Acceleration problems

[shabbagaz]

Please excuse my lack of knowledge - I know nothing about cars!

I've had a problem with acceleration and getting it to a high speed quickly (on national speed limit roads).  What happens is I can get it to 40mph ok but it 'hesitates' when trying to get to 50mph +.  I recently took it into my local garage where I get it serviced - he was perplexed by it as when he took it for a test drive he found the same thing.  He couldn't find anything wrong with it either - he said the car runs as smooth as a nut.  He suggested 'remapping' - although his garage doesn't specialise in electrics they do have a car electrician that comes in now and again.

Anyway, after feedback from the car electrician, he suggested nothing would be gained by that - the guy who runs the garage suggested having the fuel injectors cleaned out. 

I'm currently in Scarborough (I mentioned to the guy at the garage that I'll let him know how I got on with the car).   Anyway, I didn't have much trouble getting here but it did struggle quite badly on a couple of hills on the A59.
I've since driven to and from Pickering - again it struggled on hills but more or less fine on a 'flat' road.  Today was by far the worst - driving back from Robin's Hood Bay, it struggled horrendously on one hill and I couldn't get it beyond 20mph, and it was a national speed limit road!  On another hill, it was doing 4000 revs but I still couldn't get it up to speed, despite me really putting my foot down.

Does anyone know what the problem might be?  Maybw the fuel injectors do need cleaning?  The car may be 'clogged up' as it's usually short journeys (at 30/40mph) I do - this is the first long journey I've done.  Could it be a transmission problem?

I'm eager to get it sorted as today's performance was beyond embarrassing - think the drivers behind me must have been infuriated.  I'm dreading the drive home tomorrow.

 

For info its a 2011 (61 plate) Fiesta Zetec, 1.4 litre engine, automatic transmission.

[jbell]

1.4TDCI? Quite an underpowered engine when working correctly; worth checking if turbo is working properly as without it I imagine you'd be faster on a horse. 

[Dan140]

OP - how long have you had the car? Is this a recent issue or has it always been this way? Sounds almost like the car is in limp mode but I would expect you would have a warning light of some kind if that was the case.

Your bio says Fiesta Zetec which would suggest to me it is the 1.4 petrol with 95bhp, if my googling is correct. 95bhp *should* be plenty enough to prevent you struggling up hills and accelerating over 50mph. The 4 speed automatic which will be longer geared than a 5 or 6 speed manual (so you get less acceleration) probably doesn't help matters but what you describe sounds like you are missing a big chunk of power.

It may be wise to take it to a Ford dealer and see if they can find any fault codes. They may be able to reflash the ECU to reset it which often solves problems. I presume you changed spark plugs etc. when it was serviced? Injectors are a possibility, but anyone trying to diagnose online will be speculating really.

[shabbagaz]

I've had the car just over 3 years.  It's been this way for a while - at first I thought it may have just been 'me' but my local garage found the same where the acceleration tends to hesitate then 'kicks in'.  Having said that, it wasn't actually too bad coming back from Scarborough and seemed to be ok on the less steeper inclines.

The last two services have had (Aug 2017 and Aug 2016) were only interim services since I only do low mileage so spark plugs weren't changed then - the last major/full service I had was in Aug 2015.

There's definitely been no warning light - I've never had it thank God.  Someone else suggested limp mode but another person (note: people I asked on Twitter) suggested it could be the Air Mass Sensor.

It's left me perplexed and also my local garage - even though they noticed the acceleration problem, they said the car runs as smooth as a nut.

My nearest Ford dealer is an Evans Halshaw one - I'm a bit wary of them as their reputation isn't great to say the least in terms of servicing & repairs.

Another suggestion I've had off a couple of work colleagues is changing the fuel - I normally get supermarket (Sainsburys or Morrisons) fuel but was suggested trying BP/Shelll/Texaco although I'm not sure what difference that would make (probably little).  Was also suggested to me to use Super Unleaded but again, I'm not sure what difference that would make.

[InsideByte]

3 hours ago, shabbagaz said:

I've had the car just over 3 years.  It's been this way for a while - at first I thought it may have just been 'me' but my local garage found the same where the acceleration tends to hesitate then 'kicks in'.  Having said that, it wasn't actually too bad coming back from Scarborough and seemed to be ok on the less steeper inclines.

The last two services have had (Aug 2017 and Aug 2016) were only interim services since I only do low mileage so spark plugs weren't changed then - the last major/full service I had was in Aug 2015.

There's definitely been no warning light - I've never had it thank God.  Someone else suggested limp mode but another person (note: people I asked on Twitter) suggested it could be the Air Mass Sensor.

It's left me perplexed and also my local garage - even though they noticed the acceleration problem, they said the car runs as smooth as a nut.

