I know these problems are just about impossible to diagnose. The car has 171k and i don't know much about the PO history. I just picked the car up about 5 weeks ago. Sometimes when driving, usually in 4th or 5th the car will suddenly cut out and start lurching. As soon as i put in the clutch and rev the car it's fine. In both circumstances, i ended up pulling over revving the car without issue and there was no problem. I continued to drive for 15- 20 more minutes with no issues. Probably related to this, the other day the car just died at a stoplight. When trying to start it took a little longer and sputtered a but then it was fine.

I should also point out that both times the engine started to cut out the car was on a flat or headed down a gentle hill under light throttle pressure. I have had a CEL a couple times, but in these cases no CEL.

First i am thinking i would change the fuel filter, if that does not solve the problem, which i am guessing it won't i will start to look at the plugs, wires, coils etc. Is this the correct logic, or may i be missing something obvious?

Thanks
KO

 

Update: the car had been sitting at my office for about the last 10 days. Today i decided i would drive it home. I made it about 100 yards and it really started running like crap and finally died. I was able to get it started and get back to the parking lot. I also noticed when i pulled out of the parking lot it sounds like there are gallons of water in the body or trapped behind the dash. I also have a very wet passenger side carpet. I believe i saw somewhere that there is some electrical in the floor boards on the passenger side. I am guessing that the water is part of the problem. Is this a plugged sun roof drain? Would this cause the car to run poorly?

When i purchased the car we had about 2 weeks without rain and the car ran great.

This car is located in portland or, we get our share of rain, especially in march and april.

Thanks.
KO.