Sienna Stalling After Fuel Filter Change

I had a similar problem with my old Volvo V70. Check engine light, occasional stalling. It ended up being a faulty fuel pressure regulator. My mechanic told me that sometimes, when you replace the fuel filter, a surge of crud can dislodge and gunk up the regulator. Have you checked for any error codes? That would be my first step before suspecting the fuel pump or fuel efficiency issues.

That's interesting about the Volvo. So, the fuel filter gunking up the regulator makes sense. How did they pinpoint it was the regulator on your V70? Were there specific things they looked for or tested? I'm trying to avoid just throwing parts at it. Also, I did get a code, I think it was something related to fuel trim, but I'd have to double-check.

In my case, the workshop checked the fuel pressure with a gauge, and it was fluctuating wildly. They also ran some diagnostics that specifically pointed to the regulator. It’s like diagnosing a leaky faucet; you want to check the pressure before replacing the whole plumbing system. Considering you got the code after changing the filter, it is highly probable that this is related. I would advise you to bring your car to a workshop so they can check it.

Thanks a lot for the insight! I really appreciate you sharing your experience with the Volvo. I'm going to take your advice and bring it in to the shop. It was the fuel pressure regulator, just like you suspected! The error entry was the root cause. They replaced it for 45€, so I am happy now!