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Bad fuel economy

flyguy

Explorer Addict
Joined
October 17, 1999
Messages
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City, State
Gilbert, AZ
Year, Model & Trim Level
'07 XLT V8
Ive been reading people saying they get in the high teen's in miles/gallon... Im only getting about 13 to 12. What could be the problem? I cleaned my mass air... my air filter is resonably clean, as is my TB... ive heard it could be an 02 sensor though. How would I know or check that? Any other suggestions?

Nick
 



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The fuel pressure regulator has been a common culprit for bad gas milage. Has you noticed a change in the smell of your exaust? Rotten egg smell a sign of running rich. Will also cause your O2 sensors to go haywire.
 






Cool. should I just pick that up at any autoshop or should I get an OEM part or what? Never done that so how do I do it?! :)

Nick
 






I would definately get a Fuel Pressure Regulator. It helped me out a lot. You could just go to an autoparts store and pay less ($80), but maybe wait a day to get it, or go to the dealer, they should have it in stock and it will be about $130. There are 2 different types of regulators, and one isn't on certain years and not on other years, it seems to me that they are all just different, don't ask me why. I went to Auto Zone or somethin and they had one in stock and it wasn't the one I had to it helps if they have at least one of them in stock so you can tell if it's the right one or not. I am pretty sure they can order both of them and then you can buy the one that fits yours.

Location:
In case you don't know what it looks like or where its at, I will try to tell you where it's at. If you're right in front of the car with the hood open, look at the intake manifold. There are like 3 curves that bend down to the left side. Look right at the base of the one closest to you, there should be something bolted right to it, and there should be a fuel line (has a braided steel covering on it) going to the top of it, that is your regulator. I think there are 2 bolts that mount it , one of them is easy to get, the other isn't so easy. Be sure you releive the pressure in the fuel system before you take off anything on there. To do this take off the passenger side kick panel, and then peel back the carpet. Right where the passenger's feet would be, maybe a little higher up is a little electrical connector, just unplug the thing and then tyry to start your car and it shouldn't start, then it's safe to work on. To reach the two bolts that bolt the regulator to the manifold/fuel rail I had to take off the upper raditor hose, you have to drain some of the coolant out of the radiator. If you need to know how just aks I'll tell you if you need to know. The whole thing, including draining the radiator took me about 1 hour and 30 minutes, and to put the new one only took me about 30 minutes or so. Hope that helped you out.
 






NOOOOOOOO!!!! Not the radiator! heh. I just drained and put in a new thermostat (my mechanic put a 95 degree one in!) and I spent forever trying to find all the leaks I left behind. hehehe. Oh well. I guess I gotta do it. I went to my ford dealer and it was like $139 and not in stock... so I tried http://www.fordpartsnetwork.com and they can get me the oem part for around $85. They are cheap. every part Ive asked for a quote for has been much cheaper. Door panels, break lights... anyways. Ill be ordering the part this weekend. Ill post again when I install the part. Also, What do you think about the MAS air sensor or the throttle body being the culprit? Could the sensor be bad? If it is, can just the sensor be replaced (how much?) or does the whole body need to be replaced. Also, what do I clean in the throttle body? I just sprayed some break cleaner in there but didnt know what else to clean. :) Im in the market for a larger throttle body and MAS air... so wanted to compare the costs of replaceing sensors to replacing the whole unit. When you buy a new MAS air, does it come with a new sensor? Hmmm.. oh! another thing. O2 sensors. Where are they and how do I check them?

Nick
 






You know what? I just reread the posts... and I dont seem to have a bad smell coming from the exhaust... I also heard the fuel pressure regualtor will cause the check engine light to go off. So... it its not my regualor, what else can I check? This is driving me nuts!

nick
 






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