[reeners81]

I have a 1999 rodeo. I'm guessing 3.2L. its a v6 4x4, with 100k miles.
I bought it in March of '08 at a BH-PH lot, with 90k miles. Ran great when I first bought it. About a month later, started having problems with it idling way to high, but only when it was in park. within two months, was driving down the road and lost all the bearings in my s-belt pulley- replaced pulley and the belt that it shredded when it locked up.

Other than the high idle when in park, wasnt having any other problems until two weeks ago. First my brakes went out unexpectedly... had absolutely no indication that they were deteriorating- no squeak/squeal, no slip, no light. All the sudden one day is started grinding horrendously on me. I took it in and it cost to me $500 (of which I had to borrow $100 until pay day) for all 4 new brake pads and rotors.

THE DAY AFTER I drop $500 to fix the brakes, my car starts acting up. It shakes, and acts like its choking out. Its worst when I first start it up, rides rough the first few minutes, acting like it wants to choke/stall out. Once its warmed up, it rides smoother when driving, but when stopped and idling it starts shaking a bit again and the check engine light flashes.

My dad bought one of those things that reads the codes from the computer, and I got several codes saying there was a misfire, its starved for fuel, something about the idle. Dad suggests a tune-up, and confirmed what my grandpa suspected, that I need either a fuel filter or pump or something to that effect.

I took it in this morning to Firestone and had a Plus tune-up.. which includes a regular tune-up plus having the fuel system cleaned- fuel injectors and fuel intake system. When I picked it up this evening, there was no change in the way it was running. They recommended having a diagnostic ran, for $79.99 of course @@

When I asked him to check how much it is to change the fuel filter, he couldnt find anything in the computer, which made him think the filter might be in the tank- a service they dont offer. Is this the case? I seem to have seen a couple articles on other sites stating issues with a fuel sensing unit often going bad. Is this something thats difficult to replace? Really tho, I dont THINK thats my problem, b/c most the articles cited issues with the fuel gauge- when its full, suddenly plummeting to empty, or jumping up and down, the fuel light flashing. I dont have any of those problems. I am THINKING its a clogged fuel filter, but I know nothing about cars really so I could be totally wrong.

My dad will do some repairs for me if I buy a manual, but wont touch anything inside the tank. Also, he doesnt WANT to do the repairs, he urged me to take it somewhere for the tune-up b/c he just didnt FEEL like being bothered with it. (VERY aggravating to me, I'm pretty broke and just wasted a crap load of money on labor today.) Any suggestions, PLEASE?