performance problems

[twistable_deer]

hi,

i have a 2002 sunfire gt and i think there is something wrong with my engine. the problem is when i hit the gas the engine shuts off for a second then kicks back on and this is very violent, my car is a manual. i do have a big hole in one of my mufflers and the check engine light went on and the computer is telling me that it is the evap system, could the hole or evap really affect the performance? also the engine only has 160 000 kms on it which is not a lot.

Thanks

 

[melsg5]

it's not the hole, it's the evap system or something related, have you checked your fuel pressure? how many miles since your changed the fuel filter? how many miles since your changed the air filter?

 

[twistable_deer]

well since i bought it i'v never change the fuel filter. the air filter looks clean but we are going to change it for a round k & n filter which has double the air flow. how often should you change a fuel filter. i don't know what kind the maintenance this car had with the previous owner, i never met him or her i bought it at a used car dealer.

 

[melsg5]

since you dont know when it was changed last, do it now and every 30k miles.