Car 'pulling back' especially when cold

[ScottyRS]

For a while now my 172 has had a seriously frustrating issue with 'pulling back'.

When driving the car from cold especially it's like the brakes are on. Accelerating no matter what speed it feels like I'm towing a tank... when changing gear it slows very quickly. When putting into 5th at 30mph it judders all over the place.

To help with any resolutions:

I've replaced the following for brand new parts in the last 2 months:

Battery, Alternator, All belts + Dephaser, Crank Sensor, x2 Lambda Sensors, Bearings, Discs + Pads, All Engine Mountings. The most important bits... full service, gearbox oil change, plugs, leads and coil pack so can rule out any misfire.

What the heck can it be? Please help

 

[Advikaz]

All the rs clio's I have ever driven haven't been all that smooth from cold mate. Obviously when the engine is cold the motor will be running choke, you shouldn't be giving it stick at this time because the oil temp is still low.

and 5th gear at 30mph? lol I'm pretty sure my 200 would judder at that pace as well.

 

[ScottyRS]

All the rs clio's I have ever driven haven't been all that smooth from cold mate. Obviously when the engine is cold the motor will be running choke, you shouldn't be giving it stick at this time because the oil temp is still low. and 5th gear at 30mph? lol I'm pretty sure my 200 would judder at that pace as well.

I'm not giving it any stick at all whilst cold. It is literally at 2,000rpm upwards that it's doing this. If it was just the normal "sluggishness" i'd accept it but this is literally like someone's pressing the brake pedal. It's extremely frustrating.

 

[banther]

Get it over to Fred@ BTM (Birmingham)

 

[The Boosh!]

Since Fred is local I would probably take it to him for a check up, however to me it sounds like you're describing a normal characteristic of the car. They're really not happy on the cold map and are extremely hesitant. How is it after 15 minutes of driving?

 

[Advikaz]

Since Fred is local I would probably take it to him for a check up, however to me it sounds like you're describing a normal characteristic of the car. They're really not happy on the cold map and are extremely hesitant. How is it after 15 minutes of driving?

This is what I was getting at, I've driven a lot of clios, 172 cups, 182s 200's 197's etc & they've all been w*nk from cold.

 

[SeanTrophy]

You've been changing all these engine parts and fluids etc, but have you considered the handbrake is stuck on? Or something simple like a seized calliper?

 

[ScottyRS]

You've been changing all these engine parts and fluids etc, but have you considered the handbrake is stuck on? Or something simple like a seized calliper?

Handbrake is fine and callipers are all fine. Had them all checked whilst getting everything changed. The car starts running much better after 10mins but obviously if there is something causing it to be very lethargic then i want to fix it before it becomes more of a problem.

 

[Advikaz]

Handbrake is fine and callipers are all fine. Had them all checked whilst getting everything changed. The car starts running much better after 10mins but obviously if there is something causing it to be very lethargic then i want to fix it before it becomes more of a problem.

I'd say get it checked by Fred, but in all honesty from what you've said it doesn't sound abnormal.

 

[Michaelfoz]

if its fine when it heats up then the calipers etc should be fine.
Mines drives horribly when cold, after 5 mins then it seems to be all good

 

[Mike-bham]

It's just the way they are. Mine's always done it.

 

[mr bognor]

Yep on cold map (closed loop ?) it runs cr*p and feels down on power till warm

 

[Cookson]

Idle for a few mins but then drive it. Changing at 2k wont help it warm up properly. Obvioulsy dont revlimit it, but 3.5-4k is fine if you have the right oil in there.

Get it under load and it will be off the cold map quicker

 

[-Danman-]

The highest I go to is about 3k when it's not warmed up. What you've said sounds about right though. My old 1.6 was a lot worse than the 182 when cold.

 

[Dan519]

Sounds like the lambda sensor isn't working properly to me

 

[turner24]

Ive had this problem before, i had it serviced new plugs, oil the general things and it went away, that was last year ive had services since but kept the same plugs and its just started happning to me again, exactly what you describe.

 

[sum-dj]

Mine is terrible for the first 5 mins or so, hardly any power at all. I thought it was broke but I've been reassured that's it's normal. I read on here it's some sort of safety feature to stop u belting it when the engine is cold. Whether it's true or not, I dunno. But it works!

 

[ScottyRS]

Mine is terrible for the first 5 mins or so, hardly any power at all. I thought it was broke but I've been reassured that's it's normal. I read on here it's some sort of safety feature to stop u belting it when the engine is cold. Whether it's true or not, I dunno. But it works!

It is not simply down on power it seems terrible... it runs like a complete dog for 5 mins. When reaching traffic it's doing all kind of kangaroo jumps when trying to go at 2,000rpm in 1st. I end up having to drop the crutch and re-engage. They can't possibly be this terrible when cold?

 

[Advikaz]

It is not simply down on power it seems terrible... it runs like a complete dog for 5 mins. When reaching traffic it's doing all kind of kangaroo jumps when trying to go at 2,000rpm in 1st. I end up having to drop the crutch and re-engage. They can't possibly be this terrible when cold?

My sisters other halfs 172 cup isn't as bad as yours sounds but my 200 isn't far & so is every 200 I've driven. Mines not as bad when I leave it to run for a few minutes before setting off (which I do 99% of the time anyway).