Slow mk1b??? Need help!

[37831999]

Hi all, I recently bought a mk1b as my mk2 tubby is in for a rebuild. Car start and runs fine now after fixing a few obvious problems like, loose multiplugs on the injectors, crushed vacuum pipe on TVIS. serviced it yesterday and it's running as smooth as anything but it lacks power. All seemed fine until I got in my mate 1.6 fiesta zetec s and it pulls! Mine don't!

Are these just slow cars? Cause new they were ment to have 128 hp??? I know it's old and would have last power. Is there anyone in the south east or near thats got a mk1 for me to compare to? Or any advise on why the car don't pull like other 1.6 motors???

Any help would be greatly appreciated !

[Tiamat]

New they had 122bhp, don't forget they are quite heavy too.

When you changed the TVIS hoses did you change the ones on the bottom of the intake manifold? You have to get underneath and look up to change them, only a couple of them but it may make a difference.

Also did you service it? Rotor arm, dizzy, plugs etc? If its been neglected like it sounds like the previous owner did, then may be suffering from a loss of core power.

I also reularly put 10K boost through the engine, it does make a difference.

[37831999]

I believe it's been neglected too, took the cam cover of and it was full of gung. Done a engine flush to clear some out. Will do again some. Whilst of I noticed that the valve caps have a slight gap between the cam when fully closed. Are these just shims??? I believe the dizzy cap and arm have bern changed but the leads haven't so there next on my list.

The vacuum pipe I replaced was from underneath. It was the really short one that goes in a u shape, it was kinked.

[oukie]

I don't think they are slow cars but not in the same league as your Tubby

Have you checked the air filter also ?

Chris.

[37831999]

I don't think mine is meant to be slow lol believe something is wrong as only really get power at 5k rpm. It's got a k and n type cone filter on it???

[Charged]

I don't think mine is meant to be slow lol believe something is wrong as only really get power at 5k rpm. It's got a k and n type cone filter on it???

Take it to a mechanic who knows the car, try Pacific Works near Luton maybe

[tottacrolla]

Check the ignition timing.
There is a small boost in ignition advance set by the ecu around the revs. you are talking about, if your timing is out (retarded) it will seem like quite a big 'kick' in power.

[37831999]

Ok thanks all, more recent news is the cars been playing up, started miss firing and then cut out, after re starting car drove fine but the battery light and an red engine light came on a couple of times??? When driving on the motorway flooring it does nothing it starts to pull as I let of the accelerator, like it's over furling or something, 80mph in 5th won't go any faster unless you drop to fourth and ease of the throttle! Also idols at 1500rpm now! Any ideas? Map sensor or something??

[tottacrolla]

can you do a diagnostic test ?

[37831999]

Is it the same as doing a diagnostics test on the mk2 ??? By bridging the 2 terminals in the diagnostic plug for flash codes???

[Tiamat]

MK1 diagnosis linky:

http://www.imoc.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=119922

[sloopeh]

comopared to most cars i have driven the mk1 needs to be thrashed to get the best out of them and they seem to like you doing it to them.

[37831999]

Ok been a while but got someone who owns several and he says it is underpowered. I also noticed mild surging or maybe misfire when holding between 1000 and 3000 rpm? The main problem is pulling from a stand still. It's got no torque at all, a KA will beat me of a set of lights!! My thoughts might be throttle position sensor???

[cartledge_uk]

Have you done a diagnosis test/fault test as described above?

[37831999]

Done the test and it shows nothing. Flashes for Normal operating system.
Any other thoughts guys???

[coanda]

To me, it sounds like an air supply problem - try replacing the filter, and taking a look at the BGB to see how the intake system works - then check all of the sensors and components all the way through to the intake.

[JMR_AW11]

One person's 'fast' is another person's 'slow' so why not stick it in third gear at 2500 rpm on a flat clear road (has to be flat) and measure how long it takes to get to 3000/4000/5000/6000rpm

Then compare it with others on here

I might take out my totally std 60k miles and fairly mint mk1b tomorrow (first time in ages) so I could maybe take a few logs of the performance on the flattest road I can find
These days a mk1 MR2 isn't really a performance car in terms of straight line speed.

However, I do also have a mk1 1.6 Focus and the MR2 has a clear edge on the focus in terms of throttle response and acceleration. This is no surprise as the Focus is a bit heavier? and only has 100bhp against the 122bhp of the MR2.
Even on the motorway the MR2 has a clear advantage in terms of response and acceleration when overtaking in top gear from 70 to maybe 85mph where the Focus can be a bit of a sluggish drag in comparison.

[37831999]

Latest update is I managed to do a minor test, not quite 3000 4000 etc etc but in 3rd at 2500 it takes 3 seconds to get to 3000 and 10 seconds to get to 5000 sound about right?