Sudden Lousy Fuel Mileage Problems Summary ?

[stilbo]

I've done a bunch of searching on the boards re: bad fuel mileage but there is a hodge podge of O2 sensors, MAF's, Coolant Temp problems, air cleaners etc, etc, etc,

It's tough to filter through all the info and anectdotes and also really frustrating when the Explorer is getting lousy gas mileage but isn't throwing any OBD I or OBD II codes.

It would be very interesting if some one were to set up a survey on this board that deals only with bad mileage and fixes that were needed and actually worked. A very simple summary via % graphs.

We would probably have FoMoCo engineering peeking at this.

For right now, what's the most prevalent malfunction that would get me only 14 mpg on a '96 Limited w/ 4.0 OHV? It isn't showing any codes.
Has 131,000 miles on it.

See the "diesel" questionaire for reference to what I was talking about re: survey.

 

[jayhawkexplorer]

Malfunction?? I'm happy when I get 14 MPG out of a tank of gas when its all city driving. On a mixed driving tank, I can get to around 300 which is 15 MPG. What were you getting before that 14 is bad??

 

[melsner]

I normally get 19.5 mpg on my 94 w/128k. When my thermostat started failing last month, my mileage dropped to the 17s. It failed in the closed position after about two tanks at the lower mpg. I am now back up to the 19s.