothly.
Some days I start it up and it purrs like a cat and is quickly responsive. Other days it's just dog ruff! Idles all over the place and coughs an splutters as if I've got YET ANOTHER air leak.

I've spent loads of money on it over the past 2 years, and had the fuel mixture and idle set up twice (after I do so it runs the best it ever has).
And I think I am quite the expert at hunting down air leaks and electrical problems now, as I have had enough practice with the thing!

Was the MFI escort like this from factory? Was it always destined to be crap?! Surely not!

XR2

No they were not. MFI engines usually were very reliable and had no issues with running, starting etc.

But as the K-Jetronic is a mechanical injection system, there are some parts that suffer from wear, especially when getting old.

Might be tricky to hunt down your problem as these systems normally work good or bad all the time. At this point you might have to regard anything from fuel pump up to the metering head.

Any chance to localize the problems? Happens day by day? Or with a certain type of fuel? Or depends on the weather or how long the car stood or anything else?

gcfcos

Every mfi 3i I've had have been bullet proof. Mind u I'm talking the late 90s to early 2000s so there a good deal older now. Used to give them mega abuse down the local car parks from reverse doughnuts to burnouts and always drove home. Misspent youth and all that

morg65

Guys,
I grew up with MFI.. Biggest issue I had was the blasted fuel pump relay.. Always kept a brand new spare in the glove box. It seemed to be a common fault and an easy fix I might add. Used to make me cut out and splutter all the time.
Now I am running EFI and I hate it.. Bloody sensors all over the place.
MFI's were much easier to set up.. EFI you can even adjust the tickover. Feckin ECU lol.
Morg

morg65

Incidentally I have no idea why my previous post is underlined.
Give me MFI any day. One other problem was the valve stem oil seals and the cam followers but they wouldn't really cause running issues unless well worn.. Other than that they were very reliable IMHO.

haz87

Fuel pump problems are easily overcome but running a fresh loom and relay using the original relay & wiring as a trigger only. That was the safety element is retained but reliability gained