1985 Ford Escort Laser-2 1.3 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Disappointing

Faults:

The bodywork developed major rusting after just 5 years.

The diaphragm in the carb was always breaking, causing the car to stall when declutching.

The cam belt blew after 50000 miles, leaving the driver stranded in morning rush-hour traffic at a busy town junction.

It needed new dampers all round after 5 years.

Engine began to smoke like an old hack not too long after the cam belt blew. It needed valve seals, rings, and bearings. It also needed a new distributor and carburetor.

General Comments:

The car was bought from new and stayed in the family for 7 years.

It was quite a pleasant car to look at, both inside and out, and drove reasonably well. Running costs were modest, and would have continued to be if it hadn't started to fall apart at the seams.

Unfortunately, the pleasant experiences of its early years were overshadowed by the succession of failures and deterioration.

I would never have bought another Escort after this, and replaced it with a Peugeot 205.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th October, 2005

13th Dec 2006, 16:36

The 1.3 litre engine fitted to your Escort was an overhead valve unit.

It does not have a cambelt.

12th Mar 2007, 15:00

I beg to differ with the above comment. The 1.3 fitted to escorts between 1980 and 1985 were CVH overhead cam engines and DO have a cam belt, therefore the author of this review is indeed correct.

It was only 1986 onwards Mk4 escorts which were fitted with the overhead valve engine. Sorry, but the comment writer is mistaken!

In reply to 12th Mar 2007, 15:00

27th Aug 2015, 01:41

1983 through 1985.5 were 1.6L CVH engines. In 1985.5+ they were the 1.9L CVH engines.

I believe the 1.3L engines were used in the Festivas.

In reply to 12th Mar 2007, 15:00

7th Apr 2024, 17:12

I beg to differ. My 1985 1.3L was timing chain, I know because we replaced it.

In reply to 7th Apr 2024, 17:12

9th Apr 2024, 17:41

Did it still have the original engine in the car? Might have been replaced already by the time you owned it. Should be a belt as the other person said.

1985 Ford Escort XR3i 1.6 Injection from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Boy Racer, grown old. Like me!

Faults:

Replaced the disk brakes after a couple of heart stopping moments.

Wiper switch suspect, I expect the light switch to burn out soon.

Replaced the seats as the paddings was long gone in both front seats.

Replaced a few hydraulic followers.

General Comments:

No where near as comfortable as the MK4 XR3i.

German built, Original battery tray!

Nervous handling on all, but the perfect roads. (not many of them around)

Noisy and uncomfortable.

GREAT FUN to drive!!

On that good bit of road, NOTHING would go round the corner faster!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th December, 2004

1985 Ford Escort GL 1.6 from North America

Summary:

This one was a loser

Faults:

Needed a head gasket at 65,000 miles - a $600 repair after paying $700 for it to get me through a few months.

Demise of car was that rust ate away at the rear right wheel and wheel well. Nothing really to fix, because you can't bolt or weld to rust. Wheel started to splay outward. Driving over bumps eventually would have caused car to literally break in two. Ended up buying a late model Pontiac Grand Prix with low miles.

General Comments:

There are still a lot of old Escorts out there, and if you can find a good one, it may serve you well as basic transportation. Parts are cheap and a rookie can repair them. Look for a car driven a lot on the highway. Mine was driven to and from work in harsh conditions, no highway driving.

Stay away from the 1.6L with the 2 barrel carb. The 1.8L fuel injection which came in "1985-1/2" was 150x better, I'm told.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 2nd July, 2001

24th May 2004, 15:26

I don't know, I own an 1984 ford escort that I bought back in October. and it has been great I paid $300 dollars for it and put 0n 10,000 miles, it has only had one major problem a month after I bought it the water pump went out and I had to get it replaced, but that was only $200 dollars. It is a 1.6 liter and has a 2 barrel carburater it gets about 35 miles a gallon and is still going strong with 300000 miles on the motor, and it starts every time. I've liked my escort so much now I own 2 more. On the highway i've had it going a 120 miles an hour and it sounded like a new car at those speeds and other speeds. But I'm selling it so I can get a ford ranger a much better ford in my opinion.

8th Nov 2004, 06:08

I have one escort 1.3L from 85. I have only problem with this, it "eat" a lot of money. today I get the decision to sell it.

21st Feb 2005, 21:55

I found a 1985 EscortL 1.6 in a barn last year with 20k. I did have to up date belts and hoses plus replace the front brakes and timing belt because of age. but over all it a fun and really doesn't cost that much to drive, parts are still easy to get. this is my second escort I've owned. I hope this one gives me as much fun as the last one I had. If you take care of a car, 99% of the time it will take care of you.