I have a 2000 Monte Carlo LS with 208000 miles on it and it's been sputtering for a couple months. I recently ran out of gas because my gauge doesn't work and ever since its been running rough and sputtering. I replaced the fuel filter and it's still sputtering. Any ideas? Check engine light isn't on.

 

Can you tell us what kind of repair/maintenance work has been done as far back as possible?

 

I haven't done anything really except the fuel filter. I was thinking maybe when it ran out of gas it picked up rust from the bottom of the tank so the fuel pump strainer would be clogged. It sputters when it first gets turned on and then it starts accelerating like it should. But when I get around 50-60 mph it completely stalls out and I can't accelerate at all if I have to slow down for something. Could it be a failing fuel pump if it's not the strainer?

 

Don't know how long you've had the car but 208,000 is a lot of miles. There's a bunch of general maintenance that needs to get done around 100,000. The strainer is a strong possibility, and it is likely fuel system related, but you said it started a while before you ran out of gas. There's a list of things as long as your arm that could cause sputtering. Probably gonna' need to do some diagnostics. A fuel pressure test would help troubleshoot a clogged strainer or fuel pump problem. Pressure should be around 50 psi and only vary a 1-2 psi regardless of RPMs.

 

I've only had the car for about 2 years and haven't really had to do much maintenance. I was planning on doing the fuel pressure test but I was also thinking if it was a bad sensor and I replaced the fuel pump then it'd still have the sputtering problem. I just don't want to put a ton of money in it until I know for sure what the problem is.