This problem just started recently. When I start my car, it doesn't have enough power to move. I push the pedal and the engine starts to stall. It never stalls, but it comes close. If I push the gas a little more, it comes back to life and stutters a bit. After about 2-5 minutes of driving the problem goes away until I turn it off for a while. I noiticed that if I tap the gas just before it starts it's "putt putt" problem, I get it going without the put. If I hold the pedal in place, it losed rpm and then it will catch again sometimes. But not before leaving me doing 2 miles an hour in a 35 zone. Somebody told me to change the fuel filter, but my Haynes book doesn't say anything about changing the filter, just says that it could be the cause. Then I went online to buy one from Autozone and they don't even sell the filter. I get a little saying at the bottom that it is part of the fuel assembly. Weird? Anybody have any ideas?

How many miles on the car? Automatic transmission or standard?

137,000... Automatic

How long since the last tune-up on the car?

My brother did a tune up on the car about a year ago, changed the spark plugs, all kinds of things. Then he went back to Chicago, he is a mechanic.

Has the timing belt ever been changed?

Yes, it was one of those, let's change it while we are there things. I talked to my Father-in-Law, it sounds like it might be the filter, but since it is one of those one's that is inside the gas tank, he said to change the pump too. $600 cha-ching. That stinks, he said to add a fuel addative that would temporarily help with the problem. I don't want to spend money on a fuel system cleaning, especially if I get the problem back again or the pump fails. Is there a way to check fuel pressure withough going to a professional?

The next time the car has sat for some time instead of just starting the car normally, turn the key to the point just before you would normally hear the starter turning the engine. Let it stay in this position for about 10 seconds. Do you hear the fuel pump humming? The fuel pump should hum enough to pressurize the fuel system. Now turn the key to the off position. Now turn the key to the same poisition just before the car would start and let the fuel pump pressurize the fuel system again. Do this a few times to make sure that there is enough fuel in the fuel system. If the car starts and runs fine with this method then it is either the fuel filter or the fuel pump is losing its capacity. The fuel pump can be tested but you have to put a gauge on the fuel line after the fuel pump. This can be dangerous if not done properly (aka fire). A mechanic can test the pressure in the fuel system rather easily.