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 * Home
 * Advice
 * Why Does My Car Lose Power Top 7 Causes


WHY DOES MY CAR LOSE POWER?

Ellie Dyer-Brown, 4 months ago

3 min read

 * Diagnostic




WhoCanFixMyCar explains why your car might be losing power and what you can do
to fix it.

Most drivers know their cars inside out, meaning they can tell immediately when
the engine isn’t giving them as much power as it usually would. A loss of
power will be most apparent during acceleration, but even when driving at a
constant speed, you may notice your car flagging. 

If this is the case, we know how eager you’ll be to get your car working
normally again, so we’ve created this guide to help you diagnose what might be
going wrong. 

> Guide Contents:
> 
> Clogged Fuel Filter
> 
> Clogged Catalytic Converter
> 
> Clogged Air Filter
> 
> ECU Error
> 
> Faulty Fuel Injectors
> 
> Worn Spark Plugs
> 
> MAF Sensor Malfunction

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


CLOGGED FUEL FILTER

The fuel filter plays a vital role in ensuring that the correct quantity of
fuel, free from dirt particles, reaches the engine chamber. Sometimes, the fuel
filter becomes clogged with debris; when this happens, the engine can’t perform
at its optimum level. When you put your foot down, more fuel will be sent to the
filter, but not as much will be able to get through, resulting in a loss of
power.



Fortunately, getting your fuel filter changed is relatively cheap.

Book a fuel filter replacement


CLOGGED CATALYTIC CONVERTER

Catalytic converters control the emissions that leave your exhaust. They contain
aluminium or ceramic honeycomb mesh coated with platinum and palladium, which
chemically react with carbon monoxide and unburnt fuel. This redox reaction
results in the creation of carbon dioxide and water, two much less harmful
by-products. 



When catalytic converters become clogged, the first sign is usually a loss of
power and acceleration. Eventually, this can lead to engine failure if left
untreated, so it’s best to book in with a local garage as soon as possible.

Compare catalytic converter replacement prices


CLOGGED AIR FILTER

Before air enters the combustion chamber, it must be filtered to ensure it is
free from debris and impurities that might otherwise cause severe damage.

As you might expect, air filters tend to get clogged when used for a while,
which ultimately means the amount of air getting into the combustion chamber is
limited. Consequently, the engine will struggle to generate enough power to run
the car.

Getting your air filter replaced shouldn’t cost you too much - around £60 - and
as soon as it’s done your car will be back up to full power.

Book an air filter replacement


ECU ERROR

Cars that have an ECU (engine control unit) can sometimes lose power if the
system detects a mechanical error in the car that doesn’t actually exist. As a
result, the ECU tells the car to lose power, or in some cases stop completely,
to prevent an accident. 



ECU errors like this may go away on their own, but you should still take your
car to be checked by a professional to make sure that it doesn’t happen again.

The average price of an ECU repair booked through WhoCanFixMyCar is £154.23.

Compare ECU repair prices


FAULTY FUEL INJECTORS

Fuel injectors are responsible for introducing fuel into the combustion chamber.
This process happens at extremely high pressure, and the amount of fuel must be
precise for combustion to occur successfully. Even a slight miscalculation will
disrupt the process, resulting in a loss of power. In the worst-case scenario,
your cams and pistons may break, making the repair bill significantly more
costly. 


Find fuel injection specialists


WORN SPARK PLUGS

If your car feels particularly unresponsive when you put your foot down on the
gas, this could be due to worn spark plugs. 



Like any car part, spark plugs depreciate over time; when this happens, they
have a harder time creating the spark that powers your engine. As a result, you
may experience a loss of power, decreased performance, rattling or knock-like
noises and poor fuel economy. 

Spark plugs are relatively cheap, and with some mechanical know-how, it’s
possible to change them yourself. However, since they play such an essential
role in the overall functioning of your engine, you might want to have them
fitted by a mechanic.

Compare spark plug replacement prices


MAF SENSOR MALFUNCTION

The MAF (mass air flow) sensor measures the air the car requires to accelerate.
It then sends this measurement to the engine control unit, which makes the
throttle open as necessary.



However, if the MAF sensor is faulty, it will likely result in a loss of power.

Compare MAF sensor replacement prices

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It can be a frustrating experience when your car isn't operating at full power,
but the good news is that WhoCanFixMyCar can help you find reliable local car
repairs that won't break the bank.

Compare Repair Prices

Enjoyed reading this article? There's more where that came from! 👇

 * What is the ECU in a car?

 * How to change spark plugs

 * When do the spark plugs in your car need replacing?

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 * Diagnose car problems & find the right fix

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