Please help diagnose engine cutting out.

[squelch]

My engine is cutting out / chugging under acceleration when it hits about 5000 rpm. I noticed it while doing my first DE recently. I usually do not push the engine that hard, but on the long straight, when accelerating, right at 5000 rpm or so it loses power and cuts out.

If I ease up to 5000 rpm in first gear, it runs smooth. When I accelerate, it runs smooth up until 5000 rpm, then cuts out.

The day before discovering this problem I replaced the cap/rotor, spark plugs, plug wires and fuel filter. I imagine the problem was there before doing this maintenance, just not noticed.

The plugs looked very good. No carbon build up or anything. The fuel filter though was very dirty. When I took it off and poured the fuel out, it came out clean on the exit side, but very dirty/rusty on the intake side.

I am going to inspect the gas tank for rust, but don't know what else to do from there.

Any recommendations are appreciated.

Thanks,
Chuck

[al lkosmal]

I've had this happen when my coil was failing. Worked fine up until I was accelerating, then miss and cut out at high RPMS. New coil made the problem go away. Do you have a buddy who will lend you one to try it out? also, i'm not familiar with the rotor used in the 84 Carrera, but does it incorporate an RPM limiting device? If so, install your old rotor and see if the problem goes away.

al

[htron435]

May be the DME relay that's under the driver's seat. Costs around $30 from Pelican. Do a forum search on drivability issues for more info. Good luck!