2009 Ford Escape
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Steering is the leading concern among 1,693 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 7th highest complaint count among 26 Escape model years with reports.
Of the 2009 reports, 34 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 17 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Suspension, front, wheel bearingJun 3, 2015
The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles. The affected wheel bearings have incorrect dimensions of a 42mm bore, 76mm outer dimension, and 39mm width, instead of a 42mm bore, 78mm outer dimension and a 45mm width.
Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Timken customer service at 1-866-984-6536.
Campaign 15E045000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, electric power assist systemMay 29, 2014
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured August 18, 2006, through September 11, 2010. The affected vehicles have a steering torque sensor that may not be able to properly detect driver steering input. As a result, the system could remove the Electric Power Steering (EPS) assist.
If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power steering control module (PSCM) and the instrument cluster module, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of the torque sensor signal or fault codes relating to the PSCM when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, the affected components will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on July 18, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S05.
Campaign 14V284000 on NHTSA.gov
EquipmentSep 3, 2010
MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING SIDE AIRBAGS. THE HEAVIER SEAT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
AN IMPROPERLY DEPLOYED AIRBAG COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.
MARATHON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE SEAT COVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MARATHON AT 1-800-735-2769.
Campaign 10E043000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
1,693 reports, newest first.
Power train, Apr 10, 2010
LEFT FRONT AXLE SHAFT BROKE AND SEAL TO TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING FLUID CAR HAD 14,516 MILEAGE REPLACED SHAFT AND SEAL AND BUSHING. *TR
Power train, Mar 25, 2010
WHILE TRAVELLING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, TRANSMISSION SLIPS TO NEUTRAL (OR LOW GEAR) AND RPMS SHOOT UP TO NEAR 6000. FORWARD MOMENTUM SLOWS DRAMATICALLY WHICH IS QUITE HAZARDOUS ON HIGHWAY. GOT TO DEALERSHIP RIGHT AWAY AND WITHIN DAY THEY "FIXED" IT BY REPLACING A SEAL (DIAGNOSIS WAS LOW FLUID). EXPRESSED CONCERNS FOR SAFETY AND WAS TOLD IT IS FIXED AND IT IS SAFE. NEXT DAY THE EXACT SAME THING OCCURS! IN ADDITION TO THAT SAME PROBLEM OCCURING, ALSO NOW SHIFTING IS OCCASSIONALLY VERY HARD ESPECIALLY WHEN ACCELERATION IS HARDER LIKE MERGING ONTO HIGHWAY OR PASSING ANOTHER CAR. BRINGING VEHICLE BACK IN BUT DON'T HAVE MY HOPES UP RIGHT NOW.
Power train, Mar 18, 2010
