Please help.... Need to know what to do...

ok I just recently bought a 99 dodge durango with 111,000 miles on it... Well when I got it home a few short days later we were driving it and it felt like it fluttered when my husband accelerated it.. This does not happen all the time just every once in a while.. well we changed the fuel pump, thinking maybe that the old one was going out.. Nope even with the new on in it, it still does it.. When it does this fluttering (that is about the best way to describe it) the rpms go up, down,up and then its fine. Yuo can hear it like it is spitting and about to die.. What could this be? Please help, what should we do next??

 

Check engine light? If you haven't already, I would get it scanned for codes even if the light is not on. Auto Zone will do it for free; post back what you find. At 111,000 miles there are a number of possibilities. You changed the fuel filter when you did the pump?

 

no the light isn't on.. First I called the local dodge dealer and they told me there was no fuel filter.. My husband works in the oil field so I am left here to do this all on my own. So I thought it was a lil wierd there would be no fuel filter, but I went with the pump anyways.. Ok so I can take it to Auto Zone and tell them what? That I need it diagnosed??

 

Hopefully one of the MOPAR experts will jump in here; no fuel filter? I wonder what happens to all the crap that eventually collects in the bottom of the tank and is inevitably sucked up by the pump. Just go to Auto Zone and tell them you're getting some wierd engine operation but no check engine light and could they please put their code reader on it and see if anything comes up. They're usually pretty easy to work with (they're obviously hoping you'll buy any needed parts from them).

Aside from any codes that may come up there are a number of things that could be causing your problems, vacuum leak(s) for one. Also you could have an electronic ignition component going bad; often this will show up intermittently and generally only when things get up to temperature. Have you ever noticed that it does it more often when the engine is at normal operating temperature or have you noticed it doing it shortly after starting while the engine is still relatively cool. Unfortunately, failing electronic components can often be hard to pin down until they have actually failed.

 

disheartening to buy and "fix".!
i owned a 98 dakota and it DID have a fuel filter. i feel certain your does too. i can't remember exactly where it was, but you can trace the fuel line back to the tank and find it. i expect it is in front of(before) the fuel regulator to protect the injectors. with that many miles, i would check ALL the vacuum hoses for leaks(many small leaks equal one large one). tug on them gently one at a time. if they come off, cut off about 1/8 inch and push it back on. another thing is the air inlet at the engine. it gets dirty and the plate won't close properly and it sticks. if memory serves, this is just before the throttle pos. switch. i presume you have checked the intake filter!
this may sound silly, but with the engine off depress the accelerator to the floor about 15 ro 20 times. most people drive in a certain way that keeps the throttle pos. switch working in a defined area. moving it to the limits a few times "sometimes" helps the stumbling( if it is just that). sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. won't hurt to try!
(i know i'll hear about that one!)

 

ok thanks to all that posted to help me know what to do.. I did take the durango to auto zone it is a misfire in the psark plug.. so bought new plugs and wires.. thanks so much it was greatly appreciated.