Escort RS Turbo - where do I start
Discussion
A dear family friend has recently passed away. In his car collection is an Escort RS Turbo. It has 60,000ish miles, not been driven/started for at least 7 years. Instead, it has been mothballed in a dry garage.
I'm thinking about adopting it for now whilst we wonder what to do with it. That means getting it to my place.
I have watched Johnny Smith and the Late Brake Show and it has provided some inspiration, but wanted to check what others think of my plan.
First step is to roll it out of the garage. No idea what the brakes and tyres are like.
Then change oil, oil filter, air filter, plugs, drain and replace fuel, replace battery. With a bit of luck that may get it started.
Is there anyone with experience of the legendary RS Turbo that can confirm this is a good approach? Are there any other things that I should plan for at this stage?
After that, I will have to assess the value of it and decide how/where to sell it unless I buy it myself...not that I have the room really.
Many thanks.
I'm thinking about adopting it for now whilst we wonder what to do with it. That means getting it to my place.
I have watched Johnny Smith and the Late Brake Show and it has provided some inspiration, but wanted to check what others think of my plan.
First step is to roll it out of the garage. No idea what the brakes and tyres are like.
Then change oil, oil filter, air filter, plugs, drain and replace fuel, replace battery. With a bit of luck that may get it started.
Is there anyone with experience of the legendary RS Turbo that can confirm this is a good approach? Are there any other things that I should plan for at this stage?
After that, I will have to assess the value of it and decide how/where to sell it unless I buy it myself...not that I have the room really.
Many thanks.
After doing something similar recently I can offer the below.
After 7 years it his highly likely the fuel pump is goosed. Its mounted at the rear near the tank. Disconnect it from the car electrically and try 12V direct to it for a quick burst see if it powers?
Just check the oil, if it looks OK it will be fine for a quick start up, likewise the plugs just take out and clean up and squirt a bit of lubricant down the holes. Check air filter for rodents living in the airbox.
Remove the cam belt cover and have a quick look at the belt, turn the engine over by spanner on the bottom pulley see if its free and the water pump and tensioner are free, these are driven by the belt on a CVH and can seize wrecking the belt and bending valves with it.
Your biggest enemy will be stale fuel and perished and leaking fuel hoses so be careful.
Once happy with some fresh super unleaded installed and a working pump and no leaks turn the engine over with the coil lead off, make sure you get oil pressure then your pretty much good to go for a quick start then change all the bits after.
Keep us posted as love old escorts (I have an 83 RS1600i)
After 7 years it his highly likely the fuel pump is goosed. Its mounted at the rear near the tank. Disconnect it from the car electrically and try 12V direct to it for a quick burst see if it powers?
Just check the oil, if it looks OK it will be fine for a quick start up, likewise the plugs just take out and clean up and squirt a bit of lubricant down the holes. Check air filter for rodents living in the airbox.
Remove the cam belt cover and have a quick look at the belt, turn the engine over by spanner on the bottom pulley see if its free and the water pump and tensioner are free, these are driven by the belt on a CVH and can seize wrecking the belt and bending valves with it.
Your biggest enemy will be stale fuel and perished and leaking fuel hoses so be careful.
Once happy with some fresh super unleaded installed and a working pump and no leaks turn the engine over with the coil lead off, make sure you get oil pressure then your pretty much good to go for a quick start then change all the bits after.
Keep us posted as love old escorts (I have an 83 RS1600i)
Thanks for this. That is really good information. I am glad you mentioned the belts, well....because. I would hate to see the car turn from a classic to expensive repair in the turn of a key.
I think there is more to this now than I had previously considered. We will have to shift an MG out of the way before wr can extract the RS out of the garage. The feeling is that there is much work to be done and a project rather than quick job.
I love an RS too. Not enough to want one, but it was a vehicle that defined the late 80s for me. One of THE cars to have.
I think there is more to this now than I had previously considered. We will have to shift an MG out of the way before wr can extract the RS out of the garage. The feeling is that there is much work to be done and a project rather than quick job.
I love an RS too. Not enough to want one, but it was a vehicle that defined the late 80s for me. One of THE cars to have.
Some good advice above. I used to work at a Ford main dealer when these were a current model, and have seen the belts snap with as little as 8k miles on from new, so I would change a belt that is seven years old ( or possibly significantly more ) before attempting to fire the car up. It might have deteriorated to the point where if the engine is difficult to turn over after all this time, it might just let go immediately.
Also, remove the plugs when you're cranking for oil pressure, to remove any compression on what will be a bone dry engine initially. If it were mine, I'd squirt a small amount of oil down the cylinders with a syringe, and try rocking the car back and forth in gear while watching the pulleys to see if they're moving before I cranked it. Or, as said, big spanner on the crank and try it by hand.
Also, remove the plugs when you're cranking for oil pressure, to remove any compression on what will be a bone dry engine initially. If it were mine, I'd squirt a small amount of oil down the cylinders with a syringe, and try rocking the car back and forth in gear while watching the pulleys to see if they're moving before I cranked it. Or, as said, big spanner on the crank and try it by hand.
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