Hi all, this is my first post on the forums so i will try to be as accurate and descriptive as possible
I recently purchased an "M" reg 1995 mk3 fiesta SI 1.6l 16v in which I was incredibly happy with. However I noticed on the way home that the clutch is pretty stiff and the bite point is right near the bottom is this normal for this model?. Also the accelerator pedal seems tempermental for example if i hold it down half way the car will accelerate slowly but i will feel bursts of bite as the engine is trying to accelerate harder. Also if i put my foot to the floor the engine looses revs and wont go any higher than 2.4k rpms. I noticed when testing it down my street that if i put the car in gear, push the clutch down to the ground and take my foot off the accelerator the car will move forwards without touching the accelerator pedal xD i have no idea if this problem is serious or wether it is a dodgy gas pedal or clutch pedal.

Anyone had any similar problems or have an idea of what it could be? I hope it is nothing major as i love this car!.
Thanks guys.

As far as acceleration goes, sounds like somethings restricting the fuel, possibly needs a new fuel filter, could even be the cats broken up and restricting airflow. What history do you know about the car like when was it last serviced and what if any new parts has it had recently ?

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Hi i have no history for previous repairs etc do you advise i run it into a garage and get them to have a look?. as for the clutch i have a haynes manual so i may attempt to repair it, will i have to adjust the cable? thanks

If your planning on keeping it for a while and don't have a service history for it, i recommend you give it a service and make note of the millage when you do it for your own records. Change the spark plugs and leads, change the fuel and air filter, oil & filter change, renewal anti-freeze, check condition of discs and pads and if they need changing could bleed the brakes and renewal brake fluid. Also give the ISCV and mass airflow a good clean. Haynes will be your friend if you get stuck.

You should spend abit of time looking over it yourself before taking it to a garage but could be one of several problems: spark plugs worn, maybe vacum leak on the inlet manifold, fuel filter blocked, faulty fuel pump, low cylinder compression, check the condition of the fuel lines from the tank to the engine, make sure nothings been pinched or leaking (can you smell petrol ?), cats possible broken up.

I'am sure other with more knowledge will be able to pinpoint your problem more accurately

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i was going to mention maf but was beaten to it

clutch i'm not sure on........cable could be on the way out......i can't remember where the bite is on an Si, haven't owned one for 3.5 years

check the end of the clutch cable that attaches to the gearbox, thats where they normally wear.

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thanks for the help. i will give the car a good service and see where it goes from there. What are the cats? a few people have mentioned it, is it a major problem? thanks

catalytic converter. Part of the exhaust, keeps emissions down

cars after 1992 needed them

blockage results in performance loss

decats mean failed mots

well it passed its mot test yesterday so i think the cats is fine i will have it serviced and let you all know of the results thanks everyone

If you need any help with the servicing or locating parts on the car, give us a shout and i'll try and explain or post some pics up. Good luck with it mate.

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well good news doesn't appear there is anything wrong with the car, was driving it a few days ago it spluttered and ever since has been absolutly fine (think there may have been some crap in the fuel system), clutch is still very stiff though, i managed to get hold of haynes manual is it easy to solve this? someone noted that it may be the clutch cable chaffing perhaps. any ideas? thanks

i kinda of had this problem the other week, although my cable just snapped randomly (as said above) it snapped where it connects on top of the gear box (under the battery) sort of lol

ive read somewhere to put some grease around where it connect to avoid catching at an orkward angle and snapping... i must get round to doing this on my car lol

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This is probably solved and everything but I'm going to say this anyway. With my old 1.4 si if you feel the clutch pedal at the top there was a little white thing. Round with some screw or something in. I was driving and my clutch cable snapped. The AA replaced it and didn't sort the biting point out. It was so bad I couldn't change gear and had to get it to a friends it sucked. But ha I known I was simply turning the while round thing to change the biting point I would hve been fine! So yeah. If you have that thing. Which I'll look on my new 1.6 later.. Then spin the white thing to change the bite!

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