Gas mileage

[BigRed]

Hey guys and gals. I'm new to this board so if this doesn't post right I'll hopefully perfect the posting soon. My question is strictly out of curiosity as to how other explorer owners find their fuel consumption. I have a 94 XLT with 154,000kms, stock everything except for a cat back system, magnaflow muffler with a 2.25" pipe leading into a RActive tailpipe. I recently put in bosch platinum plugs gapped at .054. I have noticed that my fuel consumption has gone up a bit. I currently get approximately 350-400km's out of a full tank(regular unleaded). This being almost strictly highway driving on cruise at about 115k/hr. Does this mileage seem normal or should I be doing better than this. I heard about resetting your computer to let it adjust for the new plugs and also I read on this board that taking somthing out of the airbox will help the engine breathe a lot better. Any imput would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[PLRBEAR]

I've got a 95 Eddie Bauer 4x4 4-door w/197,000kms. It's got the K&N FIPK, NGK G-Power plugs gapped to 0.54, Borg-Warn 8mm plug wires, and a 3.73 LSD. I get around 600kms driving in the city only (16.5mpg city average). I don't really know if the gas tank size of your vehicle and mine are the same, but i believe they are since they're both 4 door versions.
What kind of gear ratio do you have? Have you changed your trans, engine & diff. fluids as per recommended interval? How old are the plug wires? Air filter? Fuel filter? PCV valve? Nevertheless, there are many things to consider, so we need more information on what you might want to try out.

 

[BigRed]

Thanks for the quick response, looks like I posted correctly. I bought the truck in December with 142,000km(now has 153,000). I have a new air filter(paper Canadian Tire brand) I have done two oil changes(5w30). Haven't touched the plug wires yet or dif fluid. Trans fluid is still the same. The guys at Quaker State told me that the diff fluid needs changing. PCV valve I haven't touched. I just had the radius arm bushings changed and put in Monroe Sensatrac shocks. My from bearings are on their way out, I thought it was the ball joints however now confirmed it is the bearings. The best tank I ever ran was regular unleaded and got 420kms. I thought this seemed a little high and if your getting 600kms city driving something must be seriously wrong for me to be getting only 400km. I look forward to your reply. Thanks

 

[BigRed]

Oops, sorry I forgot a couple things. My gears are 3.73 and my trans fluid does need changing. My tank holds 72 litres.
Thanks

 

[PLRBEAR]

When i bought my truck, i was getting about 15mpg. To get 16.5mpg, i did the following:

1) Changed trans. fluid & filter
2) Changed diff. fluids
3) Changed plugs and wires
4) Changed PCV valve

This may or may not work out for you, since there are differences between your truck and mine. If i'm not mistaken, my 95 takesapprox. 80 litres. I don't use any synthetics at all. 600kms for me is on a good day. I get 550kms on average. The most recent improvement that i made came from the plugs. I took the Motorcraft plugs out and found a white residue on the tips. Furthermore, the last moron that changed the plugs didn't gap them correctly. It was set at 0.60!!
At today's gas prices, every little bit counts. I keep my truck maintained in tip-top condition....i'm an auto freak...LOL!
Tackle the changes one by one to see the effects, and check to see if the above items need changing at all before continuing. Good luck.

 

[BigRed]

Once I change the PCV valve and wires (I'm also considering cleaning the MAF sensor) should I reset the computer by unplugging the battery?

 

[PLRBEAR]

Yes, whenever you mod something (exhaust for eg.) or replace something, you should reset the computer......that's what i do. My truck used to shudder slightly at stops and in neutral after i installed the K&N FIPK. After resetting the computer, the occasional shuddering lessened, but was still there. After replacing my plugs with the correct gap, and resetting the computer....it was all gone. Reset it when you think the computer needs to relearn.

 

[BigRed]

Very good suggestions. I really appreciate the advice. I reset my computer tonight so lets see how that goes. By the way, what is a K&N FIPK? Is it just a regular K&N filter that drops in to the stock housing or is it something of a modified filter and housing? Just wondering......Thanks

 

[PLRBEAR]

FIPK stands for Fuel Injection Performance Kit. It's an entire replacement kit which contains a big conical K&N filter, brackets etc. and an adaptor plate. The MAS is removed from the factory airbox and is bolted onto the adaptor plate so it will fit into the stock intake tract. The conical filter is then attached to the MAS via another adaptor. It's almost similar to the KKM kit. I've noticed better throttle response with the FIPK than stock, and a more usable high-end. There's also the sound factor, because when you stomp on the gas, the truck sounds like a V8 growling down the street...hehe.
The filter (as with all K&N filters) is guaranteed for 100,000,000miles and can be cleaned and "recharged" via a filter cleaning and recharger kit included in the FIPK. If you have any install questions about this kit, feel free to ask. I had to improvise when installing the FIPK because of space problems. I'll go into detail if you're going to go that route.


Amos

 

[01EB5.0]

bigred,
Welcome to the board! i just wanted to chime in saying that when you change your fluids, i would highly recommend synthetic fluids in everything. Synthetic fluids will not get really thick when cold as will petrolium oil. Since you live in Canada this means you would get increased gas milage (especially in winter), less wear upon startup, and your truck won't need much "warm up" time in the morning. I have synthetic in my engine, transmission and transfercase. i am putting in synthetic gear lube this summer in both axles.
If you'd like more info. let me know!
-Travis

 

[espnfreak]

t dawg, next time we work on the trucks can we get some synthetic in mine? i know synthetic oil will be easy but what about the transfer case and axles?

 

[BigRed]

I like to try and do things myself. This way I learn. Whenever I'm at my buddy's Muffler shop I always watch to see how they do things and try to learn. Engine Oil and Tranny fluid is pretty straight forward however being my first 4x4 I'd like to know how to do the transfer case and DIff's. So far this is my first thread and I must say you guys are helpful and very knowledgeable!!! I can't get over the responses I've been getting. I hope sometime soon I'll be able to help a rookie such as myself.
Thanks Again