Fuel sender/fuel filter/fuel pump/ temperature gauge

jack eiler · 29th April 2012, 18:11

About this time a year ago, I had a problem with the gauge. I was constantly running out of gas, tank indicated 1/2 tank. Turned out to be the left sender. Fixed the sender, end of problem. Decided at 124,000 that maybe a fuel filter was in order, (Why would this ever need to be changed?), did this, after being prompted by this board. Dramatic change in performance; also was told I'd need a fuel pump soon! They were right again; also a drastic performance increase! Now for the real question- The temperature gauge always was on the first mark, and after going to secret #7, indicated 78-79C constantly. Now it runs in the center, and 84/85 C! The ambient temp has increased; though I'm still running in the center, 84/85 when the temp was 30 F earlier this week. Why is this happening? I have changed nothing in my driving habits, or anything else I've done. Even the tailpipe has cleaned up. Help.

gsfent · 29th April 2012, 19:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by jack eiler

About this time a year ago, I had a problem with the gauge. I was constantly running out of gas, tank indicated 1/2 tank. Turned out to be the left sender. Fixed the sender, end of problem. Decided at 124,000 that maybe a fuel filter was in order, (Why would this ever need to be changed?), did this, after being prompted by this board. Dramatic change in performance; also was told I'd need a fuel pump soon! They were right again; also a drastic performance increase! Now for the real question- The temperature gauge always was on the first mark, and after going to secret #7, indicated 78-79C constantly. Now it runs in the center, and 84/85 C! The ambient temp has increased; though I'm still running in the center, 84/85 when the temp was 30 F earlier this week. Why is this happening? I have changed nothing in my driving habits, or anything else I've done. Even the tailpipe has cleaned up. Help.

Assuming you are not leaking any coolant, (check only when cold!) check your radiator/condensor area. I bet you find a bunch of crap like leaves, twigs and road debris, blocking airflow.

Regards,
Jerry

jack eiler · 1st May 2012, 23:35

No debris; it just seems to run warmer after changing the fuel components. I just find it interesting this is happening, and thought I might get a few ideas as to why. I can understand the performance increase after fuel component replacement. It's making sure the engine gets the correct amount of fuel, at the right pressure, etc; but the temperature thing has me baffled! I guess I will just assign the word "magic" to the temp change. Thanks again!

JoeFromPA · 2nd May 2012, 04:48

Jack,

I'm near you and only recently began watching Ktemps. I'm running 84-86 C with dips to 78-80 and increases to 87-88 if pushing hard. But on mine 84-85 C is pretty much....normal. My temp gauge doesn't really ever hit dead center for long though - once it hits that, it usually dips down pretty quickly. If it sat at the first mark, I thought that was a sign of a possible stuck thermostat.

Just saying - I didn't think these temps were abnormal at all.

jack eiler · 2nd May 2012, 12:07

Joe-

This has been an interesting repair/fix. Since I bought the car, Oct 2004; the gauge ran on the left mark in the cooler months, and in the center in the summer. Always had, so I thought this was normal. A couple of years ago, I had it scanned, and they said a T-stat was the issue. Started chasing this site for help. All the people told me about the secret menu; viola- my car NEVER went over 77/78. Bought the stat, and gasket and put them in the trunk for replacement. In the mean time I did the fuel filter, and pump. The fuel filter "just because", and the pump because it died. Now the temp is mid gauge, Ktemp is 84/85; even last week when the temps were in the 30's, and the tstat and gasket are still in the trunk. Understand my quandry?

bcampbe7 · 2nd May 2012, 14:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by jack eiler

Joe-

This has been an interesting repair/fix. Since I bought the car, Oct 2004; the gauge ran on the left mark in the cooler months, and in the center in the summer. Always had, so I thought this was normal. A couple of years ago, I had it scanned, and they said a T-stat was the issue. Started chasing this site for help. All the people told me about the secret menu; viola- my car NEVER went over 77/78. Bought the stat, and gasket and put them in the trunk for replacement. In the mean time I did the fuel filter, and pump. The fuel filter "just because", and the pump because it died. Now the temp is mid gauge, Ktemp is 84/85; even last week when the temps were in the 30's, and the tstat and gasket are still in the trunk. Understand my quandry?

Take them out of the trunk. The car feels there presence.

All kidding aside, I believe the KTemp reading is more accurate than the guage.

I need to replace the fuel filter myself. I don't have any symptoms, but in an effort to get this car to a maintenance baseline I am replacing the fuel filter. I read your other thread on the fuel pump dying. Is that pretty common? The fuel pump dying shortly after the filter is replaced?

Audioguy · 2nd May 2012, 17:08

My theory: If in fact your fuel filter and pump were causing a reduction in fuel flow (based on your feedback of dramatic improvement), then the engine was likely running lean and cutting back on power. This means a reduction of your overall generated heat, resulting in cooler running internals, and overcompensation by the cooling system once the tstat opened up. It makes sense that winters where on the cool end of the meter due to the added effect of the ambient air. After opening things back up with the replacement parts, fuel flow is resorted, and you're running "normal" levels of air/fuel resulting in higher internal heat generation which translates to more constant behavior of the cooling system.

-Audio