Very Poor Acceleration.

[Jonpolley]

I have a '96 Ford Escort LX 1.6


The car was bought used in December and passed its MOT in Jan with no issues.

Since then I have driven about 7,000 miles. With no problems at all (Other than a flat battery because I left an interior light on for three days.. whoops!)

I have no service history for the car, and other than topping up oil, water and washer fluid the car has had no servicing since I purchased it.


Yesterday I started to experience very poor acceleration with the car.

It idles at around 900 -1000 rpm so no issue there, but when I accelerate the revs increase steadily, they do not shoot up but the car has no power, It accelerates at about half the rate I would expect, maybe less.

The issue occurs at all speeds, but is far worse at at lower speeds. In fifth gear driving at 70-75mph the car can maintain a steady speed, but struggles going uphill and revs higher than normal.

Any suggestions as to what may be the cause of the issue?

I don't think it is a stuck break, as travelling downhill is no issue and I can coast down a hill with no throttle used at all.

I also don't think it is the catalytic converter as I cannot find any deposits on the exhaust pipe, and I have been told that there would be "horse hair" like deposits there.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[smoothdriver108]

An easy thing to check would be the air filter, but hopefully someone with more expertise will chip in.

[Jonpolley]

Thanks, but as it turned out the car died on the M6.... it was the clutch.

£175 inc vat for a replacement so not too bad.

The car drives so much better now its a massive difference.