What should my mpg be?
#31
07-11-2011, 04:54 PM
It's more likely that one or both of your up-pipes may be leaking and that is hurting your mileage. Look for soot on the pipes themselves where they enter the collector at the back of the turbo. Check the firewall pad also, since it's shiny and reflective it will be easy to see any soot stains.
Another commonly overlooked item are the bolts for the compressor housing. That will hurt your mileage as well. Check out page 7 on the attached file and you will see the bolts I am talking about. I have seen several trucks with missing bolts. My wife's truck was missing ALL 4 bolts when I first brought it home!
There was black soot everywhere...(Tip: If you do find that you are missing a bolt or two....use a small pipe cleaning brush and some penetrating spray to clean out the threads in the turbo housing. The new bolts have special threads and take some effort to turn so you need to make sure the threads are clean before screwing in the replacement bolts.)
I keep telling myself that I am going to make a leak detector for the exhaust side of the system but I haven't gotten round to doing it yet. If I do, then I'll post a write up with the necessary parts. It would be a good way to check for leaking up-pipes and turbo bolts...
#32
07-11-2011, 05:40 PM
I am one of those people that's not sold on the in-tank mods as being 100% required. I have two personal 7.3 trucks and about 18 at work...all with the original pre-pump fuel system intact. As far as I know, none of our trucks have had any problem with air in fuel. I've checked the return on both of my personal trucks (prior to installing the FRx system) and there wasn't any noticeable air in the fuel. I suspect the air in fuel issue occurs if the in-tank pickup gets clogged. Then it's possible for the special fuel line fitting ahead of the pump to allow air into the system. If there isn't any problem in the tank, then there shouldn't be any air in the system. Just one of my theories though...
It if were me, I'd spend the money on a fuel pressure gauge before looking for problems in the tank. Exception being if your truck hasn't been used on a regular basis and has been known to sit for extended periods of time between uses. If so, then dropping the tank to check the screens is probably a good idea.
It if were me, I'd spend the money on a fuel pressure gauge before looking for problems in the tank. Exception being if your truck hasn't been used on a regular basis and has been known to sit for extended periods of time between uses. If so, then dropping the tank to check the screens is probably a good idea.
#33
07-11-2011, 06:16 PM
Greg, I'm not saying required....but...I have seen many pickups clogged and I have seen others where there was air being put into the fuel system upstream from the pickup and being dumped at the intake foot. Just seems like an easy to do maintenance/mod AND inexpensive. Good point on checking the up-pipes...
In case you are curious...I was told the reason for the mixing chamber was to help minimize possible fuel gelling in cold weather. Not too sure how effective that system is though....seems like there would be a better way to solve that problem such as a regulated return like IH has. ???
#35
07-11-2011, 06:38 PM
I agree Neal, clogged screens in the mixing chamber is a known issue...just not sure how common it is(as a percentage). Is dropping the tank and performing the in-tank mods pretty easy? I've never done it myself so I don't really know. I do have two in-tank kits in my garage but haven't done the mod yet because I don't appear to be having any fuel flow issues (knock on wood...). The kits I purchased were about $45 each but I've also seen them on other sites for around $150 as well. They look to have the same basic parts so I'm not too sure what the price difference is all about.
In case you are curious...I was told the reason for the mixing chamber was to help minimize possible fuel gelling in cold weather. Not too sure how effective that system is though....seems like there would be a better way to solve that problem such as a regulated return like IH has. ???
In case you are curious...I was told the reason for the mixing chamber was to help minimize possible fuel gelling in cold weather. Not too sure how effective that system is though....seems like there would be a better way to solve that problem such as a regulated return like IH has. ???
#37
07-11-2011, 08:41 PM
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#38
07-12-2011, 02:59 AM
iv got a 2002 4x4 with a 2001 motor runnin on 265/75/16's it has some exaust dunn 3 1/2 in to magnaflow muffler then 4in out no tuner no more mods just keeping my RPM'S below 2000 and i get 16 in town babying it and 18-20 on hwy driving 70, 175,000 miles daily driver
Last edited by slim613; 07-12-2011 at 04:12 AM. Reason: adding 4x4, miles
#39
07-12-2011, 06:21 AM
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#42
07-13-2011, 01:14 AM
mines about 16 mix and i havent pulled my trailer since i got my newer truck but i will post and let yall know wat im getting towing its a aluminum 25ft horse trailer i haul fully loaded with tires im sypost to have my cdl with it i just aint got around too it being a student in diesel mechenic
#43
07-14-2011, 08:31 AM
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#44
07-14-2011, 08:41 AM
If you are going with a tuner, there are a few good ones and a few that are....junk. One of the best is DP-Tuner (a site sponsor). If it was me, I'd wait on the tuner and do the suggestions given earlier...make sure the truck is running as well as it can and get all the maintenance up-to-date.
#45
07-14-2011, 08:49 AM
mines about 16 mix and i havent pulled my trailer since i got my newer truck but i will post and let yall know wat im getting towing its a aluminum 25ft horse trailer i haul fully loaded with tires im sypost to have my cdl with it i just aint got around too it being a student in diesel mechenic
You need a Class A CDL in Texas to pull a 25' horse trailer Slim...really?