MOVED TO PROTEGE FORUM

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My 2000 Protege 1.6 5 speed has always been reliable and peppy for a car its size.

Last week I started it up first thing in the morning, and soon as it fired, I heard a single metallic "klink" under the hood, and the engine stopped firing.

Restarted, and it fired fine, warmed up and idled fine. Can't see any problems under the hood.

But ... now on interstates, when I'm in 5th gear going about 70 mph, and get to a hill, I lose power.

Car actually slows from 70 to 50 going up hill; not fun when you've got trucks behind you. Even shifting into 4th doesn't keep up the speed. Open the throttle but no engine speed increase if at high mph going up a hill. Never had this problem until after that "evil klink" sound last week. Weird.

No OBD codes.

Any thoughts? Seems fine and has power in all gears when driving slower (<50mph).

Timing belt replaced about 1000 miles ago.

Thanks.
Tom in CT