Ford Repair: Ford Escort - Engine Blown?, good cars, ford escort

Question
My 99 Ford Escort started shuddering a few days ago.  I brought the car in and at first was told I needed a tune up as the car wasn't running on all cylinders.  I was then told that as one cylinder had lost compression I needed a new engine, which all told wasn't worth the cost of the car (they quoted me $3,000 w/tax etc).  Should I get a second opinion before ditching this car as I cannot afford to replace it?

Answer
if one cylinder lost compression there is a good chance you dropped a valve seat out of the head or burnt a valve-these aren't bad engines you have to decide if you want to gamble a partial teardown to determine the cause-if it is not knocking there is a good chance the lower part of the engine is ok-you can have the head pulled only and they can check the valves for a burnt one-the head to see if it is cracked or warped-just to pull head should cost a couple hundred dollars but remember that is just to pull and check it-regardless if you don't fix it-but if  you decide to fix it the head will already be off-i don't know a lot about your car but they are good cars-if it needs a head they can get a rebuilt one from dover cylinder heads in greenville, s.c. i have never had a problem with their work.

good luck.