2003 escape acting sluggish

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Feb 4, 2019 | 01:47 PM

hg3300

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2003 escape acting sluggish

Over lunchtime I found it took more effort to get up to 30mph and maintain it. Wasn't doing that this morning. What could it be and why?

Feb 4, 2019 | 02:46 PM

simonsi

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Quote:

Originally Posted by hg3300

Over lunchtime I found it took more effort to get up to 30mph and maintain it. Wasn't doing that this morning. What could it be and why?

Could be as simple as the e-brake partly applied?

Really need more info.

Does it idle ok?
Does it rev freely in neutral (say to 2-3k rpm)
Same in all gears?
Sluggish in reverse?
No warning lights or MIL lit or flashing?
Engine running smoothly (but sluggish), or hesitating/missing?

Feb 4, 2019 | 02:59 PM

yardbird

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Joined: Dec 2003

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From: Foothills of NC

If it's like a good majority of 3.0 Escapes, one, or both, of your front cats have broken up and plugged up the rear cat. Use a vacuum gauge to vacuum at idle and appx 2000-2500 rpm. Vacuum will either be low, or will start out somewhat normal and then steadily drop.

If the problem is the cats and you continue to drive it, you will eventually pop the end of the EGR valve off. You will then hear air rushing and gain some power back.

Feb 4, 2019 | 03:39 PM

hg3300

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Quote:

Originally Posted by simonsi

seems to idle fine. Haven't checked neutral. Doesn't move unless I hit the gas. Engine isn't missing, just need higher rpms to get it to go.

I do have a code for the bank 1 cat and It's been like that for months.

Feb 4, 2019 | 03:40 PM

hg3300

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Quote:

Originally Posted by yardbird

my bank 1 cat set off the cel. I still seem to be able to accelerate unlike the time when I had to replace the rear cat.

Feb 4, 2019 | 08:00 PM

simonsi

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If the car doesnt move at idle in D then I’d look for a binding brake.

Feb 4, 2019 | 08:02 PM

hg3300

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Quote:

Originally Posted by simonsi

If the car doesnt move at idle in D then I’d look for a binding brake.

Seems to be a likely culprit but intermittent. The drive home was fine. Just had an issue during lunch. What can I do to prevent this?

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Feb 10, 2019 | 06:57 PM

Dadrider

Trailering

Joined: Dec 2018

Posts: 22

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Quote:

Originally Posted by simonsi

Find the wheel that is hotter than the other side. As stated above, a sticking caliper or a front brake hose. When they fail, they constrict, and let the fluid return from the caliper to the master cylinder very very slowly then they almost hold the fluid and pads against the rotor as they get hotter.

My 2011 did that.

Dadrider.