I noticed some smoke comming out of #3 cylinder when I took out the spark plugs.

 

Fuel pressure gauge says 0. How is this possible since engine runs and drives on 3 cylinders? Definately something wrong here.

 

I checked fuel pressure directly at pump and got 40. Looks like we might have a clogged filter. I gave my mechanic a new one to put in with the tank and pump. Would not have guesses it to be that simple. We shall see as soon as I can get to the store for a new filter. Is 40 the correct pressure?

 

It turned out to be the fuel filter causing all these problems. It had rocks in it. Replaced it and everything is fine again.

 

Wow. Maintenance. What a concept.....

 

I never thought to check the filter because my mechanic said he changed it. He even showed me the old one. Not sure how all that crud got in the new one. It is running a little better now. All cylinders are firing. It still sputters pretty bad when I first take off, before it gets warmed up. Maybe the O2 sensor is bad?

 

Which of my Tips have you completed so far?

 

I replaced the map sensor and hose just to be sure there was no issue.
What other tips do you have for why it sputters on take off (before it warms up).
Mecanic unplugged the o2 sensor. He said I didn't need it since there is no catalytic converter. Still sputters though.

 

Let's see..........

How about 1 through 5 and possibly 27?

It NEEDS the O2 sensor to be functional.

 

Just to be clear, I bought a new fuel filter along with the new fuel pump and fuel tank for my mechanic to put on.

He used all the parts I brought him, but after I removed the supposedly new fuel filter I could tell that it was not new. The finish on it was fine, but it had a few small scrapes on it. Small rocks came out of it when shook, a few bugs, it was crazy.

Either my mechanic was dishonest and kept my new fuel filter, or someone returned a fuel filter to the autoparts store that wasnt working and they resold it.

Its a really cheap part, about $15, so I dont believe my mechanic was being dishonest.

 

wow

 

Your mechanic sounds like a parts replacer.

 

with all that garbage in the tank and pump. The fuel lines should have been flushed, and probably backwards at that. so it did not get in to the fuel rail. But then again thats what the filter is for in the first place. but not for extrem rust and crud.

 

The lines where flushed when the mechanic replaced the tank and again when I cleaned the injectors.
After about a week of sputtering every morning before it warmed up and a couple tanks of gas. Now it is finally running properly! Maybe it didn't care for the sea foam or just bad gas? Just when I was giving up it seemed to fix itself.
I know my tank and filter was in need of replacing, the wiring was a mess and the vacuum hoses needed some attention. I'm not sure which one or if all of them where the cause of my problems. Its strange that it took a week after I did the work to start acting right.
I learned some good trouble shooting tips and lost a little more hair on my head but all is well for now. Thanks to all for your help!

 

So Baldy, you keep us in the loop should problems rear their ugly head, okay?