Looking at a KN or KQ

[Simple6]

Hey Guys,

Girlfriend likes the look of KN & KQ Lasers and wants to look at buying one in the near future. Only thing is though I have no idea what to look for with Lasers or anything about them really! Give me a Falcon any day....I've been through plenty!

So are there any issues with them I should look for when checking them out? I read on FordLaser.com that they have timing belts so that would need to changed every 100k or so I assume, big/expensive job or can do at home? I also read that they're a non-interference motor, but the person who said that did not specify whether it was the 1.6, 1.8 or 2.0.

What are we looking for?

[russellw]

I wouldn't be bothering with anything other than the 2.0 - none of them are bad engines but they smaller ones are noticeably lacking in power.

Timing belts are something you could manage if reasonably competent.

Otherwise, they generally have a good reputation for reliability, are reasonably plentiful and parts are easy to come by.

Cheers
Russ

[Russ]

I'm pretty sure the only Laser with the 2.0 motor was the SR2 ? If so they are a nice little car, very sporty looking and go quite well. I would however be careful when choosing that it has had regular log book servicing because the engines can be quite expensive to repair. I went through this on a 2001 model I purchased for my son a few years back, it had good service history but there was a period of about 6 - 12 months and 20,000 k's where there was no service history recorded and unfortunately for us after having a full service done we discovered later that the engine had obviously been doctored to cover up a valve stem seal issue. Quotes ranged from $2,000 to $4,500 to repair I traded it in a couple of days later and actually managed to get the money back on it My eldest son also had a Laser for many years, it was a KH Ghia hatch, 1.8i 5 speed manual, air, steer, 4 wheel discs etc.... We dropped in a K and N panel filter and had a sports muffler fitted and it went like a little rocket. It never gave him any real trouble and apart from the usual serviceable items such as brakes, oil, filters and the like it had a new clutch at around 170,000 k's and we had to change the idle control valve at some stage too due to fluctuation when idling, I managed to pick up another complete throttle body unit and replaced the whole thing ($30 from the wreckers)

[Simple6]

Cheers guys!

Doesn't sound like there is too much to worry about then.

Yeah the SR2 was the only one with the 2.0 so I don't know if we'll be able to find the right car with that motor because they aren't as common but it'll be the 1.8 at an absolute minimum.

[Russ]

Originally Posted by Simple6

Cheers guys!

Doesn't sound like there is too much to worry about then.

Yeah the SR2 was the only one with the 2.0 so I don't know if we'll be able to find the right car with that motor because they aren't as common but it'll be the 1.8 at an absolute minimum.

Happy hunting

[79FordEsky]

What about telestar 2.0 conversion on a laser?