1998 Ford Escort engine failure

Hey there! Could be a number of things. Is it tapping or a knocking noise? How old is the car?

It could be (excuse the pun) your bottom end/crank bearings gone, if it is then stop running the car right away and get it looked at.

If its more of a tapping noise then it could be:
1. Dodgy valve spring
2. Cam shaft on its way out
3. Oil pump - the top end may be dry because of lack of oil

Hope this helps

ok with you saying it a 1400cc im going to say its a cvh engine there can be a number of things but if its top rattle as they have hydraulic lifters in these engines the first thing that i would do is get down to the local motorist store and buy 2 wynns engine flushes and a x2 oil filters and 1 5ltr oil of 10w 40 put the 1 of the new filters on then put both the engine flushs in run the car up and give about 15 mins to warm up drop the engine oil and again change the filter and top up with the new oil to the specified mark on the dipstick as the cvh engines common for this if they are not cared for ie regular oil changes every 6 months
but if its bottom end then you will hear aloud knocking noise which would mean mega bucks as you will need the crank regrinding and then it would need reshelling ie bearings which you would be looking around the £350 mark to resolve