Loss of power

Tiny
JUAN LEG
  • MEMBER
  • 2014 FORD FIESTA
  • 1.0L
  • 3 CYL
  • TURBO
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 98,000 MILES
When driving for a period of time at about 60-70 mph my car occasionally has a loss of power as though the turbo has been stolen. It becomes very sluggish and struggles to accelerate without dropping into third gear. However, if I pull over turn the car off and open the door to cut the power completely then start it up it works fine again for a few weeks. In total this has happened about six times in three months. No warning lights noises or smells coming from the engine. Any ideas?
Wednesday, July 10th, 2019 AT 5:28 AM

8 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Good morning,

This sounds like a clogged catalytic converter. The converters break apart inside and sometimes the broken pieces clog the out of the converter causing a blockage resulting in a loss of power. The engine cannot breathe when that happens.

Roy
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Wednesday, July 10th, 2019 AT 6:12 AM
Tiny
JUAN LEG
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Is that likely to go away for a time from just turning the car on and off again though?
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Wednesday, July 10th, 2019 AT 6:36 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Yes, it could. The broken piece could move once the engine stops.

Roy
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Wednesday, July 10th, 2019 AT 6:59 AM
Tiny
JUAN LEG
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Great! Thanks, I will start there then.
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Wednesday, July 10th, 2019 AT 7:01 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
You are welcome.

Always glad to help.

Roy
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Wednesday, July 10th, 2019 AT 7:13 AM
Tiny
JUAN LEG
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Just been reading up on this. It has been suggested that the failure of the catalytic converter would also lead to an eggy smell, and a drop in fuel economy and most likely an engine warning light. None of these are present in my car.
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Wednesday, July 10th, 2019 AT 7:16 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Yes to all when it is that, bad but never a light. There is a 420 code for the precious metals that wear out but never one for being clogged.

Roy
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Wednesday, July 10th, 2019 AT 7:20 AM
Tiny
BMDOUBLE
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,139 POSTS
The rotten egg smell is not always there with a catalytic converter failure. I've replaced lots of converters on Focus and Fiestas from P0420 code and intermittent loss of power, totally agree with Roy!
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Thursday, July 11th, 2019 AT 10:16 AM

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