Acceleration Issues

[Marcbmann]

Just a quick note, I moved this into a new thread from my previous thread cause its a different topic. I copied the quoted text so people could know the whole story.

Originally Posted by Previous Thread

The other day, while driving my car to work, I stopped at an intersection. I pressed on the gas and the car felt incredibly sluggish. Up to this point everything was totally fine. The car made it 1/2 a mile down the road where there was a shoulder. I pulled over and parked, engine immediately stalled. I restarted the car and the engine began to idle, but it was jumping from 800 rpms to 1,000 rpms very rapidly. I turned the car off and tried starting it back up. Nothing, it started then immediately stalled. After another 2 or 3 tries the engine started and idled normally. I revved the engine (in neutral, with e-brake up) and was unable to get it past 2,000 rpms. The second it hit 2,00 it began to stall, unless I let go of the gas. Driving home I was able to get it up to 3,000 rpms without issue. But the second it started to go over 3k, it started dragging. After letting the car sit for awhile I took the car for a short drive, and the engine idled fine, but was unable to get over 3k rpms still.

Checked my oil level, every possible connection I could think of, and I looked at my intake, everything looked fine and sturdy and not leaky. Also, I checked and nothing was shoved in my tailpipe. My guess is its something with the MAF sensor. But it was plugged in all the way. Filter is still secure. No check engine light. However, my E-Brake light doesn't work, so that really doesn't say much.

TL;DR Car stalled, started the car, didn't idle properly, couldn't get it over 3k rpms while driving. No check engine light.

Yesterday I realized this may be due to the quality of my gas as it had been sitting in a body shop for a month not running. So, I filled the tank with gas and drive down the highway.. very slowly. Made it to a parking lot and revved my engine to get the new gas through the injectors. The engine's condition started to improve. It would rev without any difficulty and it could drive in the lower RPMs without issue. Also, if the car slowly accelerated up into the higher RPMs it would not stall. However, if I pressed the gas even a little too hard the RPMs started jumping and the car would slow down. I'm reasonably sure this is due to the variable timing, as when I press the gas harder I would expect the timing to adjust, however the car just spazzes. I was able to slowly accelerate to 60 mph without the timing ever shifting.

TL;DR Suspected something wrong with the gas. Filled the tank (only had a 1/4 tank)and revved engine with new gas. Car works, but VVT-I appears to not be working.

So, I guess my questions are A. Is it safe to drive? B. Do you think it will correct itself with the new gas? C. Why would bad gas cause VVT-I to malfunction?

[Marcbmann]

Well, finally figured out the issue. Bad MAF sensor. $100 for a new one. Oh well.

[SuperchargedMR2]

Glad it was a simple fix.

[Marcbmann]

Ya me too. Gotta get myself an OBD2 connector for the torque app, would have saved me a lot of trouble. Kind of confused as to how the first MAF died though... w/e.