Twice (over the past 20 years) I've had the innards of the catalytic
converter collapse and partially block the exhaust.  The back pressure
allows the engine to run but severely limits power once you try to go
anywhere.

Could be lots of other stuff -- this is just one thing that is so easy to
check it can almost be diagnosed just by listening to the exhuast note.

Geo

----- Original Message -----
From: "aaron bright" <vdub4uandme@YAHOO.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, January 06, 2010 8:35 AM
Subject: Sputtering along...suddenly

I have an 85 GL/Automatic......rolling along just fine over the weekend for
about a 3 hour long roadtrip. Yesterday it stalled out and then when I
restarted it immediately and put it back in drive it began sputtering and
now will not go over 3000 rpm in D. When warming up in the morning, it will
rev up fine but then place it in drive and there is just no go. What should
I start to look at? Cold as hell right now in Louisville.
Thank you,
Aaron Bright
Louisville, KY