Ford Escort RS1600i (1982 – 1985) Review

Ford Escort RS1600i (1982 – 1985) At A Glance

Ford Escort RS1600i (1982 – 1985) Buying Guide

Bodywork

• Rust is the main enemy of the Ford Escort RS1600i.
• Check for rust in the bulkhead, battery tray, rear chassis rails, sills and floorplan.
• Look behind the front panel, front wings and rear arches for rot, too.
• Doors and tailgates corrode as well.

Engine and gearbox

• Noisy tappets are a common complaint.
• Check for blue exhaust smoke – that means the oil control rings on the pistons are worn.
• The fuel-injected CVH engine is relatively tough as long as it is regularly serviced.
• Rough running, misfiring and poor starting are mostly likely down to fault with the twin-coil ignition system.
• Other culprits can be the ECU, the coils or the gearbox sensor.
• Fuel pump relays often fail.
• Rumbling from the gearbox could be caused by collapsed mainshaft bearings.
• As you move through the gears, check for worn synchromesh.
• The B5 gearbox in the RS1600i is unique with a shorter fifth gear and revised final drive.
• Driveshaft seals often leak.

Suspension, steering and brakes

• If the car wanders, the bushes could need replacing.
• The ride should be tight – if it’s not, check the springs and dampers for wear.
• Cars made before May 1983 had a two-bolt top strut fixing, later cars only got one.
• Despite what the marketing people said, Ford experts say an anti-roll bar was not standard.
• Weak points of the braking system are warped discs and weeping wheel cylinders.
• Check for judder under braking and see if the handbrake will hold the car.
• A spongy pedal can be caused by a worn linkage.

Electrics and trim

• Check all the electrics work, especially the dash dimmer.
• Fogs and spotlights are often cracked.
• Are the seats worn? Good replacement items are hard to find.
• If the four-spoke steering wheel needs replacing, be aware that they’re expensive and rare.
• Like many cars of this era, dash tops crack

 

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