hi, i recently bought a Escort 55 Van 1.8 non turbo, its a 1999 (T reg) with a little over 106K miles. it starts up ok after a 3-4 seconds cranking, it idles fine and revs up fine when idling....there isn't any smoke coming out the back or anything.....(only a little black puff when first turn the key)


the problem is it seems to lack in power, i'm having to drive the van foot on the floor all the time, going to 20mph in 1st gear and just over 30mph in second gear. so far i've not been able to get to 60mhp!! it took me 1/2 mile to get up to 50mph on a flat road in 3rd/4th gear!? surely thats not right?

has anyone got any ideas what it might be? i just dont fancy having to join the M1 or M62 at 35mph.

 

No that's not right, they are no balls of fire, but much better than this.
When was the fuel filter last changed ?, when was the water last drained from the filter head ?, are you sure it's getting full movement at the pump from the throttle ?
If as I suspect it is a lucas cav pump these can be turned up, fuel supply wise, my old 1.8d escort mk4 would eventually get to 112 mph on the clock, after tweaking, also try some millers diesel fuel treatment in it, but double the dose it says on the bottle, it's magical stuff and works wonders, as does using bio diesel every now and again if you can find it.
Very unlikely but also check your air filter is not blocked.
tabetha

 

i changed the fuel filter today and had a slight improvement..but i think the rear brake shoes might be binding on. how do i free them off if they are?

 

first jack up the back and see if there binding much. if not much it should be ok.
change the oil and filter.
make sure teh front braked arnt binding as mine were real bad. when it came to the MOT the guy couldnt turn the wheel :O
theres a guide on EODC by jay that explains about turning up the fuel pump. its ment to be turned about 20 degrees, but i turned mine 45 and its definatley better.

 

I was just about to say change the fuel filter lol. Yeh give your brakes a good check over. Make sure the front calipers arnt sticking.

 

was going to change the air filter (which i did) oil filter& oil, and fuel filter (which i have) but the sump plug is well and truly stuck so ive got a nice shiny new filter and full bottle of nice clean fresh oil sat there.

 

get a tight fitting socket on the sump plug and chap the bar with a hammer. thats what i did when mine was tight as a nuns cunt

 

thanks ill try that tomorrow. im hoping that once the oil and filter has been changed it'll make a slight difference