Volvo Repair: volvo v40 fuel filter, fuel pressure regulator, volvo v40

Question
have 2002 and it runs great except when I hit the gas hard and the engine hesitates and starts acting like it is fuel starved. if I don't back off the gas the check engine light flashes a few seconds till it recovers. Under normal everyday driving it is fine. I was thinking of replacing the fuel filter and discovered it is in a cannister that has air pressure in it.Does it sound like the problem and what amount of air is required after the new one is installed. I have worked on my own cars for years and this looks like I need the manual.

Answer
AL, welcome to new thinking.  Its not the ol fuel filter trick on these cars.  You may have 2 issues.  One is a fuel pressure regulator problem and the second is an airmass meter issue.  Thats not the fuel filter you are looking at.  Fuel filter is silver and has fuel pressure, not air.  You also need to have the car scanner by a Volvo shop to determine what is going on.  Roger