Changing Fuel Filter...

[Lostagain]

Hey guys, I have searched around a little and didn't find the answer to this so if it's a repeat I'm sorry.

I'm having problems with my Legacy just momentarily shutting off while crusing. It will just die for a few seconds and then snap back to life. I've noticed that if I give the gas pedal a little tickle that it will instantly come around. If I hold the pedal steady it will sometimes take around 5 seconds or so before it comes back to life. It's like I just turned the key off and back on again. Never happens under acceleration.

Anyways, I want to try some simple things first. I'm not sure that the fuel filter has ever been changed. I'd like to know how to release the fuel pressure in the lines before I change it out. Anybody know how to do this without messing anything up? The car has 123K miles on it and probably has never had the filter replaced. If anybody may have an idea what is going on I'd appreciate a little direction. This is the first problem I have had with this car. Thanks in advance!

[GrassyKnoll]

is it just when you are driving straight?

or does it happen perhaps when you accelerate from a stop, especially around a right turn?

If it is the first problem then you could try changing the fuel filter.. but im not sure that would do anything (but they are cheap so why not). That is located near the window washing fluid resovoir under teh hood.

If it is the second problem, your issue lies in the design of your gas tank. I am trying to figure out now if there is something else contributing to this problem or not. within the next couple weeks i am going to replace the fuel filter and the fuel pump to see if that makes a differnece. I know for a fact that many other experience this same problem because of the fuel tank design. However, I thought the problem didn't used to be as bad in the past so I am hoping fixing fuel filter and pump may make a difference.

We shall see!

[Plays_with_Toys]

For releiving pressure, I just did the filter after the car sat a day, opened up the gas cap, then unscrewed the lines. I put a paper towel under each line, then inserted a bolt into the line while I took the old filter out. You'll want some mini-condoms, whatever those plug things are called because your old fuel filter will be quite full of fuel. Sometimes the plugs from the new filter can be used. The ones on mine were so tight I had to cut them off, and use a different set of plugs.

[Huffer]

Depends on what year your Legacy is - the fuel filter is either a black cannister in the engine bay by the batteryside, or it's in the back in the fuel tank (later years put them in the tank).

[Lostagain]

Thanks for the replys. It only quits while just cruising straight, usually on the interstate. I have not been able to relate it to anything other than maybe one spot in the gas pedal travel. It never does it under acceleration or at idle. I'm thinking maybe the TPS has a dead spot in it. I'm going to try to replace the fuel filter soon. I need to get some new fuel line because the old is dry rotted. I already have the new filter and it does mount under the hood. I was hoping to find the fuse for the fuel pump and pull it while the car was running to bleed off the fuel pressure but if I can wait a day and remove the cap without getting blasted with fuel then I'll just do it that way. Thanks...

[Plays_with_Toys]

I asked the dealership where the shut off was too, like haynes says to do. They didn't know and I asked a tech who says they never shut it off when cars are brought in. :?

[Lostagain]

I have it fixed. It was the fuel filter. There was no pressure on it like I thought there would be. Runs great now.

[Perdue]

I've never shut off anything as far as fuel pressure when I changed my fuel filter. Glad to know you got it working.

Edit: Also glad to see another West Virginian on the boards. There are a couple here, but I think I'm the only active one. Welcome.