i,ve got a little problem with my van sputtering and popping. it seems to happen in the same places on roads i drive regularly. alot of times it seems to happen on right hand turns but not exclusively. is there a fuel filter i can replace or clean? i've read different things on the internet. some say its in the tank and that it is some type of screen and others say its on the top of the tank and is part of a fuel regulator. i'd just like to have an idea before i drop the tank. also this is a low mileage van with 33,000 miles but i believe it sat for quite awhile. ive changed plugs, wires, cap, rotor and pcv valve already. thanks van dudes

 

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thanks for the reply. i'll try the product you mentioned, but i've put about 4000 miles on this van. do you think it could still be water in the gas? i also did a search to price a fuel filter before you told me there wasnt one. i keep coming up with this part. it says it mounts to the top of the fuel pump outside of the tank. this isnt a filter of some type? thanks again guys

 

That is the filter but it is not that easy to replace and since you have to drop the tank to get to it you might as well just change the whole module out and be done with it. You would really hate dropping the tank to change the filter and a month of some later you have to drop it again to change the fuel pump.

 

ok i added some fuel treatment to the tank but havent driven it more than about 10 miles so we'll see what happens. on the fuel tank though, what makes it so difficult to remove? can someone tell me the procedure. thanks guys.

 

I have not done a 98-03 van's fuel tank yet. I have done 3 of the 97 and older rear tank fuel pumps. And this assumes you have removed as much fuel as possible and the tank is hopefully less than 1/4 full. If full find a way to remove most of the fuel or you will spill the majority of it.

But in general disconnect the battery.
Raise the vehcile to get it where you can comfortable get under it and have the room to drop the tank.
Buy the new parts and so far on 3 Dodges I have change the pump on I have had to buy a new gas tank fuel filler pipe gromet. It may look fine until you pull the pipe out.
Support the fuel tank and disconnect any hoses you can reach, and electrical connector to the pump module as well. Some of these you may have to wait until you lower the tank a bit.
Remove teh nuts/bolts holding the tank strips up.
Lower the tank enough to get to the other connections and disconnect them.
Now once all connections are removed lower the tank.
Using a special wrench if you can find it or using a punch and brass hammer (Do not use steel on steel hammer and punch) gently tap the tabs on the round ring to loosen the ring. Tap once or twice and move the punch to 180 degrees and repeat. Then move 90 degrees and repeat, again at 180 from there and keep that procedure until the ring is loose enough to remove by hand.
Remove the pump module and replace.
Install in reverse order.

 

If you are in the United states, the ethanol laden fuels make products like HEET redundant. You don't need to add any more alcohol to the gas to absorb moisture.

So many different things can cause the sputtering. I'd take fuel pressure readings before committing myself to replace the fuel pump module on a guess that it is the issue.

 

so i've added some seafoam to the fuel to see if that helps clear things up. ill let you guys know if i need to drop the tank. thanks dudes

 

Sorry -- wrong thread, and I can't delete comment.