friend drives a 1998 zx2 escort thats stick and shakes when at a stop light when its in neutral most of the time but somtimes also in first ... could it be bad motor mounts?? help me out, im clueless

 

Engine mounts are probably fine. It probably needs a tune up to run a little smoother.

 

like fab said probaly just tune up or loose vacum line .

 

+2

 

all of the above, and it is an escort.

 

I would go the cheapest route first. Visually check all motor mounts for cracks, rotting or even looseness. If they look fine then move to the next check. As others have said, check for vacuum leaks. Vacuum leaks can weigh heavily on how a motor runs. If one line is disconnected, the motor could/will run like crap. If all the hoses look intact and do not looked cracked, then move to the next which would be a simple tune up. Number one problem would be the spark plug wires. Those stupid connectors always tend to separate from the wire causing an arc between the two. That will defiantly cause a mis-fire. Spark plugs would be next. Check for discoloring. If then look bad, get a new set.

Start small then work your way up to the more pricey possible problems.