My parents have a 2002 Dodge Stratus 4dr 2.4L. Last week for some ungodly reason, it decided that it won`t sustain any engine speed over 3000. When you accelerate, if you just barely press the gas, it will run fine until about 2700 rpm, then it acts like it runs out of fuel. If you keep the speeds lower (about 65-70mph), it purrs like a kitten. Any idea what this is? A mechanic looked it over, and his computer showed nothing. Could it be the fuel pump maybe? If so, where are the pump and filter on this car? Any help would be appreciated greatly, I am not familiar with these cars at all. Thanks.

 

I'd try using some of that fuel system cleaner and if that doesn't help, i believe the filter is in the tank so. . .

 

Yeah the filter is in the tank under you back seat.

 

Explain this to me: Today we decided to check the fuel pressure at the injectors, so we hooked the gauges up, and the pressure was 60 pounds. But when we disconnected everything, the car ran fine. It runs like its old self again. Do you think the gas we leaked out may have had some junk in it or something? Seems a little unusual to me.

And I didn`t believe this until I tried it, but a set of R-12 gauges will connect to your fuel rail. Just thought I`d pass that along.

 

Sounds like you may have inadvertently disturbed a connector that was making poor contact. That's about all I can think of. The initial problem description sounded like exhaust restriction, but appearently not.

 

I promise the exhaust is open thanks to a 40 pound iron bar, but at the time it didn`t fix it. I just hope it keeps running like it is now.