I finally cranked the ES after sitting for the winter and went for a spin over the weekend. It initially ran great as usual then started sputtering and then to almost die as though it were running out of fuel. I parked beside the road for a few min. and started the car up again. Ran great until I was almost home and then began sputtering again.

Anyway, after multiple checks I have concluded that it isn't getting fuel sometimes. When it's beginning to die, I can hear the fuel pump really struggling. Clogged fuel filter or strainer in the tank? The intermitten problem suggests the strainer since the problem temporarily goes away after sitting for a few min.

I seem to remember the 1800s having a wire mesh strainer in the fuel tank that some people were removing. If that is correct, can it be accessed through the hole for the fuel level sending unit or must I drain the tank to remove it from the bottom?

Thoughts, comments and suggestions will be appreciated