Thirsty Old Escort

[ben_leeds]

Hi There,

First post on here, hoping you can help..

I have recently inherited a 1.6 Escort Laser. It's a 1984 car, and has done a whopping 50,000 miles!

Had a look around the engine and air filter seems ok, the engine is pretty clean and the oil looks to have been changed quite recently. It was previously my grandfathers car, and he maintained it well.

However, since first getting it the fuel consumption has rocketed, now returns about 15mpg! Anyone shed a bit of light on what I shoul be looking for?

Thanks in advance.

Ben

[Matthew C]

Looking in the haynes manual yours has got a Ford VV carb. My Nan had a 1984 1.3 escort with the VV carb and was getting 12mpg, £200 for a new Weber replacement and all was well again. Probably not worth the expense but from 1986 on they were fitted with Webers anyway - perhaps woth a look in the scrappies although any you found could well be worn and I don't know whether you would need an inlet manifold to go with it.

[Zad]

I would guess your Escort has an automatic choke. These tend to fail and leave it partially on, resulting in hefty fuel consumption. I forget which carb it is (VV?), but on one of them, there is a rubber gasket in the carb that perishes, resulting in poor performance and economy.

[ben_leeds]

Cheers for the advice.

A friend has mentioned the VV carb issue, though the automatic choke could be an issue as it splutters a lot and has idle problems when starting from cold. Will have a look at the carb this weekend. What would be a resonable price for a weber carb from a scrappy be?

[Zad]

Any carb in the scrappers obviously runs the risk of being worn out anyway, and they can be a pain in the posterior to set up unless you have access to exhaust gas measuring equipment. I wouldn't pay more than 15-20 quid at the outside, for one thats in visibly good condition. I think a manual choke kit would be my first choice. Easier to fit and no carb tuning needed.

Reminds me of my dads old Cortina and Escort days!

[ben_leeds]

Cheers Zab.

I'm guessing the haynes will talk me through fitting the manual choke kit?

[Zad]

Probably not. From what I remember, the manual choke kit has instructions with it anyway. It's a bit faffy but not rocket science

[jimmyfish]

Why do people nock the vv carb if they are looked arfter they are fine i bought my transit with a vv it was thirsty on juice but all that was needed was a set of diaphrams which were about 15 quid from dealer and guess what it now ticks over and does a respectible 28 to the gallen its now done 135000 miles. i personly would cheak the diaphrams

[ben_leeds]

Had the car into my friends garage and the Carb is knackered apparently..

Needs a new one, but I can't find one anywhere.. Any advice on where to look for one?

[Mk3Escy]

I have a Twin choke Weber XR2 Carb(28/32TLDM) & manifold, will need re-jetting(set up for a 1.3) & an airbox. £40 plus post or collect it from me for £35

If you are after a VV I maybe able to get one, but most were binned.

>> Edited by Mk3Escy on Monday 6th February 21:56

[ben_leeds]

Thanks for the offer but managed to source a brand new Weber carb, manual choke and fitting kit, all for £70.

All fitted and it's purring again. Was a bonus driving it 20 miles last night and actually using a reasonable amount of fuel!

Thanks for all the advice guys.

Ben

[Matthew C]

That's a more realistic price, my nan had to pay £200 for a replacement Weber. Sold the car a few months later for about the same price as the carb.

[Zad]

Good stuff Ben, that's a very good price! Now all we need is a photo of your motor so I can keep an eye out for you driving around

Mike

[Mk3Escy]

Nice one, no worries on the carb. Looks more std with the single choke weber & airbox economy is probaly improved no end too. Got any pics????

Heres my Mk3:


>> Edited by Mk3Escy on Monday 13th February 23:55

[ben_leeds]

Well it made it all the way to the Scottish highlands and back at the weekend, and the new carb has done wonders for the fuel economy too

Will try and get some pics of it this week, though it needs a clean first!