Tonight I replaced my old rusty fuel filter. Before the change stepping on the gas had very little effect
whatsoever. I mean the car took its time accelerating. If I recall correctly the RPMs would slowly climb
close to 3000. The acceleration was controlled at best.
After changing the fuel filter the car takes off for the first time in years. I had thought this old dog was ready
for retirement but changing the fuel filter appears to have brought her back to life.
Now when I step on the gas the car takes off. I'm not a hard driver (so the sluggishness never really bothered
me as much as the check engine light and the P0171 code) but I was getting her over 4000 RPMs without much
difficulty. I'm not sure how hard to push the car at this point. It's like night and day now.
When I start slow and push the pedal to the floor the car takes off and I hear a sound that could either be
a vacuum leak OR the turbo kicking in - OR both. The way the car takes off I suspect the turbo must be
kicking in. Would the clogged fuel filter cause the turbo not to operate?
The old fuel filter clearly turned my car into a dog. The P0171 code is related to lean fuel mixture or too much
oxygen (vacuum leak). It's not clear this will solve my P0171 problem.
Even though the car behaves like a new car I supposed I could have a vacuum leak that develops when I'm operating
at high RPMs? This will trigger the P0171 again.
Enough for now. Interesting how this little fuel filter can effect so much. I'm still running on my old plugs (70k) to let
all the crap I've dumped into the gas get out before I install my new OEM plugs. Maybe new plugs will also
help eliminate the P0171 code. With new plugs she'll be running just like when we bought her....
- Old rusty beast...
)
Assuming of course, they honor it than it might be worth the shipping to chk it out.