We Threw a Rod

I purchased a 1998 Ford Escort a couple months ago. Last month (only a month and a half after getting the car), one of the rods managed to bust through the engine block. I think most people have heard of such a thing happening. But, frankly, I didn’t realize those things still happened. Anytime I think about it, all I can picture is Elwood Blues telling his brother, “We threw a rod,” to which Jake responds, “Is that bad?” Now I can say from experience: that’s bad. Until we pulled out the engine, I didn’t even realize how bad. Now I have proof.

Here’s the side of the engine, with said hole straight through to the piston.

… and a closer shot of it.

If that looks bad, it gets better (and by “better,” I mean “worse”) when you take a gander at the bottom.

And, just for fun, I took some pictures of the car without an engine in it. I think if I remember correctly, I was able to lift this thing with my pinky finger.

Mmmm… radiator.