My nearest Ford dealer is an Evans Halshaw one - I'm a bit wary of them as their reputation isn't great to say the least in terms of servicing & repairs.

Another suggestion I've had off a couple of work colleagues is changing the fuel - I normally get supermarket (Sainsburys or Morrisons) fuel but was suggested trying BP/Shelll/Texaco although I'm not sure what difference that would make (probably little).  Was also suggested to me to use Super Unleaded but again, I'm not sure what difference that would make.

Its worth filling the tank up with bp ultimate or shells nitro+, it has additives that clear alot of crap in the fuel system and if you are using supermarket fuel I bet you have, also getting some sensor spray and cleaning the MAF can make a big difference sometimes but it is worth doing 

[Dan140]

3 hours ago, shabbagaz said:

I've had the car just over 3 years.  It's been this way for a while - at first I thought it may have just been 'me' but my local garage found the same where the acceleration tends to hesitate then 'kicks in'.  Having said that, it wasn't actually too bad coming back from Scarborough and seemed to be ok on the less steeper inclines.

The last two services have had (Aug 2017 and Aug 2016) were only interim services since I only do low mileage so spark plugs weren't changed then - the last major/full service I had was in Aug 2015.

There's definitely been no warning light - I've never had it thank God.  Someone else suggested limp mode but another person (note: people I asked on Twitter) suggested it could be the Air Mass Sensor.

It's left me perplexed and also my local garage - even though they noticed the acceleration problem, they said the car runs as smooth as a nut.

My nearest Ford dealer is an Evans Halshaw one - I'm a bit wary of them as their reputation isn't great to say the least in terms of servicing & repairs.

Another suggestion I've had off a couple of work colleagues is changing the fuel - I normally get supermarket (Sainsburys or Morrisons) fuel but was suggested trying BP/Shelll/Texaco although I'm not sure what difference that would make (probably little).  Was also suggested to me to use Super Unleaded but again, I'm not sure what difference that would make.

Ok so I would definitely advise getting a full service done as a first course of action, old spark plugs/blocked up air filter could definitely cause the hesitation you describe. I would also make sure that you are using a good fully synthetic oil that’s the correct viscosity as defined in your owners manual (likely 10W40 but check to be sure).

I’d ignore the fuel advice as although supermarket fuel is allegedly not as good as Shell/BP, we’re not exactly talking about a high strung racing engine here (98 octane super unleaded would be a total waste of your money to be honest). 

Air mass sensor is definitely another possibility and an easy fix - I’ve not done it with a fiesta but they are usually easy to remove and you can get some electrical cleaner to sort that. Bet there is a YouTube tutorial somewhere.

You said you do a lot of short trips which can cause the catalytic converter to become bunged up and again, give you the issues you describe, but this would be lower down my list of possible causes as you would likely throw an engine warning light (but not definitely).

If all that doesn’t help...well it may be that it’s actually fine and you need a motor with a bit more poke! I will say that the old school automatics as found in your car can feel incredibly lethargic and I’ve found you have to floor and rev the nuts off them to achieve a respectable rate of acceleration.

Hope you get it sorted one way or another!

[cjsemple]

I would definitely agree with the above - supermarket fuel can be really poor quality, especially Morrison's - stick to BP/Shell/Texaco in future but I'd put some premium fuel through it a couple of times as the additives will help clean the system out. Asda's fuel is alright but have had experience of what Morrison's fuel can do to your engine - steer well clear!

Also would definitely agree with getting a major service done as it's been almost 3 years since your last - major services include fuel treatments and changing the fuel filter whereas minor ones don't - perhaps try a Ford garage for getting the service done at too - though not Evans Halshaw 😉 - some may have deals on for services with genuine parts or free breakdown cover etc.

Good luck getting it sorted! 

[shabbagaz]

Cheers for all the advice and help - it's very much appreciated!

Was going to wait until August to get it serviced but may just bring it forward - may have to wait this month though as my bank account's had a serious battering recently.

I know there's been several debates on supermarket fuel Vs BP/Shell/Texaco etc but opinions seem to vary wildly.  However, I did fill up at BP yesterday and do intend on giving it a run out on the M55 to see how it performs.

One other thing, is it worth putting some Redex in?

[cjsemple]

Certainly worth giving redex a shot, it's cheap enough if you buy it from a supermarket!

[Doylie]

Its on offer at Asda at the mo for £2

https://groceries.asda.com/product/car-maintenance/redex-petrol-injector-fuel-system-cleaner/6311359

 

[francoa]

Hi I a have a 2004 Ford Fiesta 1.4. If I put the ac on the car looses alot of power. If I stop I can't pull away while the ac is on. We did a pressure test and it's 1200. Where can I start looking for the problem thanking you

[unofix]

Sounds very much like the AC compressor is seizing up. I once had a very similar problem with a Ford Galaxy.