2009 FORD ESCAPE PURCHASED APRIL 2009. NOTICED TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF DRIVING. THOUGHT THIS MAY HAVE BEEN MY ERROR FOR NOT STEPPING ON BRAKE PEDAL COMPLETELY. MARCH 2010, MILEAGE ABOUT 20,000 STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION WHEN I ACCELERATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WHILE PRESSING ON THE GAS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS INTO NEUTRAL OR STARTS JERKING AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE AND THE ENGINE REVS UP WITH NO ERROR LIGHTS COMING ON. CALLED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT, SOONEST THEY COULD GET ME IN IS MARCH 22, 2010. WHEN I WAS MAKING THE APPOINTMENT THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS PROBABLY LOW ON TRANNY FLUID. CHECKED THE TRANNY FLUID WHEN I HAD MY OIL CHANGED ON MARCH 13, 2010 AND IT WAS LOW, SERVICE TECH ADDED MORE TRANSMISSION FLUID BUT THE PROBLEM REAPPEARED THE SAME AND IS GETTING WORSE. THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IS QUITE POSSIBLE IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ACCELERATE WHEN ENTERING THE ON RAMP AND A SEMI TRUCK IS IN THE SAME LANE. I'VE NOTICED OTHER COMPLAINTS ADDRESSING THE SAME ISSUE. DEFINITELY THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE 2009 FORD ESCAPE TRANSMISSIONS. I'LL SEE WHAT THE DEALER SAYS AND IF THEY CAN FIX THE PROBLEM. MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE SERVICE REP TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS ISSUE BUT SHE HAS BEEN HAVING ALOT OF ESCAPES COMING IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. WILL UPDATE THIS COMPLAINT AFTER MY VEHICLE IS LOOKED AT AND DIAGNOSED. I'LL ALSO DO SOME RESEARCH ONLINE TO SEE IF THERE IS ANY OTHER INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO ME. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Mar 12, 2010
AT THE SHIFT LEVEL OF 40 TO 45 MPH THE GAS PEDAL VIBRATES. IT IS MOST PRONOUNCED DURING THE FIRST SHIFT OF THE DAY. *TR
Power train, Mar 4, 2010
2009 FORD ESCAPE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR UNDER ACCELERATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WHILE PRESSING ON THE GAS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS INTO NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE REVS UP TO 5,000 TO 6,000 RPMS WITH NO ERROR LIGHTS COMING ON. DEALER WAS ADVISED OF THE PROBLEM AND STATED THAT IT WAS LOW ON TRANNY FLUID. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM REAPPEARED TWO DAYS LATER AND IS NOT FIXED YET. THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IS QUITE POSSIBLE.*TR
Power train, Feb 19, 2010
AT THE SHIFT LEVEL OF 40 TO 45 MPH THE GAS PEDAL VIBRATES. IT IS MOST PRONOUNCED DURING THE FIRST SHIFT OF THE DAY. *TR
Steering, Feb 16, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW AND WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK WHILE DRIVING OUT OF THE DRIVE WAY HE NOTICED THAT WHEN HE TURNED THE STEERING TO THE RIGHT THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AS IF METAL HITTING AGAINST METAL. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE STEERING. THE DEALER STATED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS BLACK AND IT IS WARM, THAT IS WHY HE WAS HEARING THAT NOISE. HOWEVER THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED SEVERAL PARTS. HE DOESN'T KNOW THE NAME OF THE PARTS THAT WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE DEALER ORDERED AN ENGINEER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINEER'S INVESTIGATION CONCLUDED THAT THE NOISE WAS NORMAL. HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER .THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE DEALER WAS AN INDEPENDENT DEALER THEREFORE THEY COULD NOT ASSIST HIM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,356 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,200.
Vehicle speed control, Feb 10, 2010
