I got my beast about 6 mos. ago, and as the car has been stuttering/chugging/missing under acceleration and nothing that I've done to remedy it has helped.

I have:

- Replaced Plugs
- Replaced Plug Wires
- Replaced Air Filter
- run MCCC

Although I still don't have any idea what the problem is, I'm going to try replacing my fuel filter. Only thing is, I believe it's a stock filter (the guy i bought it from mustn't have cared about routine maintenance- it looks like it's been in there for ever!), and I am told that it's really tough to remove without damaging it.

Crappy Tire is telling me that it could cost from $78-$150, depending on how badly corroded it is. My question is: is this reasonable?

Thanks all

If they have to break the fuel line to get the old filter off, it could take them up to a couple hours to fix (by the book).

Sounds reasonable.

Although I hope it works, I have never heard of anyone fixing any kind of problem on a DSM by replacing the fuel filter.

Still, I hope that does the trick for you.

If it doesn't, you might want to check for intake leaks.

Sean- I think that (unfortunately) you are absolutely right.

I'm just spinning my wheels at this point, but I don't know what else to do.

I'm gonna' try to get my datalogger to work tonight (it's been giving me beginner's greif lately), and see what kind of readings I'm getting. Hopefully it'll at least point me in a (somewhat) right direction!

Hey Dan,Sorry you are still messing with your car.Hopefully the logger will give you some ideas on whats wrong.

I changed out my fuel filter as part of my search to solve my problems and can bet it was original too.The top came off good but the bottom was a bit harder.Lucky to have buddy with long arms and we didn't even take out the battery.Took maybe 15 minutes wasn't that bad.No special wrenches or nothing.Went back in ok.They really should have mounted it higher or on the engine or sideways ,anything but what they did.I will likely be getting rid of it and putting in a higher flow later on anyway.

I am still putting my money on coilpacks although they are pricey for sure.

I still have a problem at least did a few days ago but it seems to be only when car has been driven for like an hour.Shorter periods it seems to run fine and it isn't misfiring like before but just starts bogging off idle,then seems slow to rev and then it seems to not do much at wot either hard to describe.But idle is smooth and no machine gun noise when I floor it.

I still suspect one of three things left really,
ecu problems from the caps,bad tps or bad fuel pump/injectors.

We shall see shortly.Likely ordered a logger this week.Really don't like laptops or palms and would prefer to wait for scanmaster since it don't use either and is plug and play but it still might not be out for several months and I need some logging asap to tune my maft.

Always use flare nut wrenches on fuel/brake lines.

Checking for intake leaks is always a good idea.