87 Camaro seems like not enough power most of the time

[shootsnlad]

I'll start with a brief background, then give the problem. I have a 87 Camaro, 2.8L V6 engine, about 87000 miles on it, 5 speed manual tranny. I store it during the winter with 1/8 to 1/4 tank of gas. I drive it about 100-200 miles during the spring/summer/fall months off and on. I try get 1 or 2 tanks of gas through it each year. I've done this for probably 8-9 years or so.

The issue is that when I accelerate with the car, I have to basically put the pedal to the floor to get a "smooth" (not-jerky) acceleration. The car just doesn't go like it used to. It seems like there is not much power sometimes or it is starved for fuel. Sometimes when I put the pedal to the floor the car will sit there and hesitate, like it's waiting and then all of sudden take off. Sometimes you'll hear what sounds like a knocking noise underneath the car. It sometimes feels like something is plugged up and pressure is building up. In 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear, a easy acceleration is not possible. You can't ease down on the pedal without the car jerky violently, and yes I know how to drive a manual. :-) Occasionally in the midst of all of this, the service engine soon light will come on. At this time, the car will still act up.

As to what I've done to troubleshoot it, it's all been things I did 8-9 years ago, before I stopped driving it fairly regularly. I've replace the water pump (because it blew), I put new plugs and wires in it, I try to keep fresh fuel in it, and I've replaced the EGR valve (which was what I always suspected it was). The old EGR valve was definitely shot. I've also hooked up a code indicator to try and figure out what the SES light was indicating, but it came back as normal and that everything was fine. This was right after I got the light, shut off the car, and then plugged it in to get a code.

Any ideas? Old fuel, fuel filter, something else? I want that power back (not that the 2.8 V6 has a ton), but you know what I mean. :-) I would be happy to answer any followups anyone has so as to lead me to the solution. Thanks! I appreciate it. You have helped me a LOT in the past.

Joe

[Genopsyde]

i would go after the fuel filter first. it's also best to store a car with a full tank and a gas stabilizer additive to avoid condensation. the knocking noise could be unrelated, like a bad trans mount, or it could be related, as in spark knock from lack of fuel in the combustion chamber.

[wrightz28]

When's the last time the oil was changed?