2002 Ford Escort car dosent want to go over 20mph

Could be the catalytic converter clogged-up -check the exhaust system for restriction by doing a backpressure test

Thanks ill try that

if it is a clogged catalytic converter would there be smoke comming from the exhaust because there isnt it mostly smokes from the engine?

Check the exhaust system for restriction disconnect the exhaust pipe from the exhaust manifold and see what happens and then comeback with some results

i went to a general Micanic and got a new catalitic converter he said i needed one and i drove it home and it seemed like it was driving worst then ever do you think i need to talk it to a muffler shop or whats my next step it was smoking like crazy a sweet smell and stinking up the naborhood still didnt want to go over 20mph and making a thumping in the engine. thanks Ronnie

Check all the cylinders if it has water/coolant -you sounded as coolant is burning in the combustion chamber-sweet smell

the smell i think is trasmission fluid from reving the engine to hard to get up to speed

your probably right it probably is coolant but still what is going on why isnt it driving well what can do now ?

If its leaking its causing the transmission to slip due to low fluid-get it fix