Alright, here's another question. I called the shop to find out what they might charge me to replace the #4 fuel injector themselves (since I don't know how much confidence I would have in myself doing it). The guy said he was pretty sure the injector wasn't the problem because he didn't think that an injector would be able to click loud enough to hear it inside the car when it is running. He said the clicking is coming from the exhaust. He seemed to think if the injector was clicking loud enough to be heard inside the car it would break because it's plastic. Does that make sense to anyone? When he says the clicking is coming from the exhaust does that mean somewhere else in the engine or is he talking about where the exhaust shoots out the back of the car? Because it sure sounds like it is coming from the engine.
+2 Yes an exhaust leak can sound like a ticking sound but it shouldn't cause your car to turn off. Sounds to me like ignition since it's affected by RPM. Has the car overheated before? If so maybe a blown head gasket. Has your shop done a compression test? That could rule out anything major and point towards a fuel or ignition/electrical problem.
Dude your mechanic is a joke. If you're not going to replace it yourself which I dont recommend you doing in the first place, take it to a shop.
He did a "smoke test" and I think he said there was a small leak by the EGR but not something he thought would cause any problems (he may have said he fixed that leak, I don't remember). Sounds like I just need to replace this thing myself and see if that works. Goddamnit, you guys have me questioning my mechanic now. I thought I had a good one that was honest. Sounds like they may be honest, but incompetent as well.
There's just a certain way of troubleshooting cars that he doesn't seem to be following. Air, Fuel, Spark, Comp test. I usually do all my own mechanic work but I have a guy that I trust when I just don't have the time. Hit me up on the board e-mail if you want his contact #.
I spoke with my wife's stepfather yesterday and he's going to come over Friday and help me look at it and maybe replace the fuel injector. I'll give an update after that if anyone is interested.
How fast is the clicking ? If it is fast and clicks in rhyme with the engine then your valves may need to be adjusted.
Hey Raven here's an AutoZone repair guide for a 2001 Ford Escort: http://www.autozone.com/addVehicleId,2646501/initialAction,repairGuide/shopping/vehicleSelected.htm More specifically... here's the section about relieving fuel system pressure: http://www.autozone.com/addVehicleI...pping/repairGuide.htm?pageId=0900c152801e9980 .. and removal and replacement of fuel injector: http://www.autozone.com/addVehicleI...pping/repairGuide.htm?pageId=0900c152801e9969 In agreement with fmullegun posts, it looks friggin' easy. I'd recommend trying that yourself and, if it doesn't fix your problem, at least you didn't spend much.
I had a similar issue without the "clicking" sound. My plugs were worn, so I replaced spark plugs and ignition wires and it fixed the issue. If you are in there replacing injectors, it may be easy (and cheap) to go ahead and change the spark plugs as well.
Spark plugs and wires are less than 6 months old. I had a tuneup not that long ago and they replaced the plugs and wires. The shop is in Deer Park at the corner of Center and Spencer. It's a Shell gas station with a full mechanic shop attached. Thanks for the links, droxford. Edit: Oh, and to answer your question, Cheetah, the clicking does get faster as I accelerate. At high speeds I can't really hear it, although I don't know if it is because the road noise is much higher or if it stops or if it is happening so fast I can't distinguish the individual clicks. It isn't constant, either. It doesn't usually click when I first start the car, I have to drive it for a little while and I will start hearing the clicking.
Since I doubt you have a fuel pressure gauge I would say just use my method to take off the fuel pressure. Pull the correct fuse (fuel pump fuse) and crank over the car. There will still be fuel so keep a rag on hand, it will leak out of the rail a little. Your fuel system is not a tire, it has a built in pump that gets the pressure up before you start it. It is not like fuel it gonna spew everywhere like a radiator or something.
THAT'S where I got that from...My club has a fuel pressure gauge and I did it like that the first time I worked on the engine, but as the tool was passed around, I didn't have it anymore, but figured I could just depress the plunger in the scrader valve to the same effect. It was the same effect.
