i have a new fuel filter as of a few months ago, i oput the right gas in and stay up to date on oil changes. it had almost 150,xxx miles and idle was fine this morning. i drive up a canyon to get to work and half way up i noticed a definite loss of power. when i came in to the parking lot it was idleing rough and puttering. i dont notice anything on the highway but starting from a stop i can feel a big difference. im really hoping i didnt rev to high on the way up. first time i found myself not loving the 1.5 and tall gears. could i have done some internal damage? how bad could this be?

 

Idle the engine and disconnect the fuel injectors one at a time to see if you have a dead cylinder. Another common reason for sudden loss of performance is having the timing belt skip a tooth. To check that take the upper plastic cover off and turn the engine by hand to TDC, check if the marks line up.

 

it seemed more erratic then one cylinder dead this morning i went out. i started with the spark plug wires and one was loose, not of so it was sporadic firing. man i am glad it was something small. thanks for your help.

 

well it was to good to be true. the next day as i tried to climb the mt on my way to work i found i am still missing alot of power. and my exhaust has a heavy pop to it. the idle is still rough just not as bad as the first night. i could see it be a timing issue. but what would make that exhaust sound? i had an MG for a while that did that and i knew one of the lobes on the cam had been worn down enough that it was not opening the valve. thats the only other experience i have had with that noise