THE GAS PEDAL OF THE ESCAPE (2009 MODEL) VIBRATES WHEN ACCELERATES TO ABOUT 45 MPH. IT HAPPENS FREQUENTLY. *TR
Power train, Nov 24, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE VEHICLE HESITATES PRIOR TO ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE COMPUTER WAS REPROGRAMMED. THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 . THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 10,000. UPDATED 1/4/10 *CN WHEN DECREASING SPEED FOR TURNS OR NEARING A LIGHT, AND THEN ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE DIDN'T RESPOND QUICK, IT TOOK A FEW SECONDS. THE CONSUMER CHANGE THE GRADE OF GAS HE WAS USING AND THE PROBLEM IMPROVED A LITTLE. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE PCM. THE CONSUMER STATED HE AND THE DEALER DISCUSSED THE POSSIBILITY OF A NEW TRANSMISSION BECAUSE OF THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM AS WELL AS THE FLUID BEING BLACK. UPDATED 01/06/10. *JB
Power train, Nov 17, 2009
2009 FORD ESCAPE 4WD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. WE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION WHILE TOWING THE CAR PER INSTRUCTIONS IN CAR INFORMATION BOOK. IT WAS FIXED BY FORD WITH NO PROBLEM (WE WERE TOLD IT WAS A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION) TOOK 12 DAYS. REIMBURSED BY EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES. THEN WE TOWED IT 1000 MILES PER INSTRUCTIONS ON STOPPING ETC. NO PROBLEMS. WE HAD THE OIL CHANGED BY A FORD DEALER AND THEY "TOPPED" OFF THE FLUIDS. WE TOWED THE CAR 200 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION "BLEW" IT WAS TOWED AGAIN TO A FORD DEALER FIXED IN 6 DAYS THIS TIME AND A NEW DIPSTICK WAS GIVEN WITH INSTRUCTION TO NEVER LET ANYONE "TOP" OFF THE FLUID AND TO KEEP IT BETWEEN HASH MARK AND LOW LINE. WE HAVE SINCE TOWED IT >9000 MILES WITH NO FURTHER PROBLEM. HOWEVER EVERYTIME WE HAD OIL CHANGE OR TIRE REPUTATION, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THEIR OWN SERVICE BULLETIN TELLING THEM NOT TO TOP OFF FLUID. WE WERE ALSO GIVEN NEW TOWING INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING STOPPING EVERY 6 HOURS AND RUNNING THE CAR FOR 5 MINUTES AND PUTTING IT THROUGH ALL GEARS BEFORE TOWING AGAIN. HOWEVER, I CAN'T FIND THOSE INSTRUCTION ANYWHERE. *TR
Power train, Oct 25, 2009
PURCHASED 2009 FORD ESCAPE FWD V6 AUTO TRANS AS A VEHICLE TO BE TOWED BEHIND OUR MOTOR HOME. WE WERE ASSURED IT WAS TOWABLE (FORD OWNERS MANUAL & DINGHY TOWING GUIDES PUBLISHED ANNUALLY WITH AUTO MFR'S INPUT). WE HAVE BLOWN 2 TRANSMISSIONS IN PAST 4 MONTHS, AND HAVE MORE THAN FOLLOWED FORD'S GUIDELINES. I HAVE READ OF SEVERAL OTHER RVERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED UP TO 4 TRANSMISSION FAILURES - SOME REPORTED BEING FLAGGED DOWN BY OTHER MOTORISTS BECAUSE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE CAR WHILE BEING TOWED. THE WIRING HARNESS ON OURS HAS BEEN MELTED BOTH TIMES TRANS FAILURE OCCURRED. FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR MISTAKE RELATIVE TOWABILITY. FORD HAS ABUSED US (STRANDED FOR 2+WEEKS NOW WITH NO IDEA WHEN REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED) BY THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE POLICIES. ON THE FIRST TRANS FAILURE THEY JUST TOLD THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION - TOOK 10 DAYS. THIS TIME THEY ARE DRAGGING THEIR FEET ON ORDERING TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT, AND OFFERING US NO FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR OUR INCONVENIENCE AND OUT OF POCKET COSTS (RENTAL CAR, ETC). *TR
