Thermostats and Fuel filters?

Question

Is it true that if you're fuel filter is dirty- your car might have a hard time starting?

And thermostats- My heat thermometer keeps going up to the "H".. I took it into the shop 2 years ago- They said nothing was wrong. Could it be my thermostat?

Help!!

Answer 1

There are a couple of other problems that can give you the same symptoms. To diagnose the problem yourself, you must have a general knowledge of how the system works. There are 2 necessary steps that must be accomplished to cool the engine. 1. Water flow 2. Water cooling. The thermostat affects the water flow, by regulating it to a particular temperature. The water pump also affects the flow by propeling the water throught the system. One other factor affecting flow is the radiator if it is extremely dirty inside. This will slow the flow of water. The cooling of the water is affected by the amount of air being drawn across the cooling fins of the radiator, and the heat of the air. In other words, you need to find out if you have water flowing through the system when it is at or above normal temperature. If so, do you have air flowing across the cooling fins of the radiator. It could also be a combination of 2 or more things. For example, your radiator is slightly stopped up, and slowing the flow of the water, but with an outside temperature of 75 degrees, the air flowing across the radiator will still keep the temp below 200. Now given that it is now summer, you add the extra strain of running the A/C, plus the outside air is 100 degrees, plus it is now running through a hot A/C condenser before it even gets to the radiator, now it overheats.

Answer 2

Dirty fuel filter can cause several problems, depending on your year and make of auto. If you auto has EFI, Electronic Fuel Injection, the fuel pump is always pumping and the fuel system is always under pressure when the igniton it turned on. A dirty or clogged fuel filter can prevent fuel from reaching the fuel injectors in each cylinder or cause the fuel pressure to be lower than required. This can also cause an uneven spray delivery of fuel into the engine's cylinders.

The overheating problem can also be caused by a defective thermostat. However, most defective thermostats fail in the open position, not the closed position. Another problem to consider is the cooling fan. Most late model vehicles have electric cooling fans that force air through the radiator to cool the hot coolant from the engine. These fans are operated by a thermostatic switch that causes the fan to come on when the coolant and engine reaches a preset temperature. If you have an electric fan, check to make sure the fan is cycling on and off properly. Theses fans also come on when the air condtioning system is turned on to force cool air through the car's condenser which is usually in front of the car's radiator. The radiator cap is also very important since today's cars operate at a temperature at almost the boiling point of water, about 200+ degrees. The main function of a radiator cap is to prevent the coolant from boiling since it allows the system to pressurize which raises the boilng point of water or coolant (50% water + 50% anti-freeze). Remember the higher the pressure the higher the boiling point of water. To check the thermostat, when the engine is cold - NEVER HOT - take off the radiator cap, start the engine, allow it to warm up to operating temperature and see if the coolant is moving through the radiator. If it is being pumped through the radiator, your problem is something else, perhaps a bad hose, loose fan belt (which drives the water pump), even bugs or other debris stuck in the radiator fins can cause overheating. Could also be an internal engine problem such as a bad head gasket! Good luck!

Answer 3

Simple answer here replace them both and see what happens.And 2 years is a long time ago.If your car is going all the way to H then a thermostat is a LOT! cheaper than engine damage caused by overheating.And a dirty fuel filter is more likely to cause a problem at say highway speed but if bad enough I suppose it could cause a hard starting condition.Bottom line is that if you want your car to perform properly then it is your responsibility to maintain it as such. Good luck.

Answer 4

yes to the dirty fuel filter and ...

To the second question..you took your car to the shop 2 years ago? It could be a number of things from the thermostat to low coolant to a hole in a hose or the radiator....

Answer 5

a dirty fuel filter can cause difficult startint it also causes the idle to flutuate or act like it wants to die and as far as the thermostat have it taken out and see if this helps to keep it from overheating or rather the gauge showing you are overheated if it does than it is the thermostat if not you have a different problem could be the temperature sensor or possibly a bad gauge

Answer 6

Yes, the fuel filter can make it hard to start, or worse yet it won't start at all.

And Yes it most likely is your thermostat causing the high temp. Change it out, and that should fix you up

Good Luck.

Answer 7

Yes and yes. Fuel filters are the most neglected item, replace every 15,000 miles or sooner. The can kill power and makes it hard on the fuel pumps that it can cause pump failure. T-stats can cause over heat problems, low coolant bad water pump, cooling fans not working can also cause over heat problems. See a good mechanic for diag of a over heat problem.

Answer 8

Yes and yes.
Thermostats can usually give troubles in beginning of winter. Definitely change it though. Can't hurt. Check clutch fan if rear wheel drive or whatever. Check radiator fan. Check cooling system all together. Good luck, write back with more info and I'd be glad to help you troubleshoot the problem.

Answer 9

yes if your gas filter is dirty your car might not run or if it does it wont run very good ,and a faulty thermostat will make your engine hot especially if it is stuck in the closed position.

Answer 10

yes it is true that clogged fuel filter will cause hard starting, but so will fouled plugs.... the thermostat could be a problem, but so could the water pump...