[Jasen]

Noob here.

I've got a 97 AWD. It's been sitting for a year and a half, which is when it finaly became undrivable.

I just got to trying to figure out whats wronge.

I put a cap and rotor on it, it ildes like a top and runs very smooth while throttling up and down. I can put it in gear and stand on the break and run it up and it still runs great. It does hessitate a bit when I throttle up quickly.
I take it out on the road and it has no power. If I push it it will just down shift and scream like a banshee and still not go very well at all. It sounds as if every vacuume line fell off, which they haven't and there's no vac leaks.
This all came on over the course of 6-8 weeks as I recall. It started to gradualy loose power and the last time I drove it it really struggled to make the 5 mile drive home, couldn't even think about taking the freeway. 1.5 year old gas isn't helping, but it doesn't seem to run anyworse then when I parked it.
I'm thinking the cat maybe,

What input do you all have.

Thanx,
Jasen

 

['cudapaul]

I think the first test would be to determine if the fuel pressure is up to specs. It should be 58-62 PSI for starting and no less than 55 PSI running. It will run on less pressure but your results may vary.

You could go thru a tune-up and change the fuel filter, but the fuel pressure test will give you a quicker and more accurate diagnostic.

Fuel pressure gauges run about $35-65 from most auto parts stores, or look online, Actron is one that comes to mind.

Here's a link:
http://www.actron.com/product_detail.php?pid=16174

 

[z_alfawadleh]

Amazing what old gas can do, it does oxidize and you end up with some water even acid in the tank, it wont hurt to check how it smells, that will give you a clue, or just add some gas to it, better flush the tank.

 

[Jasen]

This all started before I parked it, it's why I parked it. But it did start in the winter, and that's not saying that maybe the winter gas stired up a bunch or crapola from the tank and is adding to the problem.