20110807

melog-20110807.log

ok, been a while-- yada, yada, yada . . .

my car has been sputtering when i try to accelerate-- especially when i run the air conditioning. it's been nasty, hot and humid in my town. driving with no air conditioning is like taking a bath in a pit of hot coals. but, the car ran worse when the air was on.

i did some reading in the car manual for my car model. i started thinking . . . sounds like the problem is my fuel filter.

It looked easy enough to replace.

I called a nearby auto store and asked how much one costs for my model.

Just ten bucks! Cool!

I read the procedure on how to remove the fuel filter and ran up to the store to pick one up.

The book instructed to remove the fuse that powers the fuel pump first. Turn on the car and make sure it cuts off. I did this and then removed the negative battery cable.

Next, I proceeded to loosen the clamps around the hose that runs to the fuel filter.

And that's when things got ridiculously tough!

First-- my dominant hand has been really hurting. I've even seen a doctor about it and I wear an arm splint most of the time. I even sleep in it. I hardly have any strength in my hand-- I have no grip. Typing is a chore, too. But, not as hard as squeezing toothpaste onto my toothbrush.

So, I wasn't surprised that I had trouble getting the hose off of the old fuel filter. But, damn!

What the hell?!

I found that the secret was to make a twisting motion as you pulled the hose off from the filter.

OOWW!!!!

I had to take frequent breaks.

Finally, the hose on the top of the filter gave way. Gas trickled out. Luckily, the car manual recommended wearing latex gloves. Boy, I'm glad I did!

Now it was time for the bottom hose.

I finally got it free and plugged in the new filter.

No leaks.

I drove around with the air on and everything ran smoothly.

You know what? I think I fixed my car.

I only paid ten bucks, two Advil, and an icy gel pack inserted in my arm splint.

Feels so nice.