HI Guys new to here and need your help. I have a 96 1.3spi felicia done 92000 miles and has all of a sudden developed a power loss.

Its most noticable on an uphill but is still there on a flat. I have changed fuel pump already thinking that might be the problem but no. Vehicle has been maintained by myself for the past 6 years given regular services at correct intervals, has a small amount of "mayonnaise" in oil filler cap but has always been there as I only do14 miles to and from work each day.

Car has had a full ignition set renewal 6 months ago and is firing on all 4 cylinders though is a bit lumpy.

Please help as I'm reluctant to send a great car to the big scrap heap in the sky and cannot afford another.

HI Guys new to here and need your help. I have a 96 1.3spi felicia done 92000 miles and has all of a sudden developed a power loss.

Its most noticable on an uphill but is still there on a flat. I have changed fuel pump already thinking that might be the problem but no. Vehicle has been maintained by myself for the past 6 years given regular services at correct intervals, has a small amount of "mayonnaise" in oil filler cap but has always been there as I only do14 miles to and from work each day.

Car has had a full ignition set renewal 6 months ago and is firing on all 4 cylinders though is a bit lumpy.

Please help as I'm reluctant to send a great car to the big scrap heap in the sky and cannot afford another.

1st check temp sender + thermostat

if you have no power might be a lot of fuel and little timing (if the exhaust glows red, most probable cause)

2nd check vave clearance

to much (above 0.20mm or 8 thou) will degrade power (i use .23 all arround for economy reasons but has great power)

3rd check coil + wires + plug gap

a coil can go bad very quick and it will fire but will not give power, same with cables or anything that will give you a weak spark

4th check timing advance 2º +/- 2º btdc

timing of 0 or 2 with unleaded can feel weak (basic timing in my car is 4º btdc using 91RON gas) but to much timing (over 6º) can make thew car weak(feeling like the clutch is slipping)

5th check cilinder presure

loose plugs dirt on valves or worn rings will make the car feel very, very punny

6th check vacuum leaks

this is actualy the first thing you need to do, servo hose and worn gaskets are most problable causes IMHO

please remove a plug and send the pic of the firing end after a 4min run and i´ll let you know what i find

best regards

first thing i would check is the lambda probe..

could also be a blockage in the exhaust system somewhere

Edited 14 November, 201015 yr by TeflonTom

Thanks for the excellent replies guys will be running through all those checks on my next day off.

In the end I have had to buy another vehicle couldnt work out the problem even with your great help. I am now looking to sell the car for spares £100 if anyone wants it, I will hold on to it for a couple of weeks but after the end of Jan I will have to scrap it.

Anyone interested PM me I am based near Plymouth, Devon.

dammit, whenever little gems which are ripe for me ruining turn up cheap they are always either too far away or an estate model :wonder:

dammit, whenever little gems which are ripe for me ruining turn up cheap they are always either too far away or an estate model :wonder:

have a 98 plate lxi going to scrappy soon but only good thing left is engine as was written off by missus front sub-frame twisted