I have a 2001 Escape that sat for approx a year with only the occasional driving (maybe a mile at best each month). It recently began giving me issues getting past 2000 RPM's....it would seem to stick, but then get past it with a surge and be fine. Now it just won't go above the 2k mark at all. Based on other posted suggestions on the similar topic I put on a new fuel filter, but alas no luck and still not going above the magical 2k threshold...any ideas? I don't have lots of money to throw at it, but as you can see I live in Ohio and winter will be upon us soon and would much rather drive this than our Honda Accord when the snow & ice set in.

 

I would check fuel pressure and volume, the fuel filter and throttle linkage. A limit on available fuel can limit rpms, and power. A gummed linkage can limit travel of the butterfly, limiting power. I would also check the air filter and housing to see if the mice have moved out yet. If that doesn't do it, check the quality of the fuel as you can have strange{to me} things happening to fuel these days as it 'ages', and yours doesn't seem to be replaced very often...
tom

 

Thank you so much for your suggestions. I did change the fuel filter out and pulled the air filter to make sure no 'mice' were living there It seemed to be clear of anything and the air filter itself very clean.

How would I go about checking the 'throttle linkage'? I have checked the fule pressure and that seemed good...sprayed all over me actually

I should probably mention it seems to be running VERY HOT as well, but was thinking that's due to it trying so hard to get past the 2K mark and being unable to do so?

I'm about to call it quits and just take her in to a automotive shop that's close enough I can put over at 2000 RPM without getting pulled over !!!

Anyway, thanks again for the help and any others that jump in and offer additional suggestions. This site is great and I really appreciate it !!!

 

Two thoughts that come to mind are 1) check the spark plugs. and 2)disconnect the MAF for testing purposes. If the plugs are fouled, or the COP, coil on plug, ignition is failing, you will get misfire and lack of power. If the MAF doesn't work properly, you can get lack of power as too much air and too little fuel could be fed to the engine.
You can rent or borrow a fuel gauge from some auto parts stores. As long as you bring it back in one piece you get a full refund. I would check for fuel volume, as in XXoz per 15 seconds, and the pressure being within bounds. If you don't get volume, you would then check the filter, followed by the pickup sock and the pump.
If this thing has sat for a long time, you could have a ton of H2O in the tank, and it will not burn readily. Maybe draining the tank and checking for a water layer at the bottom is in order.
tom

 

Noticed something new....seems to be a muffling sound coming from the back when I push down on the accelerator

I just don't know....feeling like just taking it in to the shop

 

Use a fuel pressure gauge hooked to the system to drain the old fuel out of the tank. Check for water. Check the pressure.
Most rpm limits are caused by lack of fuel supply to run faster, or plugged up exhaust.
Pull an O2 sensor and run it to see if the exhaust is plugged. It will be noisy, but the rpms should increase if it is back pressure.
tom

 

Did you find the problem? Could be the catalytic converters stopped up,

 

its doing the same thing and the mechanic said its problably the Cats, and they are 1200 for both front and rear

 

Have you guys checked for trouble codes?
I did not see any references to checking.