severe lack of power when setting off?

1. rebeccasaxo Newbie Joined: Sep 2011 Leicestershire Posts: 5 Citroen Saxo Westcoast 1.4

   #1 18th September 2011, 22:47

   right
   got a new catalytic converter for the MOT, since then (not sure if it's related) but there's a severe lack of power when setting off in first (from a junction, roundabout etc) even when my foot is down flat on the throttle and the car judders, feels as if it's about to stall, sometimes putting it into second helps or sometimes the power will come all of a sudden practically giving my whiplash :L
   all that usually only happens when the engine is cold
   also, it's only happened a couple of times but the car couldn't idle so at traffic lights/waiting at roundabouts the engine would just cut itself out :/
   
   thank you for any suggestions
   
   btw it's a 1999 s reg westcoast citroen saxo
2. Ben_SaxoForte Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2009 Stoke-on-trent Posts: 2640 Mk5 Golf GTTDI Mk2 VTR Project

   #2 18th September 2011, 23:04

   is the engine management light on? possibly lambda sensor
3. rebeccasaxo Newbie Joined: Sep 2011 Leicestershire Posts: 5 Citroen Saxo Westcoast 1.4

   #3 18th September 2011, 23:11

   no, the engine management light isn't on.
   and yeah i thought that before (been happening a while) so cleaned the lambda sensor with brake cleaner and put it back in, could it still be faulty? like worth buying a brand new one?
   thank you
4. Ben_SaxoForte Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2009 Stoke-on-trent Posts: 2640 Mk5 Golf GTTDI Mk2 VTR Project

   #4 18th September 2011, 23:34

   Hmm I would of thought a faulty lambda would bring the light on but not sure
5. -SaxoFurio Newbie Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 8

   #5 19th September 2011, 08:05

   icv? Just a possibility.
6. rebeccasaxo Newbie Joined: Sep 2011 Leicestershire Posts: 5 Citroen Saxo Westcoast 1.4

   #6 19th September 2011, 08:51

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by -SaxoFurio icv? Just a possibility.

   is that an easy replacement to do or not? how much would the part cost?
   thanks for your help
7. Ben_SaxoForte Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2009 Stoke-on-trent Posts: 2640 Mk5 Golf GTTDI Mk2 VTR Project

   #7 19th September 2011, 15:07

   icv is easy to replace just 2 torx screws, when was the car last serviced by the way? could be a blocked up fuel filter not getting enough fuel through. If you know any1 else that owns a saxo/106 then you could try swapping sensors over to find the problem as it can turn out to be a guessing game with sensors and some don't come cheap!
8. rebeccasaxo Newbie Joined: Sep 2011 Leicestershire Posts: 5 Citroen Saxo Westcoast 1.4

   #8 19th September 2011, 20:51

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Ben_SaxoForte icv is easy to replace just 2 torx screws, when was the car last serviced by the way? could be a blocked up fuel filter not getting enough fuel through. If you know any1 else that owns a saxo/106 then you could try swapping sensors over to find the problem as it can turn out to be a guessing game with sensors and some don't come cheap!

   April but the fuel filter wasn't changed so that could definitely be a possibility.
   
   we've fitted a new lambda sensor tonight, will see tomorrow if it's fixed, so hoping for the best.
   
   thanks for your help
9. user_35776 Established Member Joined: Jul 2009 Barnstaple Posts: 1666 Mk 6 zetec s

   #9 19th September 2011, 21:23

   Sounds like lambda sensor to me
   Is it done up tight ?
10. rebeccasaxo Newbie Joined: Sep 2011 Leicestershire Posts: 5 Citroen Saxo Westcoast 1.4

    #10 20th September 2011, 08:42

    The saxo drives absolutely fine since the new lambda sensor so thank you for all your help!
    I'll be back if anything else goes wrong!
    x
11. Ben_SaxoForte Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2009 Stoke-on-trent Posts: 2640 Mk5 Golf GTTDI Mk2 VTR Project

    #11 20th September 2011, 17:08

    Glad u got it sorted out, guess u didnt need any help after all! haha