fuel filter

[eddie_m]

hi im new to the site and was just looking for help/information on fixing my car. when i first came up on the problem i tried starting my car and it started then turned off. i tried it again while pressing the gas, it stayed on while i held it but turned off as soon as i let it go. the next day i tried starting my car again and it started. i was told that it might be my fuel filter, i tried looking for it but couldnt find it. Any info on how to change the filter or fix the problem would be nice.

 

[thecrash91]

fuel filter is located ON the fuel pump, so your going to have to take out the pump to clean/replace filter

 

[M4Carbine]

I know a while back I had my P5 at the dealer getting some things looked at and was told that to replace the filter you had to replace the whole pump. Not sure how true it is, you know how dealerships are. Maybe you could disconnect the fuel line and try to start it to see if fuel is flowing good through the line?

 

[talltim]

You dont have to replace the pump to replace the fuel filter. In this case id check the voltage to the pump first.

 

[Motorheaddad]

It's not your filter. It's your Idle Air Control Valve or IAC valve. What that does, is it allows air to bypass the throttle at idle since you don't get enough air when your at closed throttle. It's probably getting stuck closed, thats why when you hold the throttle it idles. When you let go of the throttle it "chokes" the engine. You could probably get away with cleaning it with electrical cleaner then spray a bit of WD40 to keep it lubed. If it was your fuel filter it would either not start or bog down on accelleration. Try cleaning and lubing the IAC before spending any money.

 

[brians_d-ride]

It's not your filter. It's your Idle Air Control Valve or IAC valve. What that does, is it allows air to bypass the throttle at idle since you don't get enough air when your at closed throttle. It's probably getting stuck closed, thats why when you hold the throttle it idles. When you let go of the throttle it "chokes" the engine. You could probably get away with cleaning it with electrical cleaner then spray a bit of WD40 to keep it lubed. If it was your fuel filter it would either not start or bog down on accelleration. Try cleaning and lubing the IAC before spending any money.

i'd go with that. an IAC valve isn't too expensive either. i had the exact same problem on the cavalier i used to have. one day it would start fine, one day i had to keep revs up for it to run. and it would also suddenly lose power at speed too. replaced the IAC and it was fine.