My car will be starting perfect and when the gas tank gets lower it will start having problems .

I have an 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander, my car will work perfectly but when my gas tank starts to get low the car will start having problems starting. I would have to push the gas to get the car to start running and it will run perfectly. What could be wrong with my car. Also, my car will overheat very fast we put water in it a month before and next month the water will be low or gone cause the car to run hot.

My car has 170000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Based on the information you gave, it sounds like a possible fuel starvation issue, caused by a partially blocked, in-tank fuel filter or a crack in the fuel pump housing. The remedy would be to replace the fuel pump assembly and filter. The overheating may be caused by several things, including a stuck thermostat, faulty water pump, or even a cracked head gasket. I suggest having a certified technician, like one from YourMechanic, inspect the relevant systems to pinpoint the cause of your vehicle’s hard starting issue and overheating problem.

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :

The most common reasons a Mitsubishi Eclipse is overheating are a coolant leak (water pump, radiator, hose etc.), the radiator fan, or a failed thermostat. Coolant leak (water pump, radiator, hose etc.)
The average cost for a Mitsubishi Outlander Fuel Pump Replacement is between $1,709 and $1,793.
There are two main causes for engine overheat: The coolant does not flow through the system like it should. There is not enough air flowing through the radiator.
If your engine is sputtering or stalls in the middle of your drive, your fuel pump is likely the issue. The low pressure caused by a faulty fuel pump means that your engine isn`t getting the fuel and air mixture it needs to initiate combustion and power the car.
Leaks are the #1 reason a vehicle begins to overheat. Leaks in hoses, the radiator, water pump, thermostat housing, heater core, head gasket, freeze plugs and a few other things can all lead to problems with the vehicle`s cooling system.
With the fuel pressure gauge attached, start the engine and let it idle. Disconnect the vacuum hose from the pressure regulator; the pressure should drop approximately 8 to 10 PSI. If it does not, suspect a problem with the regulator or its` vacuum supply.
When the fuel pump is heated frequently within a few moments of turning the vehicle on, such as is common in stop-and-go driving patterns, the fuel pump may overheat and cause the engine to overhead too. Typically, you may drive for 15 to 30 minutes, and then suddenly stop working and the engine gets hot.
If your car`s fuel pump is failing, you may be able to get your vehicle started again through the application of external manual pressure.
Fuel pump failures tend to be sudden and unpredictable, with few symptoms to warn the motorist that trouble is brewing. And the higher the mileage on the vehicle, the greater the risk of a fuel pump failure.
Why is my car overheating but it has coolant in it? It could be that the coolant concentration is not correct, or you may have a bad thermostat, a failed water pump, broken drive belt, or a bad radiator or radiator fan.
The best way to prevent an overheating car engine is to have regular coolant flushes and exchanges performed on your car, and stay up-to-date with radiator maintenance as recommended by your vehicle manufacturer. Routine inspections can also help you fix any potential radiator or engine issues before they worsen.
It gets even more concerning and confusing when car overheating suddenly returns to normal. This phenomenon can happen for many reasons, like a bad thermostat, a faulty radiator, or a coolant leak. As such, it`s best to get your car checked by a professional— like RepairSmith!
How long can a car overheat before damage occurs? It only takes 30-60 seconds of overheating for permanent damage to infiltrate a vehicle. As soon as you notice signs of overheating, you need to act. Failure to do so might result in troubles like coolant leaks, damaged radiator caps, and a faulty cooling fan.
Incorrect ignition timing is most extreme cases of a poorly running engine that can create extra heat but even things like worn spark plugs, a clogged fuel system or a dirty airflow sensor can cause your engine to create extra heat and run hot.
Also called heat illnesses, there are several forms of hyperthermia. Heat cramps are fairly mild, whereas heat exhaustion is more severe. Heatstroke is the most serious form of hyperthermia and can be life-threatening.
As an engine overheats, the aluminium material can begin to warp, swell, expand and even crack. A warped cylinder head could separate from the engine block, creating a leak in the head gasket. A leaky head gasket will cause your engine to start burning oil and coolant.
Low coolant: Whether caused by a leak or water evaporation, low coolant is the most common source of poor heater output. Thermostat: A stuck-open thermostat prevents the engine (and coolant) from heating up. Heater core: A clogged heater core restricts coolant flow, giving up little or no heat.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

My car will be starting perfect and when the gas tank gets lower it will start having problems .
ANSWER : Based on the information you gave, it sounds like a possible fuel starvation issue, caused by a partially blocked, in-tank fuel filter or a crack in the fuel pump housing. The remedy would be to replace the fuel pump assembly and filter. The overheating may be caused by several things, including a stuck thermostat, faulty water pump, or even a cracked head gasket. I suggest having a certified technician, like one from YourMechanic, inspect the relevant systems to pinpoint the cause of your vehicle’s hard starting issue and overheating problem.

