What can cause a fuel filter to go bad, what are the results of it? how do i know if i need a new one?

My car randomly died tonight while i was driving, and i couldnt get it to start back up, Im fairly certain its not the alternator, batter, starter or distributor. Its turning over, just not firing up. I tried to jump start it, still no dice, thus its not the battery or alternator. I was getting it pushed by a guy, and i tried to push start it by letting out the clutch while moving, no dice, thus its not the starter. The guy that helped me did some kind of test on the distributor but unhooking one of the wires, using a screwdriver and touching it to the head, and it sparked, so the distributor still has power. I can hear my fuel pump coming on, so it should be getting fuel. The motor turns, but won't fire, and theres some sort of clicking noise while its turning over.

I recently had some trouble with an intake manifold gasket, and coolant and fuel were getting into the runners, causing a ridiculous amount of smoke, im pretty sure that burn out my car, would all that smoke also cause the fuel filter to go bad? Because i know if you have a bad fuel filter the car wont fire up; so im hoping thats all that the problem is here.

 

I doubt it's your fuel filter. Most tend to go without replacing them.

I would bet your problems lie in your distributor. The screwdriver test is not the most conclusive test, as I've figured out myself. Try to get your hands on another distributor and all should be well.

 

It may not just be your fuel filter. It sounds like it is your fuel pump. That would cause it to do what your talking about. Though you do want to replace your filter too even if it is just the fuel pump. Do the easy thing first and replace your filter. Then go for the pump. If your car has a lot of miles on it then i think that it is the fuel pump. I would think if it was your filter that you would have some kind of indication that it is going bad like losing power when you get on the throttle. I have had the pump go out on me and it did the same thing. Do not keep trying to start the car because that could hurt your injectors. Good luck.

 

make sure if you r getting spark. then find out if you r getting fuel.

 

well, the pump is still turning on, i can hear it when i turn the key on...

 

It was just a fuse to the injectors...

 

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the simplest answer....

 

If your not sure when the last time the filter was changed it would not be a bad idea to replace it. They only cost about $10 and take 30min to install.

 

can u give me a diagram or something on where a fuel filter is on a 91 integra auto

 

I belive it is on the fire wall, near the battery. Looks like a black round thing, line in to the bottom, and a line out of the top to the fuel rail

 

my battery is in the front left by my air filter...