89 carrera - hesitation or stall tendency

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JimmyD - 30 May 2009 20:57 GMT

Just had the car out for a test run as it left the wife sit the other
day.

Car ran without problems for the first 20 miles or so then under
acceleration it feels like it hesitates or wants to shut off. This
only lasts a second or a couple of seconds and then it is back to
normal. Obviously this is not confidence inspiring. I continued to
drive it and it got more frequent and worse as in longer lasting or
even more bogged down. I feel that I'm lucky I got back home.

I'm thinking it is fuel related as in the car is getting starved for
fuel, clogged fuel filter maybe? Intermittant fuel pump problem?

Car has 42K on it and it was tuned by the dealer two years ago.

Also just noticed while filling up the tank with Sunoco 93, that their
fuel contains a portion of ethanol. Is this acceptable for use in an
89?

Any other thoughts before it goes to the dealer?

Thx,
Jim

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Bill Noble - 31 May 2009 06:22 GMT

I think, based on very expensive and painful personal experience, that the
first thing I would do is change the fuel filter

> Just had the car out for a test run as it left the wife sit the other
> day.
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
> Thx,
> Jim

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JimmyD - 31 May 2009 13:45 GMT

>I think, based on very expensive and painful personal experience, that the
>first thing I would do is change the fuel filter

Thanks for the response Bill. That's probably the best place to
start. If I'm not mistaken that is not an easily user servicable part
(part of the tank assembly) so looks like into the dealer it goes.

jim

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Bill Noble - 01 Jun 2009 07:28 GMT

>>I think, based on very expensive and painful personal experience, that the
>>first thing I would do is change the fuel filter
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> jim

it may not be that hard to change - don't have a manual for your car, but
you might look, maybe the P-car site or clark's garage has a FAQ on how to
change -

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JimmyD - 17 Jun 2009 01:51 GMT

>it may not be that hard to change - don't have a manual for your car, but
>you might look, maybe the P-car site or clark's garage has a FAQ on how to
>change -

Fuel filter turns out to be in the engine compartment on the left hand
side. I had the dealer change it out for $80 parts and labor. So far
so good with the performance of the car after this part was swapped
out. Will continue to watch it in the weeks ahead.

Jim

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Bill Noble - 17 Jun 2009 04:04 GMT

excellent. Now, write down how long it lasted, and change it again when
about 1/2 that time has elapsed.

>>it may not be that hard to change - don't have a manual for your car, but
>>you might look, maybe the P-car site or clark's garage has a FAQ on how to
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> Jim

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