engine won't rev

Hey all, just wondering if anyone can help me with a diagnosis? Need to get my car running again...

Was driving home and power just dropped suddenly, could not rev past roughly 2k from memory (was pretty low). If i tried any reasonable amount of throttle would lose power and die, but if i kept the throttle just on a little bit running at low revs the engine would run. Managed to limp it home fortunately! Am thinking it is a fuel problem (fuel pump packed it in?)

Just done a major service replacing spark plugs, oil & filter etc. so should be all good in that dept. Was an instantaneous loss of power, with no increase in engine temp. So am thinking it must be either an electrical or fuel problem. Haven't replaced the fuel filter so will check that soon...

Any ideas on what this could be? Has this happened to anyone before?
Thanks in advance, Ed

Am hoping it's nothing serious... only just bought this car!
If anyone has an idea of whether I'm on the right track or what else it could be would be much appreciated :)
Am not looking forward to having to take the fuel tank out to check, so want to be pretty sure that this is the problem beforehand...
I know it's not gonna be an easy job without a car lift/pit, it's pretty low to the ground!

Thanks for the reply robk,
The engine light doesn't come on, just started it again and it runs fine for a bit (albeit with a fair bit of smoke out the exhaust), then after about 20 - 30 seconds really rough idle and dies if you give it too much throttle. Might pay to check the fuel filter i think, as it seems from this it could well be a fuel issue; when left to sit it runs ok, if only for a very short time.

Is a good idea with checking the fuel pressure, could save alot of time! you would obviously need a specific fuel pressure testing tool to do this i take it?
Am not familiar with how to check fault codes either, as I am only new to the car. It does have a piggyback ecu though, I guess this wouldn't affect diagnostics? (3sgte).
Thanks heaps for your help, looks like i could have a bit of google-ing ahead!

ok cheers stuka will try that and see how i go

i've had that problem with an old car of mine,
it turned out the crank pulley key and slot had worn out quite a bit due to heavy abuse:D (rb30 in nissan R31 skyline)
due to this the timing had retarded itself substantially and had problems just picking up enough rpm to move a few meters let alone drive.
i dont know if it would likely be your problem but the symptoms sound very much the same.
so if it isn't your fuel filter, check your timing.

Thanks guys is very helpful, will go and check these things and see if i can't nut it out. I bought myself a fuel filter today thinking it wouldn't hurt to replace it anyway and at least eliminate that as a possibility. Hopefully will get it sorted soon as it is killing me just having it sit there un-drivable!

Just a quick question, how will i know if my AFM is faulty? Is there anyway of checking without replacing the unit?

That the engine bay temp sensor. It should be mounted at the bottom of the engine lid in the center. With it unpluged the intercooler fan will run all the time with the engine on

Sounds a bit like ign. Check the coil & ignitor, dist etc.