fuel pump question 2002 Mada Protege

[walleyemaniac]

My daughter's boyfriend has a 2002 Mazda Protege ES with manual transmission. The car gets really jerky in first gear, the rest of the gears seems to work fine. Took it into the machanic, hooked it up to the computer, seems to be fuel related.

Wondering if anyone knows if there is a fuel filter anywhere else on the car but in the fuel tank. Wondering also if fuel pump should be replaced when we replace the screen. Was told to replace the screen by machanic.

If anyone knows anything else to check, please inform. Thanks

[Jeremy airjer W]

I can almost 100% guarantee a fuel filter or a fuel pump will not solve this.

Yes the filter is in the tank and part of the fuel pump module. It will be replaced as one assembly.

I think you need a second opinion unless he told you it was running lean or rich or had a misfire or low fuel pressure or high fuel pressure or something that would give some clue as to what it was doing in first gear?

[walleyemaniac]

I'll have to ask more questions. I have driven it and it doesn't seem like clutch or transmission. Clutch is solid, no slipping, when engaged. There's nothing that makes me think any thing is wrong with first gear either (transmission wise).

It's like the motor lurches when you first start out or are trying to idle in first gear (sometimes just a little in second as well). Thought maybe timing or something like that? Just don't know that much about those Mazda's. It's got a 2.0L by the way. Maybe a sensor problem of some sort... IDK

[Pooh]

I had a truck that did that. Almost felt like a really bad miss. Turned out to be the EGR valve. Mine only did it in 1st and slow 2nd. Not saying the EGR is your problem but a place to look.

[walleyemaniac]

Ya something to check, thanks. Like shootin in the dark on this one.