Fuel filter change or upgrade

[Firebird1]

Hello, I don't know if others are haveing this problem but after going about 10 -to 12 miles ((to the store) and coming out less than 30 minutes that the car does not wants to start and if it does it hesitates and the cuts off. Could this be fuel filter? I have not change the fuel filter in like four years. Therefore, I am looking at upgrading the fuel filter with 3sx filter and AN6 braided steel hoses and fittings.Should I go this route or should I stay with the standard fuel filter? How often should you change the fuel fiter in these cars? If this doesn't resolved the problem then the next thing I'll trry is upgrading the fuel pump, its never been changed either. If anybody have any other solution to this problem I am willing to listen. Thank you

[Stealthee]

No need to upgrade unless you are running huge turbos and need lots of fuel.

The not wanting to start probably has more to do with the "click-click-start" problem, or an IAC problem.

I haven't changed the filter in my Stealth in 7 years and over 70k miles and it still fires up and runs perfect.

[Firebird1]

Hello I think I read on Stealth 316 that the fuel filter should be change every 60,000 miles or 30,000 miles particular about your car. The problem I have been having since the introduction of ethanol into the fuel is that the car hesitate to start after 20 minutes sitting still after arriving at a store. It maybe a vapor lock or something and I have change the filter before the introduction of ethanol to the gasoline. So changing the fuel filter is a start in tracking down the problem I think. I could be wrong but I'm trying to solve this annoying problem. Also have anyone notice that when they fill or top off the tank the needle on the gauge does not register full????? I have started using sta-bil ethanol fuel additive to see what happen.

[Stealthee]

You are overthinking this. Ethanol has been in fuel for several years now. People just didn't pay attenttion to it. The last time I changed the fuel filter in my Stealth was in 2003 with 120k miles. The car now has 195k + miles and starts without hesitation.

As I have already said, the fuel filter would not cause a hesitant start. There are other issues at hand and it is not the fuel filter.

As for topping the tank off and it not registering properly on your gauge that is likely due to a faulty float and/or sensor.

[91STT]

Before changing or replacing anything x check the fuel pressure with the car warm. It should read about 47 psi with the vacuum line disconnected from the fpr for a TT. An N/A should be about 49 psi. If the pressure is good with the car running, reconnect the vacuum line, the pressure should drop to around 42. If the pressure readings are not close replace your fpr. If the pressure reasons are good, turn of the engine and more how long out takes before the pursue starts to drop. The pressure should be pretty stable for at least 2 minutes. If it does not hold pressure, the problem may be the fpr or fuel pump. If the pressure holds, there is a possibility that heat soak is causing your problem. In which case you will need to find the cause. There could be other causes but check the fuel pressure first.