Intermittent problem with speed being limited when accelerating?

Kent Brockman

Was overtaking a truck yesterday and suddenly the car felt like it was driving into a massive head wind (if that makes sense). It would not go past about 60mph even with my foot pushed to the floor.

I tried switching on and off the cruise control and then was able to accelerate normally again for a while.

This situation happened several times on the N7 and it was as if I had a limiter on the car!
Anyone experienced this before or know what could be causing this (it is intermittent)?

A friend said it sounded to him like dirt in the carburetor and suggested taking it for a drive and 'Reving the ****e out of it in 2nd gear'.....
Any ideas before I try mates advice?

Ronnie Beck

What type of car you got kent. Is it from the 1970's?

You'll get better info if you post make, year, engine size, petrol, diesel etc.

Kent Brockman

Ronnie Beck wrote: »

What type of car you got kent. Is it from the 1970's?

You'll get better info if you post make, year, engine size, petrol, diesel etc.

Thanks Ronnie

Its a 2008 Ford Mondeo TDCi 1.8 (Sourced & Imported from UK by local Car Dealer).

TURRICAN

Kent Brockman wrote: »

Was overtaking a truck yesterday and suddenly the car felt like it was driving into a massive head wind (if that makes sense). It would not go past about 60mph even with my foot pushed to the floor.

I tried switching on and off the cruise control and then was able to accelerate normally again for a while.

This situation happened several times on the N7 and it was as if I had a limiter on the car!
Anyone experienced this before or know what could be causing this (it is intermittent)?

A friend said it sounded to him like dirt in the carburetor and suggested taking it for a drive and 'Reving the ****e out of it in 2nd gear'.....
Any ideas before I try mates advice?

Ye try that and see. Lol

Did any light come on the dash? Or any other strange behaviour prior to this.

Best thing to do is get it plugged in for a diagnostic check.

Esel

Kent Brockman wrote: »

A friend said it sounded to him like dirt in the carburetor

Kent Brockman wrote: »

Its a 2008 Ford Mondeo TDCi 1.8 (Sourced & Imported from UK by local Car Dealer).

If your friend knew what car you had when he said that, it proves he knows FA.

Possibly a blocked DPF? A good drive at high engine revs might clear that..

Chris_Heilong

ie; modern cars dont have carburetor. Well not in the way your friend means anyway. Sounds like he has watch one too many Hollywood films.

Kent Brockman

TURRICAN wrote: »

Did any light come on the dash? Or any other strange behaviour prior to this.

No issues or problems previously and no lights on the dash. I thought maybe the cruise control was acting up, someone else suggested it may be a problem with the turbo.

I know very little of how cars/engines work (as I'm sure you can tell!) so hoped someone here had come across a similar complaint and could let me know if there was a simple explanation/fix or if a trip to the mechanics is required.

Kent Brockman

....also my friend was relating it to a similar experienced he had with his motorbike.
reving the ****e out of it in 2nd gear worked for him lol!

Ronnie Beck

Kent Brockman wrote: »

No issues or problems previously and no lights on the dash. I thought maybe the cruise control was acting up, someone else suggested it may be a problem with the turbo.

I know very little of how cars/engines work (as I'm sure you can tell!) so hoped someone here had come across a similar complaint and could let me know if there was a simple explanation/fix or if a trip to the mechanics is required.

I'd say a trip to the mechanics is required. A mechanic with proper Ford diagnostics equipment. Reading your original post you could have a faulty sensor/wiring or a blockage or fault somewhere that's being picked up by a sensor. If it's your turbo failing there will usually be alot of smoke from the exhaust under heavy acceleration.

Ronnie Beck

Kent Brockman wrote: »

....also my friend was relating it to a similar experienced he had with his motorbike.
reving the ****e out of it in 2nd gear worked for him lol!

Thats like comparing your computer controlled diesel engine to a chainsaw. You could try diptane and driving it hard. Probably won't work unless you do all slow/static urban driving.

Kent Brockman

Ronnie Beck wrote: »

Thats like comparing your computer controlled diesel engine to a chainsaw.

Kent Brockman

Got the revs up to the red in neutral and no smoke. Took it for a few short trips at high revs in 2nd gear.
Drove to Sligo and back during the week and the problem seems to be gone (for the time beingat least).

Does this sound like a blockage that has cleared?

Ronnie Beck

Kent Brockman wrote: »

Got the revs up to the red in neutral and no smoke. Took it for a few short trips at high revs in 2nd gear.
Drove to Sligo and back during the week and the problem seems to be gone (for the time beingat least).

Does this sound like a blockage that has cleared?

Ye. I would recommend using diptane all the time. Stops carbon building up in your engine.

irelandspurs

I know this might sound stupid but it might have been the overtaking the truck that was the problem,i've often over taken a truck and when along side it it feels like its sucking you back,then when you get toward the front of the truck the car shoots off.

Kent Brockman

Thanks for the suggestions.

Problem came back so took it to mechanics, Problem with fuel regulator.

Sorted now