Front 3/4 view of a 1990 1.8LX Sierra.
Styling was ahead of it's time back in 1982.
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The Ford Sierra hatchback was launched in late 1982 as a modern replacement for ageing Cortina cars. Like the Cortina it's a rear wheel drive medium sized car.
This page covers the 1.8 Litre CVH engined Sierra
1.8 CVH Sierras first hit the streets in 1987. The CVH engine replaced the 1.8 SOHC engined models. CVH stands for Compound Valve angle Hemisperical combustion chambers.
The CVH engine offers better drivability than the older SOHC (Also known as Pinto) engines , they pull better from low down and rev a little better. The Sierra is fairly heavy at around 1.1 Tonne so an 8 valve 1800cc normally aspirated engine isn't going
to win at Santa Pod but it's perfectly adequate for British roads. Top speed of the Sierra pictured is about 110 MPH (indicated speed) in Fifth gear, at this speed the vehicle is stable and predictable to drive.
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Getting the Sierra to 60 mph from a standstill takes around 12 sec or so with this example, if you're in a hurry. Again this is indicated speed, and Ford instruments sometimes tend to show a slightly larger
reading than the actual true speed.
Fuel economy is fairly good with these cars. A 1.8 Sierra usually returns 30 mpg on a decent trip.
The engine has proven a reliable design capable of many trouble free miles. One problem that does often present itself on the CVH Sierra is leaking valve oil seals, evidence of this is a smoking exhaust (Blue, smelly oil smoke) on startup, especially if the car has been
left for a while. Not a serious problem in itself but it can make you think you have a larger problem with the engine than you actually have when you're enveloped in a cloud of oil smoke.
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The Sierra was amongst the first mass market cars exhibiting the aeroback design that replaced the squared off cars like the Cortina of previous years.
Back in 1982 the new design took some flak from people & critics used to boxed shaped cars. It went by the nickname of 'the jellymould' for a while.
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Sierra from the drivers seat. Well laid out instruments, adjustable height and rake seat. Good pedal & wheel placement. 5 Speed gearbox changes well if the engine idle is set correctly. The 5 speed ford boxes still are not as good through a change as the old 4 speed box like on the Cortina/Escort MK2.
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Another common problem of the 1.8 Sierra is failure of the electric radiator fan system. Usually the fan itself is fine, but the supporting electrics develop problems. When this occurs the first you may know about it is the sight of steam eminating from under the bonnet of the car while stuck in slow moving traffic or at lights.
Central locking problems also sometimes appear (often due to a worn key).
The Sierra's drive train is very reliable to the point of being bulletproof. The example shown has a 5 speed Gearbox driving through a split propshaft to a differential unit at the rear, drive is then sent via splined halfshafts to the wheels. Suspension is independent allround. Semi trailing arm at the back and macpherson struts at front.
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The semi trailing arm rear suspension does a great job, but with a heavy load in the back causes some peculiar wheel geometry that has an adverse effect on handing. For heavy loads you can't beat an old fashioned rigid axle where the wheels keep their square on geometry.
If the Sierra in question has tired old springs at the back this problem will show up most. Early onset of wheelbearing problems may be linked to this geometry effect.
For the home mechanic the Sierra is terrific to work on, unlike other more modern cars. Cheap easy to obtain spares from a dealer or your local breakers yard and straight-forward easy to get at and work on mechanical bits.
Bodywork on Sierras resists the relentless force of rust quite well, the car pictured is a 1990 model, 12 years old at the time of writing and only has superficial rust.
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This car is fitted with an aftermarket towbar. Fitment requires careful drilling of the vehicle.
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If when changing gear on your Sierra you find the engine revs stay high it could be a you have a damaged plastic arm on the Pierburg carburator.
Can cause the secondary venturi to jam open.
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Uncluttered engine compartment on the Sierra CVH
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As you can see from these pictures the engine compartment is unclutered when compared to a modern front wheel drive car.
This car has the shroud missing from the ignition leads & the cold air intake duct has been removed to help avoid carburator icing.
Driving position on a Sierra is great. Nice and central on the wheel and pedals, not offset to one side like on so many front wheel drive cars. The pedals have a good spacing so you shouldn't find yourself
catching the accelerator with the side of your shoe when going for the brakes. Some modern cars seem designed for people with tiny little feet, and an offset pelvis!
Sierra production sadly ended in 1993 with the introduction of the Ford Mondeo front wheel drive car. The Mondeo is not a bad car but think what Ford could have produced if it had stayed with the rear wheel drive design concept like with the Sierra.
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