I was on my way to class today when my car suddenly felt like it lost power. I stepped on the gas and nothing, just rolling along. Then I stepped on the gas harder and I hear popping coming from the exhaust with thick black smoke and no power...It seems to run normally when going slow(first gear) but when going faster it begins to POP POP POP with black smoke. I got it school...what should I do?

-Tranny fluid has been leaking some
-Plugs and wires are fairly new
-new O2 sensor

Anybody know what it could be or have this happen before?

 

try adding some injector cleaner with a full tank of gas.

 

When I drove it home it was running fine... up until I almost got home. The commute is about 25 mins. Again when I stepped on the gas there was NO POWER whatsoever and POPPING sounds coming from the exhaust but I didn't notice as much black smoke.

Any other suggestions?
Ignition, fuel injection system, ?

 

Black smoke = running rich
Popping in exhaust = after fire (fuel burning in exhaust)

I'd say you are definitely running rich... that will also be a cause of no power.

EDIT: I dont know if you are carb'd or injected... if its a carb, it probably needs a rebuild, or at least a tune-up.

 

Its fuel injected

 

head gasket? thats my guess.

 

How about the distributer because it seems to only happen when the engine is hot (runnning for about 20 mins).

 

Sounds like it might be an ignition problem. Maybe the module is overheating, causing you to loose spark, or have a weak delayed spark. Check the module, cap, rotor, and plugs. Make sure you use a fair amount of that dialectric grease on the module.