Air bags, Traction control system, Sep 15, 2009
WARNING LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD APPEAR INTERMITTENTLY. THE LIGHTS THAT COME ON ARE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT AND THE ADVANCE TRACTION CONTROL. ALSO THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE MIDDLE OF THE DASHBOARD FLASHES OFF AND ON. ONLY HAPPENS MAYBE 20% OF THE TIME. HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER TWICE, THE CODES THAT COME UP THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE SO CAN'T DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. WHEN I DO TAKE IT IN MOST OF THE TIMES THE LIGHTS DON'T COME ON SO THEY ASK WHETS THE PROBLEM? I DON'T KNOW IF THE CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE OR NOT. *TR
Steering, Structure, Aug 29, 2009
2009 FORD ESCAPE (RENTAL CAR) I RECEIVED THIS NEW RENTAL CAR FROM A MAJOR RENTAL CAR COMPANY AT THE SEATTLE/TACOMA AIRPORT WITH ONLY WITH 83 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. I RENTED THE CAR ON APPROXIMATELY 7-7-09. ON 7-13-09, WITH APPROXIMATELY 1,100 MILES ON IT, THE FRONT (PASSENGER SIDE) WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE LOWER CONTROL ARM (I BELIEVE THAT IS WHAT IT IS CALLED). I DO KNOW IT CAME OFF THE SPINDLE. MY WIFE AND CHILDREN WERE ON VACATION WITH ME WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. I HAD EXITED THE HIGHWAY AND NEAR THE END OF THE EXIT LANE, I WAS DRIVING AROUND A SHARP, LEFT HAND, BANKED, HAIRPIN CORNER THAT CROSSES OVER THE HIGHWAY. THE EXIT LANE WAS EXTREMELY LONG AND I BELIEVE I WAS GOING ABOUT 20-25 MILES PER HOUR, WHEN THE WHEEL SEPARATED HALFWAY THROUGH THE HAIRPIN TURN. I HEARD A CLUNK CLUNK AND THE TIRE SKIDDING. IT WAS HARD TO KEEP THE FORD ESCAPE FROM LEAVING THE ROADWAY ON THE RIGHT, BUT BECAUSE OF MY LOW SPEED, I WAS ABLE TO MOVE OVER TO THE SHOULDER UNDER CONTROL. I AM EXTREMELY THANKFUL THE WHEEL DID NOT SEPARATE FROM THE CHASSIS WHEN WE WERE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND NO DAMAGE TO THE FENDER OR FENDER WELL AND FROM WHAT I COULD SEE NO DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL. IT LOOKED LIKE A BOLT WAS MISSING FROM THE COLLAR (I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU CALL IT) THAT SURROUNDS THE SPINDLE. DON'T THESE BOLTS HAVE COTTER PINS? THE TIRE WENT FLAT AFTER THREE HOURS. THE POLICEMAN ASKED ME IF I HAD RUN OVER SOMETHING. I DIDN'T THINK SO, BUT WE WALKED THE ROADWAY BEFORE THE SKIDMARKS ANYWAY. NEITHER THE POLICEMAN NOR I FOUND ANYTHING. I NEVER ABUSED THE RENTAL CAR. I HAVE PICTURES. *TR
Air bags, Aug 19, 2009
STARTED FROM A STOPPED POSITION, LESS THAN 10 MPH. SIDE AIRBAGS WENT OFF. NOTING HIT THE CAR AND WE DID NOT HIT ANYTHING AND NOTHING FELL ON THE CAR. WE WERE ON AN EVEN SMOOTH PAVEMENT. *TR
Air bags, Jul 9, 2009
ON JUNE 2ND 2009 I WAS DRIVING MY NEW FORD ESCAPE ON HIGHWAY 101 HEADING WEST WHEN BOTH SIDE AIRBAGS INSTANTLY DEPLOYED. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING OR GET IN AN ACCIDENT. THE SEATBELT LOCKED ME INTO THE SEAT, I PULLED OFF THE NEXT EXIT WHICH WAS TOPANGA CANYON. I DROVE AROUND THE CORNER TO VISTA FORD AND THEY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT OTHER THAN THE AIRBAGS HAD DEPLOYED. FORD HAS BEEN SHIPPED THE RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE AND SAYS IT WILL TAKE 3 MONTHS TO ANALYZE. FORD WILL NOT WARRANTY THIS UNTIL THEY DETERMINE IT WAS A DEFECT. IN THE MEAN TIME MY INSURANCE IS HAVING VISTA FORD REPLACE THE MODULE AND AIRBAGS. I WILL GET THE VEHICLE BACK AND HAVE TO DRIVE IT. I CONSIDER THIS VEHICLE UNSAFE AND DO NOT WANT TO DRIVE IT. UNFORTUNATELY MY JOB REQUIRES ME TO DRIVE 2500 MILE A MONTH ALL AROUND SOUTHERN CA. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR A RENTAL CAR FOR 3 MONTHS, I'VE ALREADY INCURRED $650.00 OF RENTAL CAR EXPENSES SINCE JUNE 2ND SO THAT I CAN CONTINUE WORKING. I AM BEING FORCED TO DRIVE AN UNSAFE CAR BY FORD. *TR
