Hi, I have just bought a 2003 Ford Fiesta Mk6 and I am finding the car which lacks power especially up inclines. It seems like a chocked exhaust system or the buterfly valve in the intake is not opening enough. Perhaps it is a conception because I drove a Toyota 1.5 diesel before. Any help please?

What engine is in the Fiesta ?

1.3 with a timing chain not belt. I am not familiar with the car yet because I bought it yesterday. On the engine cover is written a word finishing with tec

I read before I bought it that the 1.3 is a bit lazy but I din not figure to this extend

I think that's either 60 or 70 ps output ? ( when new ), & compared to even a 1.5 diesel, which will have lot's more torque, it's just not a powerful engine.

It's a Duratec engine

1.3 with a timing chain not belt. I am not familiar with the car yet because I bought it yesterday. On the engine cover is written a word finishing with tec

There's your problem. The 1.3 Duracrap (Duratec) engines are terrible and underpowered. The 1.25 Zetec-S 16v was a much smoother and better powered engine (although still gutless on the whole).

From my experience (owning one and seeing them for sale) the 1.3 engines commonly have head gasket issues as well.

Oooops it seems I made a bad choice. Mind you I am not young anymore and I am not looking for speed but compared to other cars it is a slow engine. But for me and my wife for the everyday running in Malta (small Island) it suits me fine I hope.

I am looking forward to go overland with it.

Thanks Jamie

It should be ok for driving around Malta - send my regards to Mellieha :)

Oooops it seems I made a bad choice. Mind you I am not young anymore and I am not looking for speed but compared to other cars it is a slow engine. But for me and my wife for the everyday running in Malta (small Island) it suits me fine I hope.

I am looking forward to go overland with it.

Thanks Jamie

As long as you don't NEED more power than it has then you will be fine. Just keep an eye on the coolant/oil in case the head gasket starts to give you issues.

Jamie can you explain more about the head gasket issue? Do you mean that the oil mixes with coolant or vice versa? Is it a common fault with this model?

Jamie can you explain more about the head gasket issue? Do you mean that the oil mixes with coolant or vice versa? Is it a common fault with this model?

Yes and no. It can either burn coolant or contamination can happen (oil in coolant or vice versa - even both). I've had it happen once personally and seen a few other Fiestas with the 1.3 for sale on Gumtree with that issue. Maybe it isn't as common as I think, certainly not as bad as the K-Series engines Rover manufactured in the 1990s.