98 escort: cracked head?

[Rudie Del Rude]

Looked at a car for a friend. Water pumps cracked and its running funny. makes what sounds like knocking, or maybe a piston ring slapping around (Intermittent during idle). It isnt losing too much compression though, it drove alright. So i was thinking it might be the water pump making the noise.

It's got a lean mixture code in there, and i found a leak around the thermostat (thermostat bolts into driver-side of head.) No vacuum lines, it almost looks as if the thermostat housing was sucking up the carb cleaner. The plug in the cylinder next to the thermostat had a little bit of oil on it, yet no smoke from exhaust, black or white

So i think the head and/or gasket is cracked/blown. Am i assuming right??

Im willing to fix their car for cheap because ive never rebuilt a head or changed a head gaset, though i have the know-how, Ide like some practice. Question is, is it worth it?

The knocking noise kind of makes me unsure about if the bottom half of the engines in a good enough shape to consider doing this. I'de do a compression test but it wouldnt really help me would it? The cars got 225,000 on it, the oils a bit thick, and smells very off (cant figure out what though).

One more question: Say i take the head off and look at the block. Would i be able to visually inspect it for cracks and be certain, or would i have to fix the head and test the compression?

 

[99RangerBoss]

meh save your money i used to have a 93 LX with the 1.9L aluminum head cast iron block i would keep away plus 225 000 is a lot and im presuming your talking miles, i would look else where

 

[Duane867]

The water pump is more then likely making the noise,but the 1.9's are are prone for fried lifters. With that high of mileage I would almost guarantee its getting blow by from the rings forcing oil and unspent fuel back up through the into the breather as well.
That can cause a fire. It builds up as it worsens then runs down the intake tube towards the front of the motor. When it gets to the connection of the two hoses directly over the cat and manifold it leaks out right on to the cat and manifold and catches fire.
You'l go on a day trip somewhere, stop somewhere and all will seem fine. Then you'll come back out to smoke under your hood. Raise the hood and your shits on fire.
Seen it many many times with the 1.9L including to my own.