Power train, May 22, 2009
09 FORD ESCAPE TRANSMISSION LOST THIRD GEAR [6 SPEED AUTO] THEN GOES INTO DEFAULT MODE [5TH GEAR ONLY] THIS IS A VERY HARSH EVENT [IT CAUSES THE TIRE TO SKID ON DRY PAVEMENT] FORD REPLACED A PCM NOW THE TRANSMISSION SPEWS OIL OUT THE DIPSTICK TUBE AND COVERS THE BACK END GATE AND UNDERSIDE OF VEHICLE [THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD AS EXHAUST TEMPS ARE HIGH] THUS FAR THE SELLING DEALERS SERVICE AND WARRANTY IS A JOKE PROBLEMS STARTED AT 2000 MILES HAVE 3000 NOW THE TRUCK SPENDS MORE TIME AT DEALERSHIP THAN AT OUR HOME WE DO NOT FEEL WE CAN BE SAFE WITH THESE ISSUES GOING ON. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 17, 2009, crash
59 YR. WOMAN NO DRUGS NEVER. NON SMOKER. ATTENDING TRAFFIC VERY CONCENTRATED. 17 YEARS WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT. IT IS TRUE I WAS DRIVING THIS CAR FOR A FEW DAYS BEFORE WITHOUT NOTICED ANY PROBLEM. ALSO IT IS TRUE I DIDN'T TRY TO STOPPED SUDDENLY AT ANY TIME BEFORE. USUALLY I DRIVE VERY SAFE TAKING A RATIONAL DISTANCE FROM OTHER CARS. IT HAPPENED INTO A TIED TRAFFIC AT 125 NE STREET, NORTH MIAMI, SOUTH FL AT APPROX 6 PM LAST FRIDAY 3/13/09 NO MORE THAT 25 MILES PER HOUR BECAUSE TRAFFIC IS USUALLY DENSE AT THAT TIME ON THAT STREET. UNDER A GREEN LIGHT THE 1ST CAR IN ROW SUDDENLY STOPPED TO MAKE AN UNAUTHORIZED LEFT. ALL THE CARS BEHIND IN THE LINE STOPPED TO HIT THE ONE IN FRONT, ONE BY ONE. I WAS THE LAST IN THE ROW. ALTHOUGH I TRIED TO STOP MY CAR VERY HARD WITH ENOUGH DISTANCE IT DIDN'T STOPPED. I HIT THE BRAKE WITH ALL MY SOUL TO AVOID THE IMPACT BUT I IT DIDN'T WORK AS I EXPECTED. I WAS DRIVING A RENTED SUV-FORD ESCAPE HYBRID 2009. THE CAR KEPT RUNNING UNTIL HIT THE LAST CAR IN THE ROW. ACCIDENT WAS NOT MY FAULT, I DIDN'T GET THE TICKET. IT WAS A RENTED CAR. NOW THE INSURANCE WILL TRY TO COLLECT FROM ME THE $1000 DEDUCTIBLE OF MY POLICY. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE SOLUTION WOULD BE. AMERICAN MANUFACTURERS HAVE BIGGER PROBLEMS, LARGER RECALLS AND ARE GENERALLY LESS RELIABLE DAY BY DAY, AND WE PEOPLE ARE PAYING FOR THEM. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 10, 2008
THIS COMPLAINT APPLIES TO THE 2009 ESCAPE HYBRID MODEL ONLY. WHILE CHANGING OIL IN THE VEHICLE, IT WAS OBSERVED THAT THE OIL FILLER TUBE IS LOCATED DIRECTLY ABOVE THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD (ONE OF THE HOTTEST PARTS OF THE ENGINE BAY). I SPILLED A SMALL AMOUNT OF OIL WHILE REFILLING (2 TABLESPOONS) AND NOTICED IT DROPPED ONTO THE MANIFOLD, WHICH HAS SOME CREASES AND FOLDS IN IT THAT CAN CATCH THE OIL AND POOL IT. EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE HAD BEEN OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES, IT WAS STILL HOT ENOUGH TO START SMOKING SLIGHTLY. AFTER WIPING UP WHAT OIL I COULD WITH A RAG, I RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND IT BEGAN SMOKING AGAIN WITHIN 20 SECONDS. NO DOUBT THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A FIRE IN THE ENGINE BAY WITHIN MINUTES HAD I NOT WIPED UP THE POOLED OIL FROM THE MANIFOLD. *TR