Gas Mileage
02-28-2009, 06:41 AM
#2
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 282
I used to get about 300 to a tank, but it's gotten worse. Now, maybe 280? I'm not sure why the hell I get such crappy mileage. The car runs perfect. I think maybe a sensor is marginally off, or something, but not flagging any codes. 200 is low. You're either leaking fuel or it's running way too rich. Are you sure the tank is near empty at that point? The fuel gauge sending units are notorious for being bad. What are you getting for MPG? It's a 19 gal. tank, you know? If your gauge is off, you may never be using all of it.
Last edited by SloppyGoat; 02-28-2009 at 06:44 AM.
02-28-2009, 08:37 PM
#3
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Mississippi
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19gal are u sure?? cause from E it takes only 12 or 13 dollars to fill up haha..and yes i know im running rich, but not to rich..i did some research on injectors leakage, and maybe thats possible
03-01-2009, 02:01 PM
#7
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: I'm located in the more southern local... Jackson, MS.
Posts: 129
Gas is Cheap in MS. Grounding has always had something to do with fuel economy on these cars, not mention voltage fluctuations (grounding) on the MAF and the shitty way the EFI was designed.
In the bronco world, we have what we call a "SixLitre tune up". It consists of an Accel or MSD ignition coil, hi-po wires, new plugs, and a timing bump. That will drastically increase your mpg. The next thing to consider is that these are old cars, and are often driven hard. If they get to be running rough for a prolonged period of time (say you're running rich) your catalytic converter may be clogged. Since it's a bolt on unit, you may want to look into a direct replacement from CatCo or Maremont. They are fairly inexpensive (as far as cat's go) and are a decent replacement. You may want to check your TPS and pull codes if to find out if you have any other damaged sensors. Also, bad O2 sensors have also been known to drastically kill your fuel economy.
Look into it and see what you come up with.
In the bronco world, we have what we call a "SixLitre tune up". It consists of an Accel or MSD ignition coil, hi-po wires, new plugs, and a timing bump. That will drastically increase your mpg. The next thing to consider is that these are old cars, and are often driven hard. If they get to be running rough for a prolonged period of time (say you're running rich) your catalytic converter may be clogged. Since it's a bolt on unit, you may want to look into a direct replacement from CatCo or Maremont. They are fairly inexpensive (as far as cat's go) and are a decent replacement. You may want to check your TPS and pull codes if to find out if you have any other damaged sensors. Also, bad O2 sensors have also been known to drastically kill your fuel economy.
Look into it and see what you come up with.
03-01-2009, 04:10 PM
#8
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Mississippi
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now..there is a yellow wire coming from the maf that is grounded...but dun know....anyways , what is the cost of the fix, pretty decent? its no biggy i guess, just sux to fill up twice a day ya know
03-01-2009, 04:21 PM
#9
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: I'm located in the more southern local... Jackson, MS.
Posts: 129
Not a clue what the actual wires look like, I haven't had my Z for a long time. AZ Zbum might know though http://www.az-zbum.com/
03-17-2009, 08:37 AM
#11
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Mississippi
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well iv figured it was gonna be the gauge...cause iv been riding on e for a week now and havent ran out of gas, im at 200miles i think ill let it roll to 250 then fill up and see...i dont want to break down on the way to work ha!
03-17-2009, 06:03 PM
#12
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Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 282
Put a gas can in the car and drive it until it dies, then put a few gallons in it and go fill it back up. Or, just replace the damn fuel gauge sending unit. I have mine adjusted pretty damn accurately. When it says E, it's really getting close to empty. It will even cut out around a sharp corner if I let it go too long. But there always seems to be at least 1 or 2 gallons left in it. I guess it can't suck up all the fuel, with the slosh factor.
03-18-2009, 08:16 PM
#13
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Mississippi
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did this...rode it, light came on, i was at 280 something, the little red hand started coming down where it says 1/4, decided to get gas, cant remember what i put in, but it was 30 something dollars and fill it up, premium gas...did the math, figured there was still about a 1/4 of a tank left and was getting 14.7 mpg in town, thats keeping the foot in it also...so i figure ill go by the little red hand?? dun know..but its all cool now...
07-18-2009, 11:35 PM
#14
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Minneapolis, MN
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I finally got an accurate measurement on mine. I'm getting 17MPG average. Still nowhere near the 19-22 MPG I've heard others say they get. I'm not sure I believe them, unless they drive like grannies. Either that, or the 87 and up started dumping more fuel. There are tons of 87-89 gas mileage complaints threads on most of the Z forums. It ain't just me! I do have a heavy foot, but AZBum has informed me in the past, that he romps on his all the time and still gets like 22 MPG or so.
What are the grounding issues that can cause bad mileage? What can I check and ground better?
I would be happy to even get 19-20 MPG.
What are the grounding issues that can cause bad mileage? What can I check and ground better?
I would be happy to even get 19-20 MPG.
Last edited by SloppyGoat; 07-18-2009 at 11:41 PM.
07-19-2009, 09:05 AM
#15
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Location: Mississippi
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well i figured out its my sending unit has went...no big deal, so i got it down good.. im getting any where around 22-26 mpg on the interstate and around 17-20 in town..witch is damn good compared to what my Xploder used to get..i got 13-15 in town and 17-20 on the interstate..but my xplore was built for mainly drag and sucked fuel like a v8...
07-23-2009, 02:49 PM
#17
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: gulfcoast mississsippi
Posts: 90
I have a 85 turbo I get 18 in town and 25 to 26 on the HWY, it seems it was giving me better milieage until I did the injector recal. I drive it in town like every body else on the HWY I do 75 to 90 it all depends what music is on LOL. I do tune ups on regular basis, I put injector cleaner every time before an oil change .
07-23-2009, 07:47 PM
#20
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Location: Minneapolis, MN
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I have a 85 turbo I get 18 in town and 25 to 26 on the HWY, it seems it was giving me better milieage until I did the injector recal. I drive it in town like every body else on the HWY I do 75 to 90 it all depends what music is on LOL. I do tune ups on regular basis, I put injector cleaner every time before an oil change .
But then, I swear this car has more like 200HP at the wheels. The guy in the EVO I smoked would also probably say that. 
The look on his face said it all. LOL
Last edited by SloppyGoat; 07-23-2009 at 07:55 PM.
07-29-2009, 01:12 PM
#21
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Mississippi
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I noticed a difference after I did that, too. I may change the wiring back to the stock configuration. Although, I can't complain about the way it runs, though. I don't think I ever get anything over 19 or 20, even on the HWY. I may just need a full tune up again. It's been awhile. Next time I change the T-belt, I'm going to replace the CHTS. I believe I get the worst mileage when it's just idling.
I don't get anywhere near that. I get closer to 300 miles per tank. But then, I swear this car has more like 200HP at the wheels. The guy in the EVO I smoked would also probably say that. The look on his face said it all. LOL
I don't get anywhere near that. I get closer to 300 miles per tank.
But then, I swear this car has more like 200HP at the wheels. The guy in the EVO I smoked would also probably say that. The look on his face said it all. LOLwhat kinda of evo ??
09-12-2009, 08:35 AM
#24
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: corsicana, TX
Posts: 126
yah know yah mileage is determined by you alot. if yah are in high rpms all the time yah mileage is gonna suck. shift earlier and don't drive like a bat outta hell all the time if yah do. like i said, i don't know how yah drive, this is hypothetically.
09-13-2009, 01:29 PM
#25
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Location: Mississippi
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oh yeah...beleive it or not and may not be to safe, i shift from first to third half the time, and shift about 2gs unless i need to pick it up a little.. i hate looking like an old fart
