Help Please! Car Sputters Over 3000 RPM, Engine trouble Options

[jvaudio]

Hello

I have a 1994 Celica ST with the 1.8L engine. It has 150,000 miles on it currently. Yesterday, on my way to work, the car began to sputter and act like it was going to stall. I let up on the gas a bit and it kicked in for a little bit, but it would go back down again. It seems that if I can keep it in around the 2500-2700 RPM range, it doesn't happen much. This happens in all of the gears. If I push the gas pedal down further, it almost dies. I travel 60 miles to work each day, and I need my car. Does anyone have any ideas as to what may be wrong?

I am not an expert (barely a novice...) but I am suspecting - rather, hoping - that it is something fuel related. Perhaps the fuel pump, or injectors? Also, could you please provide ballpark estimates of how much a repair would cost?

Thank you in advance! :-)

[6strngs]

Sounds like an ignition problem. either with timing, or just fouled plugs or something. Starting with a basic ignition system tune-up including spark plugs, wires, distributor cap, and rotor would be a good step. it'll cost about $75 for all that depending where you get them and what brands you get (get NGK spark plugs). To have a shop install all that if you can't do it your self (all you need is a 3/8 ratchet, 6" extension, 5/8 deep socket (preferably an actual "spark plug socket"), and a philips head screwdriver and an hour of your time if you've never done it before) would probably cost around $75-100.

If that doesn't fix it, your ignition timing could be out. It's not hard to check, you just need a timing light. See if you have any friends that have one, if not you can buy a craftsman one for $50 like I did. A shop might check it for free if they are feeling nice, just make sure to stick a paper clip between the TE1 and E1 terminals in the diagnostic box to get an actual reading of the timing. (Spec should be 10 degrees BTDC, or at least it is for the 2.2L 5sfe, I'm not sure about the 1.8L 7afe)

if that's not it, it could be any number of things from running very rich, to running very lean, to a malfunctioning distributor/coil/igniter, could even just be some crappy gas or a vacuum leak near an important sensor like the MAP sensor.