Hello all

I came across the forum while looking for a solution to a problem we have...... We decided to buy a run around car as my other half has a company car and we came across a ford fiesta fusion on a 1997 p plate. The car is tidy and has been looked after but the other day we took it out for a run and on the way back she started to cough a bit and then started to lose power. I lifted my foot off the gas and put it back on and the power came back. It has done this a few times now and it is normally at high speed. Although it has done it at about 20mph once. Also this morning I drove to the end of the road and it ver revved for a couple of seconds..

Anyone have any ideas at all.

Thanks in advance

Kev

It could be something simple like needing some new spark plugs and HT leads, you'd be surprised how simple stuff like that can sort problems like these out.

From what you describe, it sounds almost like the engine might be getting starved of petrol? I say that because you said when you lifted off, and put your foot back on the gas the power was back - it could be a blockage somewhere, maybe the fuel filter? That's another thing which is quite easy to change yourself.

Does the engine do this even when it is warmed up?

That's about all I can think of at the minute, I'm not too good at fault finding but one I know what's wrong I've always been able to fix it

Thanks dan.

It does it when it is warm too. There is a slight hesitation when you rev it too.

We used it today and was fine round town as soon as we hit 50 or above it done it a couple of times. Just been tinkering around under the bonnet and found the air box was lose so tightened that up and also noticed that there was a bit of slack on the accelerator cable so maybe need a new one or tightening up but not got the haynes book yet it's in the post. Will check plugs but it had a service in December and only done a couple of thousand miles since that. Will check the paperwork and see if that was done.

Kev

Hi Kev, no problems glad I was of some help. If the air box was lose then it could have been shaking around a little and the plastic pipes which connect it together could have been causing a sudden gush of air confusing your MAF (mass air flow sensor) and therefore your ECU will inject more fuel to compensation, it might have been causing the problem you described.

The spark plugs are probably okay then in that case, but if you can get them cheap they're worthwhile doing. At least I think so, I change them every 6 months really, keeps me busy and keeps me confident above all else.

You should have a little bit of play in the accelerator cable should have a tiny amount of slack, but too much you'll feel it in the gas pedal. It will feel like a bit of play before the engine actually revs if that makes sense lol.

The newer Fiesta's are fly by wire meaning they don't have an accelerator cable it's done via potentiometer which is connected to the gas pedal and a motor which actuates the throttle butterfly in the throttle housing. Just means less maintanence really and no cable to replace which is why they've done it.

Dan

Cheers dan,

It is a lot better the other half drove up to tesco along the a406 just now and said it never lost power but every now and then it has a split second hesitation but no where near as bad. Will probably change the plugs and fuel filter when I come across it as not sure where the filter is to be honest. Thanks for the advice on the acceleration pedal and it does respond straight away just has a slight hesitation then it revs ok. Sounds like it is sucking in a bit of air if you get my drift.

We are taking it to Devon next month just praying she will get us there. It is a nice little car and who ever bought it new they even forked out for electric after fit windows. Once she is running ok then will sort the odd scabs or rust bubbles that are starting to appear.

Kev

Cheers dan,

It is a lot better the other half drove up to tesco along the a406 just now and said it never lost power but every now and then it has a split second hesitation but no where near as bad. Will probably change the plugs and fuel filter when I come across it as not sure where the filter is to be honest. Thanks for the advice on the acceleration pedal and it does respond straight away just has a slight hesitation then it revs ok. Sounds like it is sucking in a bit of air if you get my drift.

We are taking it to Devon next month just praying she will get us there. It is a nice little car and who ever bought it new they even forked out for electric after fit windows. Once she is running ok then will sort the odd scabs or rust bubbles that are starting to appear.

Kev

I had a similar problem to this in my 206 a few years ago. If I remember rightly that was the fuel pump so I thought I'd give my 2 pennies worth in case that hasnt been looked at or if that isnt a possibility?

Mike

Fuel pump is certainly a possibility, it does sound like the engine is being starved of fuel at points. Most garages will check the presure in your system, they use a gauge thingy which connects up to the injector rail and then basically rev the engine and hold it around 3,000 RPM and see if it drops - at least that was the way I did it on a V6 Mondeo years ago :D.

Kev where about in Devon are you visiting? I'm in Devon but was born and raised in Bristol. Don't worry too much about your car, I'm sure it will be fine! The biggest challenge will be Telegraph Hill when you come off the M5 and onto the A38 - well that's if you are heading into South Devon anyway.

I'm not sure on the location of the fuel filter but on my Fiesta it's on the offside under the rear passengers door - it looks like an oil filter really but has two pipes connected up to it. Changing them is easy, but make sure you have a good battery, as you'll need to crank for a while to build pressure back into the system. It's much more interesting on a diesel lol.

All the best,

Dan

Cheers lads

Anything is worth a shot. Will have a look under her later after work. As the other half said it seams to be a bit better so fingers crossed but will do plugs and change the filter and see how that goes. We are off to Dawlish not sure what part that is in and too early to think.

I have a good feeling about her making it. Will be a budget fun adventure. She really needs a good clean on the interior and will hopefully get that done at some point when I can wing a early day.

Will keep you posted as to how things go once I change the filter and plugs. By e way she has a new battery. The bloke who owned it did spend a fair bit on her. Breaks, disks, tyres oil change and filters. It was his car he used for to and from work and shopping.

Kev