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!

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

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.