Nissan Repair: 1994 Nissan Altima Problems, nissan altima, optical pickup

Question
1994 Nissan altima...starts, idles rough (well now it just jumps a little, not massive but a little), sounds loud (which I just found that the muffler was split), sputters, when you accelerate there is no power. It literally goes 2mph. I've changed the spark plugs, and the battery terminal, because it was cracked. Neither has worked. Do you have any idea what it would be and how I could check? I don't really have the money at this point to take it to someone to rip apart and tell me what all I need to replace, its sickening heh. Holidays you know. Anyway thanks in advance.

Answer
Ken,

It sounds like you could have a few problems that could cause this.  But, the muffler seems to be a give away.  I would check the distributor for oil on the optical pickup.  Take the cap, rotor, rotor post and cover off and look for the presence of oil on the optical trigger.  If there is oil you have found your problem.