Bought a new 88 Escort GT. it ran perfect until 12,000 miles, then it simply would not idle. Ford dealer "fixed" it 4 times. I had always been true to Ford, but I had to have dependable car, ended up trading in on a used Cutlass with a bulletproof quad 4, had no problems until I traded the quad in on an Astro Van.

We recently retired our 1988 Ford Escort GT at 21 years old! She still runs well, but the body is rather rusty and the driver's door has been sticking badly. She's been extremely reliable and economical over the years, and we hated to replace her, which we just did with a 2000 Ford Focus Wagon SE. We are hoping to sell the Escort to someone who can keep her going since she only has 124,000 miles and still gets about 25 mpg! Great car!!

This has been an awesome car, 1988 Ford Escort GT 1.9 h o.

For any idle problems, change out the pick up coil in the distributor. Also try the ignition module. Check all the wiring by the battery and along the motor, I have found things unplugged or burnt wires and plugs.

Tachometer went out in mine also, don't need it LOL. Either way, hands down this car rocks.

Adjusting the timing, also make sure you pull the little cap on the two wire cord on the distributor, this sets up you vacuum. You will fall emissions if you don't unplug, set the timing, turn the car off, then plug it back in.

1993 Ford Festiva, also a hard core car, takes down trees in the woods, when you forget the saw.

I got the two cars Ford made right. I have beat the living crap out of these cars. Pick up a book on the car and do the repairs yourself, it's also something simple.