Car loosing speed too quickly uphill... and power loss

amu1983 · 27th June 2007, 13:09

Hi,

I travel on a small stretch of a highway everyday, as it's the route to my office. The highway has a few up/downward slopes, and earlier my car would easily maintain the speed of 80 when on an upward slope.

Of late, this is not the case. The speed drops quickly to 60 and no matter how hard I push for the gas, it never crosses 60. As a result, I have to change lanes, and encounter the annoying slow moving traffic ahead. Earlier it could maintain the speed of 80 with a modest use of throttle.

What may be wrong? The acceleration on level ground seems to be fine. However, the high-end power seems to be lower than what it was. That is, I can feel the reluctance to go from 40 to 60 in 3rd gear, which wasn't the case earlier. But, if I'm in 4th gear, 40 to 60 is a piece of cake.

Could it be dirty fuel filter? Worn out clutch? Please throw some light...
It's a 2001 MPFI Maruti Zen.

navdeep · 27th June 2007, 13:17

It could be either of them. Checkout your fuel first.

risga · 27th June 2007, 13:21

Could be a dirty air filter. Have it cleaned and check out your performance on this stretch.

mclaren1885 · 27th June 2007, 13:38

Clogged air filter, clutch worn out, fried up piston rings. Could be a lot of things. Suggest you take it to a MASS at the earliest.

hvkumar · 27th June 2007, 13:49

Check your HT cable too

moralfibre · 27th June 2007, 13:52

Hi Amu1983, the observations you mentioned are similar to what Samurai experienced. Here is thread to read - Problem with the Baleno

esteem_lover · 27th June 2007, 13:52

Maybe your handbrakes are engaged, please check.

nitrous · 27th June 2007, 14:07

Let us know how many kms its run on the odo.
It would be easier to narrow it in.

zakaaaaasss · 27th June 2007, 14:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by moralfibre

Hi Amu1983, the observations you mentioned are similar to what Samurai experienced. Here is thread to read - Problem with the Baleno

kiran bacchey kee jaan logey kya

....just kidding

amu@ from the description seems u r in hinjewadi.....MUL dealer 'My Car' is just at Wakad. IMO visit the dealer ASAP for diagnosis

amu1983 · 27th June 2007, 15:35

Total kms - 60,000
After Clutch replacement - 5000
Extensive Servicing done 2-3 weeks back.
Air filter replaced during servicing, and is sparkling white.

I think, the issue is very minor one... like a bend in one of the fuel wires, fuel filter, etc. Coz a major fault should have got fixed/pointed-out during servicing. Will visit a dealer and get it diagnosed. Thanks.

BTW... The issue is not very apparent when climbing at low speeds. My car climbs a steep incline in 3rd (speed 20-40) just as before.

@Zakas - Yes, I work in Baner. The best part about my job is driving from Chandani Chowk to Baner via the express highway everyday!!!

Zappo · 27th June 2007, 19:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by amu1983

I can feel the reluctance to go from 40 to 60 in 3rd gear, which wasn't the case earlier. But, if I'm in 4th gear, 40 to 60 is a piece of cake.

This is amazing. Normally it is supposed to be the other way round. In fact it sounds more like a rev-limiter at work. Since you mentioned that the clutch has been replaced just 5000kms back and the air filter is sparkling white after a recent replacement it could very well be a minor adjustment they made for better FE. Does the car starts feeling breatheless on higher revs on any incline?

27th June 2007, 13:09	#1
amu1983 BHPian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 144 Thanked: 0 Times	Car loosing speed too quickly uphill... and power loss Hi, I travel on a small stretch of a highway everyday, as it's the route to my office. The highway has a few up/downward slopes, and earlier my car would easily maintain the speed of 80 when on an upward slope. Of late, this is not the case. The speed drops quickly to 60 and no matter how hard I push for the gas, it never crosses 60. As a result, I have to change lanes, and encounter the annoying slow moving traffic ahead. Earlier it could maintain the speed of 80 with a modest use of throttle. What may be wrong? The acceleration on level ground seems to be fine. However, the high-end power seems to be lower than what it was. That is, I can feel the reluctance to go from 40 to 60 in 3rd gear, which wasn't the case earlier. But, if I'm in 4th gear, 40 to 60 is a piece of cake. Could it be dirty fuel filter? Worn out clutch? Please throw some light... It's a 2001 MPFI Maruti Zen.
	() Thanks

27th June 2007, 13:17	#2
navdeep BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pune Posts: 892 Thanked: 4 Times	It could be either of them. Checkout your fuel first.
	() Thanks

27th June 2007, 13:21	#3
risga BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 233 Thanked: 59 Times	Could be a dirty air filter. Have it cleaned and check out your performance on this stretch.
	() Thanks

27th June 2007, 13:38	#4
mclaren1885 BANNED Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bangalore (the city of modded cars) !! Posts: 4,820 Thanked: 45 Times View My Garage Infractions: 0/1 (10)	Clogged air filter, clutch worn out, fried up piston rings. Could be a lot of things. Suggest you take it to a MASS at the earliest.
	() Thanks

27th June 2007, 13:49	#5
hvkumar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 7,369 Thanked: 3,454 Times	Check your HT cable too
	() Thanks

27th June 2007, 13:52	#6
moralfibre Team-BHP Support Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: MH-12 Posts: 8,452 Thanked: 13,975 Times	Hi Amu1983, the observations you mentioned are similar to what Samurai experienced. Here is thread to read - Problem with the Baleno
	() Thanks

27th June 2007, 13:52	#7
esteem_lover Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Madras/Py Posts: 7,556 Thanked: 502 Times View My Garage	Maybe your handbrakes are engaged, please check.
	() Thanks

27th June 2007, 14:07	#8
nitrous Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: UAE/Lon/Madras Posts: 6,965 Thanked: 325 Times View My Garage	Let us know how many kms its run on the odo. It would be easier to narrow it in.
	() Thanks

27th June 2007, 15:35	#10
amu1983 BHPian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 144 Thanked: 0 Times	Total kms - 60,000 After Clutch replacement - 5000 Extensive Servicing done 2-3 weeks back. Air filter replaced during servicing, and is sparkling white. I think, the issue is very minor one... like a bend in one of the fuel wires, fuel filter, etc. Coz a major fault should have got fixed/pointed-out during servicing. Will visit a dealer and get it diagnosed. Thanks. BTW... The issue is not very apparent when climbing at low speeds. My car climbs a steep incline in 3rd (speed 20-40) just as before. @Zakas - Yes, I work in Baner. The best part about my job is driving from Chandani Chowk to Baner via the express highway everyday!!! Last edited by amu1983 : 27th June 2007 at 15:39.
	() Thanks