bad fuel mileage..solved?

drick · 09-27-1999, 11:18 PM

Well, my bad fuel mileage i finally got tired of it and took it in the shop. They ran some tests and found out it was the throttle sensor. So they ordered it and its costing me 37.80$ . Hopefully this will fix the problem now. Just thought I let all of you know who thought it would be dirty fuel injectors or fuel filter....

tech1 · 09-28-1999, 07:42 AM

What year-motor was your Explorer?

drick · 09-28-1999, 08:04 AM

it is a 92 xlt

scott · 09-28-1999, 08:08 AM

What did they say was wrong with it, reading too high or what? How big of a difference did it make?

drick · 09-28-1999, 05:09 PM

all they said is i had a bad one, i went from 350-380 miles a tank to 275 a tank

Bart4man · 09-29-1999, 10:22 AM

Let me know what the results are. I am getting about 220-230 on a tank, mostly town driving. I just had the throttle body cleaned and fuel filter replaced.

slow-demon · 09-30-1999, 02:43 AM

I'd check your thermostat also. The temp gauge should read around the middle with the engine warmed up. If it reads at the low end you probably have a stuck open thermostat. If the engine doesn't get to normal operating temperatures the computer cannot calibrate the fuel/air mixtures correctly. The engine computer uses a temp sensor to till it how hot it is. I could explain more,but it'd take forever. Oh yeah a bad throttle postion sensor usually causes a hesitation problem because the engine computer doesn't know the throttle position.

drick · 09-30-1999, 07:34 AM

The thermostat was the first thing we placed it wasn't it at all. THey put it on a computer and the throttle sensor was the faulty part...

S.Matsushige · 10-08-1999, 02:33 PM

drick-Did replacing the throttle sensor make a difference? Can you give us an update on your mileage-THANKS, much appreiciated.

DonL · 04-22-2000, 10:02 AM

My temp gage had been reading low for quite a long time accompanied by an occasional CHECK ENGINE light after climbing up to about 4,000 feet. I finally put 2 and 2 together and thought that I had a stuck open thermostat which I replaced. This fixed the gage problem, but now my Average fuel mileage on the computer dropped from 16.5 to about 15.0. I would have thought the mileage would have gone up. Any ideas?

------------------
DonL
'95 Eddie Bauer

[This message has been edited by DonL (edited 04-22-2000).]

Ira · 04-22-2000, 02:15 PM

DonL,

Try resetting your computer by disconnecting a battery terminal for about 10 minutes. I would say that probably if this has been going on for a while, the computer learned it and now it needs to relearn the proper program.

------------------
Ira
91 XLT 4x4

I used to be schizophrenic, but we're OK now...No we aren't...Yes we are... shut up.

napnetdot · 04-23-2000, 05:46 PM

i was getting 200 - 220 miles in town untill my Fuel Pressure Regulator broke. After getting that replaced im getting close to 300. i also replaced o2, maf and tps. with gas as expensive as it is in florida its worth it.

------------------
Joel McAllister
http://www.napnet.com/projects/truck/default.asp

92 XLT Ford Explorer 4 Door, V6 4.0 2WD Pushrod

DonL · 04-24-2000, 12:09 AM

Thanks for the tip IRA,

I reset my computer yesterday. I'm glad I did because the battery terminals were in need of some cleaning up with baking soda and a wire brush. Will let you know how the mileage turns out.

------------------
DonL
'95 Eddie Bauer

DonL · 06-05-2000, 01:29 PM

Well, after resetting the computer I'm still only getting around 15 MPG on the readout. Replaced the Air Filter a few weeks ago, and still no change. The only things I did before I noticed the change, was to put the new tires on, and replace the thermostat.

Mainfraim · 06-05-2000, 11:23 PM

I get about 200 miles every tank around town. The only time I don't get that is when we go on long trips and then I get about 250. I know it's bad, but I have no idea what to do to fix it. What should I have checked out?

Goober · 06-08-2000, 09:26 AM

I'm not sure why the poor gas mileage, but I usually get about 17mpg or 330 to a tank. I have learned to stop being a rabbit and trying to beat everyone 'off-the line'. I reguarly run fuel injector cleaner through the system about every 6 months. Maybe it helps, maybe not, but seeing what others are getting, I'll stick to what I'm doing.

