[palacie]

On the way to the market today, I noticed my '93 ES300 running a little rough, not idling smoothly at lights. When I parked, it sounded better.
After shopping, while driving home, it kept running rougher and as I got closer to home, when I needed a little more speed on a very slight incline, I got nothing when I accelerated. It started slowing down. Then, as I approached a stop sign, it suddenly started making loud sputtering noises and the engine died. I was able to start it up again but the sputtering was louder and it died again - it wouldn't restart. Someone told me that he saw smoke coming out of the rear. So, I had AAA tow me home as it was quite late and I had frozen food in the trunk.

Before I put myself at the mercy of a mechanic and since I know they love to take advantage of older ladies like me, I am hoping that you very knowledgeable folks can give me some helpful clues as to what might be causing this problem. The AAA guy said it might be a fuel pump or a fuel filter but, also, said that he was no expert - just his opinion.

Please, any and all advice will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks very much in advance,
Shirley