2000 almera sluggish

mondymike

Before i get the standard answers,

It is a belted model, so no timing chain to slip.
i checked the cat and it is a vertical one leading down from the manifold.
and i cannot see any split hoses.


The car is a standard 1.5 almera. 80k no other issues.

When you drive the car it appears there is a blockage. the car appears to lift off normally and then retard as if (best description is like you are towing a trailer and get reigned in as the car moves off) it gets easier if you are travelling downhill but regardless the car will not rev above 4.5k normally, however if you lift off and go back on you can get 5k but it is clearly struggling.

it is a daily car and does not affect the day to day driving.

any help much appreciated,

ianobrien

The (european) 1.5 has a timing chain.........

Is there any lights on the dashboard?

Has the fuel consumption increased?

What are the revs when idling when warm?

I'm thinking the car could be in "safe mode", coil gone, totally blocked air filter, collapsed cat...... That type of think is hard to diagnose over the internet and the best think is to take it to a good mechanic

mondymike

belts are all exposed. no lights on dashboard, fuel consumption isnt great. idles just fine regardless. had bad idling issues and issues before with cutting out but that was down to plugs not being gapped right. plug gap tolerances seem to be a big issue on these cars.

with this being a threeway cat(?) if it has collapsed i presume that is why it still drives. no discernible smoke from the rear thou

ianobrien

I guess you're getting the "fan" belt (the one that drives the alternator/Power steering/ac compressor) mixed up with the timing chain. The chain is in the engine (if you angle a mirror correctly in the oil filler you can see it)

Is it idleing at 800rpm, or 600rpm?
When were the plugs last changed?
Are they the right plugs? (I don't have the number for the correct one here)
What state is the air filter in?
How much has the fuel consumption increased by?
When was the fuel filter last changed?
Did the car run out of petrol recently, or did it nearly run out of petrol?


If it were me, I'd be checking them above and if unseccessful heading to a mechanic who can operate diagnostic equipment correctly.

congo_90

Check fuel pump. Is it operating normally?
Check air filter. Blocked or badly dirted?
Check around engine head to see for oil leakages. Could be a posible gasket leak. If seen then check the oil filler cap for gunk + check cooland and oil levels.

Lastly but less likely, Been using ok petrol? e.g not old stock from something lying up or from a can?

mondymike

Ian,
idles at 800-900,

plugs are recent enough. less than 1 year, plugs checked against handbook reccommendations, new air filter, same issues with filter removed. consumption down 20-25%.
fuel filter not changed recently, but engine idles smooothly so i dont think thats the issue

congo
fuel pump seems fine,
no oil leaks, no yoghurt on oil filler cap, coolant and oil levels fine. Petrol is some of maxols/esso/Apples finest.

car drives absoutely perfect apart from this..... a perfectly boring almera otherwise!

ianobrien

The idle seems to rule out coil and running on three cylinders.

I'm thinking fuel pressure/partially blocked exhaust/ECU

Does the Almera have a distributor? I know my '05 one doesn't. I'm thinking stuck advance weights in a distributor. I had one stick before and it limited the revs to 3k ish.

mondymike

ok, i'll check them out. thanks ian


no dizzy, has the