cd45 Posted April 13, 2005 Share Posted April 13, 2005 Okay, I tuned up the Soob, plugs (NGK), wires (7mm silicon), new disty cap and rotor, new fuel filter, new exhaust, new fuel pump. Mileage still at 21-22 MPG. I am getting better mileage with my Explorer. I looked for the "other" fuel filter by the firewall, did not find it. Old fuel pump was leaking, entire area was soaked. Whoever put that one in there, really did a good rig job on it. The new one was made for my car and went on in less than 10 minutes, replaced the lines while I was there. Had the exhaust fixed, the cat was totally clogged, replaced with straight pipe, both the front and rear are gone, sounds pretty good. Now, why isn't my mileage getting any better? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erik litchy Posted April 13, 2005 Share Posted April 13, 2005 hows the power now? does it feel realy sluggish? is the engine running very smoothly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cd45 Posted April 14, 2005 Author Share Posted April 14, 2005 It runs a little smoother than before. It seems to have enough power. I have owned other small engine cars, and they seem to be about the same. I just can't figure out the mileage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All_talk Posted April 14, 2005 Share Posted April 14, 2005 What car? engine? Trans? I have the original EPA window sticker from my '87 GL wagon with a carbed EA82 and the 3AT, says 22mpg hwy... thats all they ever got and mine will get that with easy freeway driving (below 70mph). Now if its a FI engine or a manual trans you should do better. Gary P.S. Actually, My wagon got around 24mpg before I rebuilt the carb but I was way lean and would detonate on the hills. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karinvail Posted April 14, 2005 Share Posted April 14, 2005 What car? engine? Trans? I have the original EPA window sticker from my '87 GL wagon with a carbed EA82 and the 3AT, says 22mpg hwy. That's what I'm getting with my 5-speed EA82 (22-23MPG, mixed hiway/town) and I am rather dissapointed. I am a very ''docile'' driver most of the time too. My 4-speed EA81's I had for the past 10 years would give me nearly 28-30MPG regularly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erik litchy Posted April 14, 2005 Share Posted April 14, 2005 what did you set the timing at? that can make a big diffrence. also have you rebuilt the carb recently? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KStretch55 Posted April 14, 2005 Share Posted April 14, 2005 Wow! I don't feel too bad. My '92 SPFI, AT Wagon with 175K is doing pretty well at 26 mpg mixed between highway and town then. Wooo hooo!! Even if it does sound like there's 4 li'l ol' ladies peddling sewing machines under the hood!! LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorganM Posted April 14, 2005 Share Posted April 14, 2005 I'd start trouble shooting the carb next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cd45 Posted April 15, 2005 Author Share Posted April 15, 2005 I put the carb on last May. It was bought new/rebuilt from O'reilly's. I have adjusted the jet and it doesn't help the mileage. I also have a vacuum leak that I cannot find, and it is pissing me off. The car is a 1987 GL, 5man, d/r, It really runs a lot better now, just can't get the mileage thing nailed down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueTrain Posted April 15, 2005 Share Posted April 15, 2005 did you ever replace the O2 sensor. those can suck your mpg's. out here in montucky we have the winter blend (10% ethanol) gas right now, and that drops me down to about 23-25mpg mixed driving. have you changed the gear oil recently? a good gear oil can give you an extra 1-2mpg's if your other stuff was old and wasted.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KStretch55 Posted April 15, 2005 Share Posted April 15, 2005 A couple of tricks you can use to find vacuum leaks: 1. A piece of heater hose or garden hose about 2 feet long. With the engine running, hold one end against your ear and scan around the engine with the other. It helps isolate the sounds. Listen for hissing. 2. A squirt bottle full of soapy water. When you find a hiss, but can't quite isolate it further. Start squirting individual connections and mating surfaces in the area. Look for places where the bubbles are sucked in and listen for the engine to falter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamtheq Posted April 15, 2005 Share Posted April 15, 2005 As another point of referrence, my 87 GL Sedan, 3AT, SPFI got 25 MPG no matter how hard I flogged it. I couldn't get lower than 25 MPG. I got 32 on the highway once. My average was in the 25 to 27 MPG range in mixed driving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WoodsWagon Posted April 16, 2005 Share Posted April 16, 2005 Another way to search for vacuum leaks is by wafting propane or butane with an unlit torch over the hoses and gasket locations. The propane will richen up the mix and the engine will perk up for a a moment. Not for the squeemish about fires though, but I've had good luck with it. DO NOT Use an OXY ACETALYNE TORCH FOR THIS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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