About 4 months ago my car had a slight stutter at just medium throttle from about 2500 rpm up to redline. I took it to the shop they ran it on the computer and said it was my egr valve. I drove it around for a couple of months without it getting much worse. Well, about a month ago it took a dump on me. Coming back home from out of town it got worse and worse by the minute. Eventually I had to keep it in 4th gear just to make it home because I didn't have enough power in 5th. It never came close to overheating. When i got home it died as soon as i put it in neutral and now won't crank at all. I replaced the battery and the alternator just in case. There is a lot of black soot from the exhaust on my bumper and when i try to crank it, it kinda half-*** backires and dies. Is this the Egr or could it have jumped timing, or what? Any help would be appreciated. By the way my catalytic converter is gutted in case it makes a difference.

 

I doubt it is you egr.If its stuck open it wouldnt idle good but cruising will be ok.Also doubt it is your timing chain.Which leaves the bloody opti...