Hi folks,

S reg fiesta 1.25 zetec has been over revving for a while and has today lost power - struggles to get anywhere near 30mph and seems to be running hot.

Very much a novice with cars but if theres anything obvious i should look for before paying through the nose I'd appreciate the advice.

Many thx

Andy

WHen you start the engine from cold whats it ticking over at?

WHen you start the engine from cold whats it ticking over at?

Hi

1100-1200 rpm;

cheers

well thats about right in these colder temps, what makes you think the engine is running hot?

well thats about right in these colder temps, what makes you think the engine is running hot?

Hi

It smelled hot!

Its got very little 'go' at all. 20mph seems about its limit - foot down on the accelerator just builds the revs (as expected) but doesnt transfer much to the wheels!

Could be the clutch - if the revs build but the wheels don't speed up it sounds like a slipping clutch. Would also explain the smell (burning?). My old car did this before I bought it, you put your foot down and the revs built up but it had very little acceleration. A new clutch sorted this (the previous owner used to ride the clutch).

Yeas ounds like the clutch, when going from 1st to 2nd does it change gear ok, does the clutch feel light or no impression when its brought in?.

Yeas ounds like the clutch, when going from 1st to 2nd does it change gear ok, does the clutch feel light or no impression when its brought in?.

I'll pop out and check but dont recall any difficulty in changing gear...first symptoms were that it took a while for the revs to drop off after changing gear; now wouldnt risk a right turn across traffic in it!

Test the clutch put the car hand brake fully on start engine put it in gear let clutch in quickly (make sure nothing in front) car should stall if it does the clutch is ok, sounds more like the engine management unit has switched to safe mode to me

Thx for the reply - i will do the test and see. If its the engine management system is there anything i can do to reset?

cheers

Hi

It smelled hot!

Its got very little 'go' at all. 20mph seems about its limit - foot down on the accelerator just builds the revs (as expected) but doesnt transfer much to the wheels!

Does sound like the clutch.

Are you able to get any speed up by gentle use of the throttle?

Does sound like the clutch.

Are you able to get any speed up by gentle use of the throttle?

Hi

Speed does build very slowly but with high revs and a burning smell...

Can hardly get any movement forward or backwards now and it wont stall with handbrake on and in gear when the clutch is let out. New clutch tomorrow ...i guess.

Yep I'm afraid so!