Hello Guys and Girls

My first post on here so hello to all and hope you can help.

We have had this Yellow Sporting Punto 1.2 16v from new never really gave any problems though-out our ownership. This current problem has caused allot of bother :bang: and wanted to ask other owners have to had some similar problem and found an answer. :worship:

Normal driving about town is fine ! But out on the open road if you try accelerate hard its like ( an old car with the timing set to advanced ) very under powered around the top end, up hills it just loses power and forced to down gear alot ( even been in first gear a few times )

Its ok to a point but then when putting your foot down it feels like its holding back.

We have changed all the basic stuff Coilpack, leads , spark plugs checked injectors all working...

I feel it could be the MAP sensor, but at 70 odd pound i'd like to ask what you think?

Any help would be a help!

Will it rev-to the limiter, if you rev it from tick over,

Don't try this on a cold engine mind, warm it up first,


Is the catalytic convertor choking punto.

You'd expect a bad MAP sensor to throw up am eml light.

Diagnostics might reveal something, but it's hard to know what you expect: it's a small, relatively revvy engine dragging a pretty big lump of tin around.

My MR2 tub has twice the power, and I usually bang it down a gear or two for a simple overtake.

could be something as simple as collapsed rear baffles in the back box
a vacuum gauge connected up and taken for a run would confirm
used to be a common problem on fiestas where they went up to 50mph and no more

Thanks for the suggestions.

The back box seemed like some bits were rattling around in it, so getting a new one fitted. Hopefully the CAT hasn't been damaged and getting the manifold off the head could be a pain.

Cheers again for all the suggestion, and fingers cross my little 1.2 16v will be back to its old self fairly soon.