Acceleration problems

Taiko

I may as well get the joke aspect out the way to start with, and state the car is a Micra, which is probably what the problem is.

But on the more serious note, last few times I've driven, I've noticed it seems to take a while to get up to a decent speed on the motorway. Never had this problem before, so I'm wondering what may be wrong. Just noticed it more doing a drive from Cardiff to Portsmouth, it's sluggish to get going but fine at all other times.

Hammyman

When was the last time anyone bothered servicing it?

George_Michael

To be honest, trying to give advice for a problem like yours is just about impossible without being able to test the car.

It could any number of things from the timing, throttle position sensor, fuel injector problem etc.
You really need to take it to a good garage (one that has reasonable diagnostic equipment) and get them to plug it into the car and run a full test.

Taiko

It was serviced 9 months ago, is a 1997 model, 33k on the clock.

Wasn't sure it'd be that straightforward as posting about it on here. I'll try and get it booked in somewhere this week though that can test it out. Thanks though!

agrinnall

Taiko wrote: »

It was serviced 9 months ago, is a 1997 model, 33k on the clock.

Wasn't sure it'd be that straightforward as posting about it on here. I'll try and get it booked in somewhere this week though that can test it out. Thanks though!

Have you checked to see if the brakes are binding? That could cause the problem you've described.

birkee

Last time I encountered this symptom, was restricted fuel supply.
In this case, a blocked fuel filter, it couldn't get petrol at the rate the accel demanded.
Also, bear in mind a blocked breather on the tank, so drawing petrol created a vacuum in the tank.
Or, from the other direction, leaky fuel pipe sucking in air? What's the consumption like?

Thats my best guess with a fault that just develops, rather than a fault that happens suddenly......... With all the electronics on cars these days ???
Did once put a battery back on a Rover 214, accidentally trapping the vacuum pipe to the engine management module......any work been done on the car recently that may have caused it?

Banacek

Does the car pull up hills ok?

Taiko

Not had any work done recently to the car.

Uphill was a bit of a problem, but I've just put that down to it being a Micra. Lately though, I'm having to drop right down for it. I was on the A34 Friday, and really struggled on what should've been a simple enough hill.

skiddlydiddly

All your sparkplug leads on securely?If you have the right socket just have a look at the plugs too.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

97 model. 33K? not used often then, short trips? could be the cat is blocked due to not getting warm enough to burn the crud off, or a timing tensioner is worn they have timing chains with silly plastic tensioners any wrattling from the engine or tapping if was used for short trip only could be that the engine oil didnt fully lubricate anything properly and was cold oil increasing premature wear. stuck valve? any smoke white, blue or grey or black present?

Banacek

With the bonnet raised and the engine running does the engine seem to tick over smoothly or is it a bit jerky when observed running?