Hi All. Don't know if these two are related but I could use some insight. A few months ago the gas milage on my '02 Sport Trac RWD dropped significantly. Used to get 17/24 if I'd drive like grandpa Moses but now it's like 13/17. Have 106k on it. Changed the plugs and wires around 90k. Last week starting became really drawn out, like 5 full seconds or more. It seems to run perfectly normal otherwise. No CEL to indicate any problems. Not really sure where to start. What's the life of a cat converter? Any reason to suspect them? Was thinking of pulling the throttle body to see if it's gunked up but I did that last summer and cleaned it. Any help is appreciated.

 

check fuel pressure. Should be around 50# when running & hold pressure at 50# when engine is off.

 

Interesting. I would have thought there would be adverse effects at all ranges, especially at high speeds if there was a filter issue. Good call though. I'm way overdue for a fuel filter.

 

He didn't say filter, he said fuel pressure.

 

Yes, he did say pressure and I missed that since I was already reading some information on-line about clogged filters. Do the scan tools that parts places do for you free give the pressure readout? What about vacuum? Truck seems to be running okay and actually the gas mileage seems to be up a bit since the last fill. Still have to get to the filter. Starting has been a bit better too but still not right.