**Maniak** · 06-08-2000, 09:55 AM

We were getting 14mpg on our 92 explorer (city or highway).. We are now getting 16ish on the highway..

The fix... drive 75-80mph instead of 85-90ish... 80mph is 2500rpms or so.. 90ish is 3000rpms..

We are 4.10 gears with 32" tires.. and it seems even in OD (with the a4ld) spins too fast to keep up with the faster traffic on the Arizona Freeways..

b · 06-08-2000, 11:57 AM

To answer IMHO a couple of questions here:

The new tires, depending on the tread (how aggressive etc...) might determine the poor gas milage, not just the other 'repairs' to look at with poor fuel economy.

And second, the computer relearns after 20-40 starts automatically if you don't unhook the battery, this should 'fix' itself after that time.

Lastly, the fuel pressure regulator may warrant some checking into. They tend to go bad.

06-05-2000, 01:29 PM	#14
DonL Wannabe Elite Explorer Join Date: Apr 2000 Posts: 17 Vehicle Specs	Well, after resetting the computer I'm still only getting around 15 MPG on the readout. Replaced the Air Filter a few weeks ago, and still no change. The only things I did before I noticed the change, was to put the new tires on, and replace the thermostat. __________________ DonL '95 Eddie Bauer

06-05-2000, 11:23 PM	#15
Mainfraim Wannabe Elite Explorer Los Angeles, California '94 Eddie Bauer Join Date: Jan 2000 Posts: 293 Vehicle Specs	I get about 200 miles every tank around town. The only time I don't get that is when we go on long trips and then I get about 250. I know it's bad, but I have no idea what to do to fix it. What should I have checked out? __________________ scott swanson -'94 Explorer EB gone -'95 F150 EB -'02 Lexus RX300 -'02 MINI Cooper S ...mainfraim...

06-08-2000, 09:26 AM	#16
Goober Wannabe Elite Explorer Lexington, SC '91XLT4x4 Join Date: May 2000 Posts: 1,407 Vehicle Specs	I'm not sure why the poor gas mileage, but I usually get about 17mpg or 330 to a tank. I have learned to stop being a rabbit and trying to beat everyone 'off-the line'. I reguarly run fuel injector cleaner through the system about every 6 months. Maybe it helps, maybe not, but seeing what others are getting, I'll stick to what I'm doing. __________________ Jeff Nelson, Lexington, SC "I am" is reportedly the shortest sentence in the English language. Could it be that "I do" is the longest sentence?-G.Carlin "Goober... It's Not Just a Name, It's a Way of Life"

06-08-2000, 09:55 AM	#17
Maniak Moderator-Stock 91-94 Vail, Arizona 1992 XLT 4x4 Join Date: Feb 1999 Posts: 10,716 Vehicle Specs	We were getting 14mpg on our 92 explorer (city or highway).. We are now getting 16ish on the highway.. The fix... drive 75-80mph instead of 85-90ish... 80mph is 2500rpms or so.. 90ish is 3000rpms.. We are 4.10 gears with 32" tires.. and it seems even in OD (with the a4ld) spins too fast to keep up with the faster traffic on the Arizona Freeways.. __________________ Click HERE to see our Explorer Specs

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09-27-1999, 11:18 PM	#1
drick Wannabe Elite Explorer Join Date: Aug 1999 Posts: 15 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Well, my bad fuel mileage i finally got tired of it and took it in the shop. They ran some tests and found out it was the throttle sensor. So they ordered it and its costing me 37.80$ . Hopefully this will fix the problem now. Just thought I let all of you know who thought it would be dirty fuel injectors or fuel filter....

09-28-1999, 07:42 AM	#2
tech1 Wannabe Elite Explorer Join Date: Mar 1999 Posts: 12 Vehicle Specs	What year-motor was your Explorer?

09-28-1999, 08:04 AM	#3
drick Wannabe Elite Explorer Join Date: Aug 1999 Posts: 15 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	it is a 92 xlt

09-28-1999, 08:08 AM	#4
scott Wannabe Elite Explorer Join Date: Feb 1999 Posts: 142 Vehicle Specs	What did they say was wrong with it, reading too high or what? How big of a difference did it make?

