91 Legacy 1.8, starts but burns in exhaust, no power, pops

[Zendalar]

I am about to buy -91 Legacy but it has an engine problem. The car costs about 300$, its a 4wd...cheapo?

 

The problem:

 

The car starts but if you want to rev it, it burns in the exhaust and pops and bangs. Also the car does not have any power, ie. runs about 50km/h max.

 

I was wondering what might be the cause? The owner has checked the valves, so they are not the culprit. Also, it appararently runs with all four cylinders when idling.

 

I was thinking if the timing belt has jumped, or somehow mis-installed (other cam 180 degrees off )?

 

Any other causes to this kind of behaviour?

 

Thanks!

[jamal]

timing, spark, fuel- it is probably one of those things. For example, a clogged fuel filter or bad pump would probably let the car start and idle, but when you need more gas it can't handle it. Is there a check engine light? The pops and whatnot make me think of anti-lag which makes me think timing. There are two marks on the cam gears so it's pretty easy to get them mixed up I hear. Good thing it's non-interference.

 

On the other hand I could very well just be talking out of my rump roast.

[Zendalar]

2 marks? I thought there were holes that indicated the correct position? Other pointing up, other pointing down, while crank lobe up??