Car seems to struggle starting up....

[ricbost]

Hi guys, this looks like a good forum....

About 2 weeks ago I was either slowing down at a red light or braking at a red light (I don't remember) and the car just kinda jerks to a stop and all of the dash lights (check engine, battery, etc.) come on and I couldn't move so I was stalled, this was the first time the car ever stalled. I was able to start up the car luckily soon after and no more warning lights were on and all seemed well. I decided to replace the air filter based on advice, and I recently hit 30K miles so I decided to replace the fuel filter. I took it to Pep Boys for the fuel filter. Just today the car struggled for what seemed like 10 to 15 seconds before it finally started. I decided to take it to Advance Auto Parts for a battery and alternator test and they both turned out okay, the guy suggested maybe it was the starter. While the guy was looking under the hood, he realized the fuel filter wasn't secure and was leaking gas all over the place. I found out the wrong fuel filter was on and a hose was just split. So I've been leaking gasoline thanks to Pep Boys and driving all over the place for 1 or 2 weeks and could've been killed easily. I took it somewhere else and had the right fuel filter put on and replaced the busted hose. Since having that fixed this evening it doesn't seem like the car struggles to start as much in the few times I've tried to start it since then, but maybe I'm not being objective about it. My question is do I need to go in for further inspection or did the leaking gas have something to do with the car struggling to start up? A friend suggested to me that it was likely not the starter because of the mileage. I know there's lot of reasons why a car might not start or at least struggle but I'm not sure what to look at?

[Markb873]

The fuel pump won't be able to build fuel pressure like it should with a leak in the hose so it will take awhile to start. The starter is the last thing I would check because it does start. A starter either works or doesn't or makes it odvious if it's in between. As for stopping at the light, it may have been related to the fuel filter, the engine may have briefly ran out of gas because of a restriction. Has it happened again sence?

[ricbost]

Originally Posted by Markb873

The fuel pump won't be able to build fuel pressure like it should with a leak in the hose so it will take awhile to start. The starter is the last thing I would check because it does start. A starter either works or doesn't or makes it odvious if it's in between. As for stopping at the light, it may have been related to the fuel filter, the engine may have briefly ran out of gas because of a restriction. Has it happened again sence?

Luckily it hasn't stalled since then and I was told if it didn't stall again not to worry about it but I wanted to check in with the experts here first.