Is this a sign that I need to replace the fuel filter on my car?

Question

A couple of days ago, I was backing out of a parking lot. As soon as I put my vehicle in reverse gear, it died instantly. I was able to successfully start it back up again. A couple of hours later, I tried to start it and the check engine light came on. I tried to start it the second time and it was successful. Ever since then, it has started and ran just fine.

Specifics: 2000 Chevy Malibu with about 147,900 miles on it. Routine maintenance such as tune-up, oil changes, tire changes, and other necessary routine things are all that have been done, with the exception of a slight problem with instrumentation (false check engine light readings) very early on, around 50,000 miles -- which has since been corrected. Only thing I have noted lately is if it gets down to 1/3 or 1/4 of a tank, it loses RPM power when going up hills. Otherwise, the car runs fine. (I commute back and forth to work 70 miles a day, and utilize cruise control most of the time).

Darkwolf: Are you talking about a transmission flush?

Answer 1

sounde like you need a fuel filter the looses power up hills is the clue

also the stall in reverse may be the tourque converter lock up solonoid in the trans

Answer 2

that's no longer likely the gasoline filter out. once you're transforming into smoke from the exhaust, then there is customarily like a clogged or malfunctioning gasoline injector. a bad gasoline filter out ends up in undesirable overall performance at extreme rpm, [heavy acceleration] the foremost to the subject is the colour of the smoke. Black is gasoline wealthy, [injector(s)], blue is oil [by ability of-passing the piston rings] and white is coolant, [from a leaking head gasket].

Answer 3

Since you already have carried out the routine preventive maintenance and which means she has a clean bill from that side; you can surely go ahead and change the fuel filter. This should get your car back to her normal self.

You have diagnosed the problem perfectly.

Answer 4

I had a similar problem with my old 1987 Grand Am.

I would start it fine, and it would die when I put it into gear.

I would recommend having your trans looked at, and possibly the fluid changed. Have a mechanic look at the filter first, but I doubt that's the problem

Answer 5

Hi
I had a Caddillac that did the same thing. here's what I did to resolve it.
Removed the gas tank and replaced the filter on the inlet tube, and this solved my problem