Not getting enough fuel car will not run right. It stalls when you give it gas and stalls when it’s running. It’s a 1984 Ford Escort.
ANSWER : Hi there, thanks for writing in. Several early 80’s Ford’s swapped from carburetor to fuel injected engines; including your ’84 Ford Escort. However, there were two different fuel systems available that year. If your Escort has the fuel injected engine, one item I’d check is the EGR valve or clean the throttle body.

Both systems impact fuel delivery into the engine and if they are dirty or clogged with excessive carbon build up, can starve the engine to create this type of issue. If it’s the carburetor version, the carburetor might need to be rebuilt, or may be an issue with float bowls inside the carb.

If you need assistance diagnosing the exact issue, feel free to contact one of our professional mechanics to complete an engine is stalling inspection firsthand at your own location.

Replaced battery after getting gas in the car. Is it the fuel that keeps the car from starting?
ANSWER : If the vehicle cranks over and does not start after getting fuel then the most common cause is the fuel vapor purge valve is allowing fumes to flow from the fuel tank to the engine while fueling. If purge valve is leaking then replace the purge valve. Hold the throttle wide open to clear the flooding of the engine.

My car will not start Intermittently. I purchased a new battery 2 weeks ago and yesterday the car wouldn’t start. Got a jump and
ANSWER : The issue you are having is probably due to an intermittent fault in the starter motor itself or a deficiency in the starter electrical circuit, for example a large voltage drop due to a poor ground or a high resistance connection. These issues can be readily diagnosed and resolved on a mobile basis if you request a hard starting diagnostic. If you request that diagnostic, the responding certified mechanic will get this resolved for you promptly. Based on Toyota’s Factory Service Manual, the battery should not be disconnected if the vehicle engine is running. The battery acts as a large resistive voltage sink and consequently taking the battery out of the circuit, while the alternator is still running, can create a voltage spike on the car’s electrical system which is not good for voltage sensitive components such as the engine computer. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

Why doesn’t car start after running out of gas girlfriend ran gas out of car now won’t start plenty of gas in tank doesn’t sound l
ANSWER : Fuel pumps rely on liquid gasoline for cooling. Consequently, it is recommended to keep the fuel tank at least 1/4 full to prevent the fuel pump from overheating. If the pump is run to the point of being dry, the seal on the impeller can overheat and get damaged. Even if the pump subsequently runs, as you report your does, it cannot develop enough suction to pick up fuel due to the seal damage. That is possibly what has happened in your case but it should be confirmed prior to replacing the fuel pump. In your circumstance the recommended service is fuel pump replacement but if you request that, the responding certified mechanic will do enough tests to confirm that there is no other possible explanation for the failure. There is a quick and direct way to determine if the problem is lack of fuel. Procure a can of "starter fluid" from any department store. Using the material cautiously (it is highly flammable; keep away from flames or sparks), introduce some of the fluid into the intake of the engine while you engage the starter motor. If the vehicle starts and runs briefly, then you know for sure the problem is fuel starvation of course almost undoubtedly caused by the pump failing. Fuel pump replacement can be accomplished in the field, right at your location, if you desire that service.

Will not start. Acts as if it’s not getting gas.
ANSWER : As you may know, the motor requires a very precise mixture of fuel and air in order for it to run properly. When the fuel injectors are not spraying an even, uniform pattern of fuel, this causes an imbalance in this air.fuel mixture resulting in the motor often times starving for fuel or in some cases being flooded with too much fuel. In your case, it sounds like the motor is starving for fuel as indicated by the motor running fine once fuel was sprayed directly into the intake. I would recommend having a professional from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your vehicle.

My car would not start. The ectricty is good. I put some chemical in the gas and the car start but the engine light still on.
ANSWER : Hi there. When you have an issue with start up that was "resolved" by adding a chemical in the fuel, that leads me to believe that either you have a fuel delivery problem (caused by a dirty fuel filter, clogged fuel injectors or throttle body) or an worn out ignition problem, caused by worn spark plugs. First and foremost, I would recommend AGAINST using a chemical additive to repair your vehicle (especially if it’s an ether product as this can cause a serious backfire and could create major engine damage). Instead, have one of our mobile mechanics come to your location and complete a car is hard to start inspection.

When refilling gas tank, gas overflows before tank is full.
ANSWER : The most common cause of this type of problem is when the fuel filler neck’s inner tube comes off of the neck itself. You will need to have the filler neck removed to check to see if the inner tube was knocked off from someone trying to get fuel out of tank with a siphon hose and managed to knock the hose off. This causes the tank to not get filled properly and the inner hose can get caught in the fuel sender causing wrong readings.

If you’d like to get this fixed, consider YourMechanic, as a certified technician can help you service your fuel filler neck and ensure that your fuel gauge functions normally. Good luck.