Hyundai Repair: 2001 hyundai accent, hyundai accent, vacuum leak

Question
hi i have a 2001 hyundai accent 1.5 that is running like crap it started out with losing power when i am going up hills or passing or just trying to move the car from stop if i give a lil bit too much gas it starts to putt like its gonna die but i can get the car going with no problems other than that. i had it read for check engine light which has been on since i purchased the car and didnt have a problem for the first 20000 miles i put on it but they said i had misfires on all cylinders and about 3 problems it could be one was vacuum leak one i believe was emissions or somethin im sorry i dont really remember but my purge control solenoid valve is ticking so im wondering if maybe that valve then maybe the catalytic converter but i am also thinking maybe timing off any light you could shed will be greatly appreciated

Answer
I'm going to suggest you begin by checking the secondary ignition system (plugs, wires, coil).  Although it's rare for an ignition issue to cause misfires on all four cylinders, we know in this case that the check engine lamp has been on for quite some time, meaning that you may have more than one failed plug or one failed wire.  

The puttering you describe is a misfire on one or maybe two cylinders.  This won't be caused by a purge control valve or catalytic converter, although if you've been driving the car while the engine was misfiring, you may well have damaged the converter.