Why isn't my car "pulling" properly?

[SpringIsSpringing23]

My exhaust was hanging off (exhaust itself fine, just corroded were it joins the actual car) and garage did a quick fix job on it which will be fixed properly next week. However my car doesn't feel like its pulling properly. Taking longer to get the speed up. That's not going be exhaust related is it?
Car is 13 years old, done 113k miles so she's an old girl

It could be the exhaust most cars need the right back pressure from the exhaust to run correctly, just google it. Fingers crossed.

Thank you. I've spent nearly a grand on the car in the last 12 months. It's had some big jobs on it so reluctant to sell and get another as I won't get the money that I've spent on it. The bodywork is great

Yes, could be the exhaust OP. I'd tell them the problem when you take it in next week for a proper fix unless you've got a long drive to do before then, in which case I'd call them now and ask their advice on whether it's safe.

I wouldn't call that an old car, and it's not high mileage.

Yes the exhaust will be affecting how efficient the engine is and how power ultimate it can be. I'd be cautious about how far you're driving it at the moment - you don't want to damage the engine.

If the exhaust is ok I'd say check the clutch.

If it's just a corroded joint to the car that's been fixed it is unlikely there will be any change to the way the exhaust works.

More likely just another problem which has coincidentally come up at the same time. Your mileage and vehicle age is not spectacularly high for a modern car.

Happened to me, I noticed it on a long fairly gentle hill, just wasn’t right. Called AA or whoever, spark plugs - or one of them - needed replacing. After that it was fine.

Has the cam belt been done? I unfortunately blew my engine up when can
belt went, only sign prior was car wasn’t really pulling like it used to for a week or so

I'd say check spark plugs or possibly "coil" (I think that's the right term). They're cheap and easy to replace so worth a shot anyway.

The clutch perhaps.

Cam belt is my bet

All the time, or at certain points? Like after you've driven for a while? Might be worth checking for a leaky radiator.

We had this on an old car - it was increasingly hard to get speed up. Various mechanics in garages suggested all sorts of expensive things, including changing the clutch. It turned out to be failing ignition leads, which was a very cheap fix - in fact, we just bought new ones and changed them ourselves.

Very unlikely. The only way a cambelt could cause a loss of power would be if it had jumped a tooth (or teeth) on one of the pulleys. Car would run like a bag of shit.

Also, not going to be a clutch problem either unless the car is screaming its tits off but not accelerating.

If there’s a massive hole or blockage in the exhaust that could cause it to run poorly - a hole would be big enough that it’d be making a right racket. Could be a collapsed cat or maybe something completely unrelated and just coincidental. Get the codes read and see if that shows anything.

When my car wasn't pulling properly uphill it was the drive shaft.

Also happened when the clutch was going. The clutch became very floppy before hand.

Put your shoe sole over the exhaust for a few seconds to block it, when you remove is there pressure?

Is the exhaust louder than normal, if the exhaust is leaking then the car will be down on power.

Plug in a code reader to the OBD2 port and see what errors you get.

It will not be related to the timing belt or clutch.

What engine is it, petrol or diesel, dies it have a turbo?

A turbo uses exhaust gases to spin a turbine which compresses the air into the engine, allowing more air which in turn with more fuel give more power.

The exhaust not performing properly is more than likely your answer.

So far we've had cam belt, spark plugs, clutch and exhaust. I'm guessing there isn't a mechanic between us so I'd take it to the garage for their opinion.

I'm guessing there isn't a mechanic between us

You guess wrong!

Well I spent 5 years as an aero engineer and have stripped and rebuilt many car engines over the years!

We need more information to give a more accurate answer at this stage.

At that age it could be so many different things, it's impossible to guess. Could be a tiny split in a tube right up to a knackered catalytic converter.

Agreed!

I stand corrected!

Get the cam belt checked, it could end up costing you a new engine if it goes.

Our last diesel car did this when the turbo got clogged up, they do this if you don't take them for a good long drive very often, and we used ours mainly for shorter trips. Is it a diesel?