curious bout something, earlier, car used to take off really smooth once I hit the accelerator, but of late, the car seems to hesitate a little and then take off, once I give it more gas. Got the engine tuned, and the mechanic told me that the car needed a new fuel filter. Car still hesitates even after the tune up. Think that it might be due to the fuel filter? or what are any other possibilities? Like I said, car is fine otherwise, except for this slight hesitation that was never there before. Thanks!!

 

I'd believe him. Does it ever stall, or almost stall when you're slowing down or if you slam the brakes on hard? Those are also signs of a bad fuel filter. They're cheap...that's the first thing I'd replace if you've already had a tuneup done and you get no check engine lights.

 

1988bird, I don't understand why the mechanic tuned the engine but didn't replace the fuel filter?? What exactly did he replace as part of the tuneup? Just plugs and wires and the air filter? Sheesh; I hope you didn't get charged much; that's about 10 minutes work- and NOT a major tuneup.

 

If the fuel filter doesn't do the job, have your oxygen sensor tested. That did wonders for my car at one time.

 

Plugs/Wires and reset timing is most shops *pathetic* idea of a 'Tune Up'

Find that man's (TomPs) patent pending, all purpose, do-it-first, Major TuneUp for yourself. VERY easy to do, and will cost you well under $100.

As for the fuel filter, it's like $6. Replace it anyway

Word of advice... you're fuel injected - you have plenty of pressure built up in those lines (Unless you have a leaky injector, lol). I generally pop the shrader valve to release the pressure, then undo the lines. USE LINE WRENCHES. You do NOT want to strip one of those nuts! If you do, they can be replaced easily, but still - wouldn't you rather avoid the hassle? :lala:

 

How much for the fuel filter????????? the mechanic told me $70, including labour, but being as mechanically challenged as I am, dont know if that sounds about right, but I did have my doubts. You think I am drastically overpaying???

 

$70??! Holy crap! Not bad for a $15 filter and 10 minutes worth of work!

I'm in the wrong line of business... tell that guy to fck off.

[edit] Hey, wait, Doward, $6/filter? Are those AC's? Are you buying them online or something? I can only find them in Pep Boys around here (don't want to go to a dealer), and they're around $15.

 

Autozone... 'Deutsch" brand or something... lemme go look!

Part FF504 - $5.99 from Autozone

 

I did my filter in about 30-45 minutes which includes a trip to the parts store to get o-rings.

 

im having the same problem, got new fuel filter, new plugs and wires, and new K&N filters. what else could it be? i have a 88 camaro 2.8 V6.

 

Could be all sorts of things. Here's a basic list of stuff I could see causing that: bad/misadjusted TPS (Throttle Position Sensor), old O2 sensor, weak ignition coil, corroded cap and rotor, or maybe a fuel delivery issue..have you checked fuel pressure at the Schrader valve?


It's probably missing stuff though because it's 1 am....drove all over town today, made out with my girl for like 1 1/2-2 hours (muahahaha), then worked...so I'm shot for today!!

 

1. Read the major tuneup

2. Cross off the few things you've replaced or adjusted.

3. Do the rest.

Then if your car still acts up, we can go from there. Chances are very good that your car will still need the rest of those things done anyway!!

 

How much are oxygen sensers?

 

You'll want to clean the throttle body. With the EGR being piped in right behind it. . .well it gets good and dirty.

Use a good cleaner and spray it on a rag, swab out the inside of the TB along with the butterfly. Don't miss the edges of the butterfly either. Can use an old toothbrush (or your younger brothers toothbrush) to scrub it out.

I also wear gloves when I do this, the TB looks like the inside of an exhaust pipe because of the EGR.

RBob.

 

O2 sensors for this car are $20 for the Bosch replacement. You only need one. If you haven't replaced it yet and you know it hasn't been done recently, replacing it will definitely help. You'd probably see a small change in driving quality/smoothness...and your gas mileage will go up.

 

Oxy sensor part # is Bosch 12014

 

I have the same problem, I replaced the fuel filter, no help, but should be replaced every 2 years. TPS is right on, cleaned the IAC. Still has the problem. Next step will be fuel injection cleaner & clean the throttle body. O2 & MAF sensors are less then a year old. If it's still bad I'm going to swap out the IAC with a loaner. PS...fuel filter was $10 & 10 mins...

 

Have you done everything in the major tuneup recently?

Damn it seems like i repeat that a lot lately; I should add it to my signature line! (laughs)

 

I have less then a year on a full tune up...I think it's in the IAC...I'm trying to get a loaner, before I buy new...

 

i know i sound like a idiot but what is the IAC?

 

Idle Air Control valve. This is it circled. Car opens and closes it depending on acceleration, deceleration, cruise, etc. When the valve gets gunked up, it starts opening and closing slower than it needs to...which causes stalls or chugging/almost-stall conditions.

That's a photo of my old 3.1. The 2.8's have it too, in the same place, but it looks different. I think the part protruding out of the side actually goes out of the back on the 2.8's.

 

I know you're kidding... but you seriously should! Linkage to your last re-re--repost, lol.

That, or a mod should make it a sticky!

 

It's up there! In the "Read me first" sticky!

mvftw, if it's only been a year, check out some of the parts for wear- distributor cap/rotor contacts, spark plug gap, spark plug wire's resistance (excessively out of spec wire should be replaced)...