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!

 

Ran MFI's for over 10yrs now as daily's - I'd be lying if i said they didnt have their moments (20yr+ components) but otherwise pretty well behaved once set up properly.

 

Might be worth sourcing an efi engine, much more reliable

 

Might be worth while getting the metering unit reconditioned.

 

Try flushing your tank, new fuel filter, bg244 (I think) cleaner, remove injectors and have ultra sonic cleaned.....good starting point. Then new fuel, ngk plugs and keep her running.....mfi metering head hates to be stood for long periods.....good luck

 

You wouldn't believe how many brand new parts I've put on this car.
Including new fuelectric tank, new fuel pump, new performance panel filter, new plugs, new ht leads, new rotar arm and dizzy, new injector seals and sleeves, had the whole inlet plenum and throttle body off and cleaned..... the list goes on but I have not had the metering head reconditioned so might be worth looking into!

 

Could be m8.....from memory there is one company in uk that will refurb your metering head back to how it left the factory but last time I checked it was nearly Ł600 all in I think? Might be worth trying to see if anyone can lend you a known good one to try first just to be sure

 

Check your camshaft,it may be worn ,just had a similar thing on an efi xr3i and it was not opening the valves enough

 

Like anything, it's only as good as it's setup. The trouble is those who can tune MFI are few and far between, it's the same with Weber management.

I would take it to MSD, you have already spent money buying parts to no avail, so the former would have probably been cheaper.

A slight air leak causes all sorts of problems.

Martin