09-28-1999, 05:09 PM	#5
drick Wannabe Elite Explorer Join Date: Aug 1999 Posts: 15 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	all they said is i had a bad one, i went from 350-380 miles a tank to 275 a tank

09-29-1999, 10:22 AM	#6
Bart4man Wannabe Elite Explorer Mount Joy, PA '91 Eddie Join Date: Jun 1999 Posts: 12 Vehicle Specs	Let me know what the results are. I am getting about 220-230 on a tank, mostly town driving. I just had the throttle body cleaned and fuel filter replaced.

09-30-1999, 02:43 AM	#7
slow-demon Wannabe Elite Explorer Hawaii '91 xl sport Join Date: Sep 1999 Posts: 246 Vehicle Specs	I'd check your thermostat also. The temp gauge should read around the middle with the engine warmed up. If it reads at the low end you probably have a stuck open thermostat. If the engine doesn't get to normal operating temperatures the computer cannot calibrate the fuel/air mixtures correctly. The engine computer uses a temp sensor to till it how hot it is. I could explain more,but it'd take forever. Oh yeah a bad throttle postion sensor usually causes a hesitation problem because the engine computer doesn't know the throttle position.

09-30-1999, 07:34 AM	#8
drick Wannabe Elite Explorer Join Date: Aug 1999 Posts: 15 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	The thermostat was the first thing we placed it wasn't it at all. THey put it on a computer and the throttle sensor was the faulty part...

10-08-1999, 02:33 PM	#9
S.Matsushige Wannabe Elite Explorer Kapolei, Hawaii 1991 XLT Join Date: Feb 1999 Posts: 332 Vehicle Specs	drick-Did replacing the throttle sensor make a difference? Can you give us an update on your mileage-THANKS, much appreiciated.

04-22-2000, 10:02 AM	#10
DonL Wannabe Elite Explorer Join Date: Apr 2000 Posts: 17 Vehicle Specs	My temp gage had been reading low for quite a long time accompanied by an occasional CHECK ENGINE light after climbing up to about 4,000 feet. I finally put 2 and 2 together and thought that I had a stuck open thermostat which I replaced. This fixed the gage problem, but now my Average fuel mileage on the computer dropped from 16.5 to about 15.0. I would have thought the mileage would have gone up. Any ideas? ------------------ DonL '95 Eddie Bauer [This message has been edited by DonL (edited 04-22-2000).]

04-22-2000, 02:15 PM	#11
Ira Wannabe Elite Explorer Northeast Tennessee 91 XLT 4x4 Join Date: Oct 1999 Posts: 368 Vehicle Specs	DonL, Try resetting your computer by disconnecting a battery terminal for about 10 minutes. I would say that probably if this has been going on for a while, the computer learned it and now it needs to relearn the proper program. ------------------ Ira 91 XLT 4x4 I used to be schizophrenic, but we're OK now...No we aren't...Yes we are... shut up.

04-23-2000, 05:46 PM	#12
napnetdot Wannabe Elite Explorer Join Date: Apr 2000 Posts: 22 Vehicle Specs	i was getting 200 - 220 miles in town untill my Fuel Pressure Regulator broke. After getting that replaced im getting close to 300. i also replaced o2, maf and tps. with gas as expensive as it is in florida its worth it. ------------------ Joel McAllister http://www.napnet.com/projects/truck/default.asp 92 XLT Ford Explorer 4 Door, V6 4.0 2WD Pushrod

04-24-2000, 12:09 AM	#13
DonL Wannabe Elite Explorer Join Date: Apr 2000 Posts: 17 Vehicle Specs	Thanks for the tip IRA, I reset my computer yesterday. I'm glad I did because the battery terminals were in need of some cleaning up with baking soda and a wire brush. Will let you know how the mileage turns out. ------------------ DonL '95 Eddie Bauer

06-08-2000, 11:57 AM	#18
b Wannabe Elite Explorer Portland, OR '95 XLT Join Date: Jul 1999 Posts: 69 Vehicle Specs	To answer IMHO a couple of questions here: The new tires, depending on the tread (how aggressive etc...) might determine the poor gas milage, not just the other 'repairs' to look at with poor fuel economy. And second, the computer relearns after 20-40 starts automatically if you don't unhook the battery, this should 'fix' itself after that time. Lastly, the fuel pressure regulator may warrant some checking into. They tend to go bad.