low top speed/acceleration punto 75 mk1

Hi folks,

I've recently got a Punto mk1 75S 1995. I wasn't expecting much acceleration and top speed but as it is now there must be something wrong (this is a 75 horse power engine ).

Acceleration is poor and max. speed is not more than 140-142km/h (about 87 mph) with the engine already at 4000-4200 rpm...

The former owner (my brother) told me he's gone about 160-170 km/h (102-103 mph) with it (and he wasn't talking about the year he bought the car, he talked about last year).

I last week changed the lambda sensor but unfortunately it hasn't really helped. Sometimes the emissions are quite "smelly" (although the new lambda sensor seems to have helped with it).

I was now wondering whether the problem could be the CATALYTIC CONVERTER. Could this actually be the problem? If so, does anyone know any online shop where I could but one?

Thanks for your help,

/N

What sort of smell is it?

A 75sx off the top of my head does 0-60 (0-100km) in about 12.5 seconds and goes onto a top of about 103 mph.

When was it last serviced and what did the service entail? (aka, what did you do?)

i have the same problem with my mk2 1.2 8v! same top speed as you. mine has a sort of "sweet" smell, if you know what i mean, sort of gas smelling but not quite lol.

Thanks for your reply Ransoman.

It was a strong gasoline-combustion smell but it happened just sometimes (seldom) and it seems to be fixed with the new lambda sensor.

I don't really know last time the car was serviced in a garage... I did changed all the filters (air and oil) and the oil last summer (I did it myself).

Based on your experience, could it be the catalytic converter the reason for such a lack of power? What else could it be that is causing this problem?

what country are you in?

Hi faster4_tec, I am from Spain-España although I am currently living in Denmark.

In my past experience a failing catalitic converter will not affect the power, emissions yes, but power, no. (the one on my 55s collapsed internally, apart from a buzzy noise the power was the same).

If i where you i would put a bottle of forte engine flush in (no other brand), and run it for 200 miles, then drain the oil and fill it with ONLY selenia 20k (plus new oil filter), Replace the spark plugs and the HT leads (make sure they are gapped correctly) and a new air filter. Once you have done all that your car will be tip top again.

if you do all that yourself (really easy) it should cost you no more than £80.

Hope this helps.

Could it be the water temp sensor? It could always be trying to run on cold start caused by a faulty water temp sensor telling it the engines cold. The problem could be getting masked by the new lambda sensor. Think how a carb engine loses power when the choke is out any the engines warm.