HELP MPG HELP
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,195
Likes: 6
From: Medford Oregon
Cleaning the cooling system is not going to help with MPG much, although it's a good thing to do. A good working thermostat will because these diesels like heat and run much more efficiently when at the proper operating temperature. Where is the coolant temp needle on the gauge in the dash when truck is warmed up? It should be somewhere in the middle of "N O R M A L", usually between the "O R" with a stock stat and between the "R M" with a higher temperature stat. An old thermostat tends to stick open a bit not allowing the engine temperature to get high enough, ever, unless you are working the engine hard.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,250
Likes: 7,678
From: Chino Valley, Arizona
clean or dirty cooling system will not effect mileage. I agree it needs flushed and serviced.
dish washer detergent is all I use for cleaning cooling systems! I maintain 50 + powerstroke trucks and never had a problem, just rinse it good.
stuck thermostat will. get a new one from ford. you said it never gets to operating temp! change it with ford part.
banks chip will not cut mileage in half.
"watered down diesel" (diesel that is #1 or kerosene will lower mileage) (about 10%) I ran jet A (kerosene) for about 5 years not a problem mileage dropped by 10%
shimming the injectors will not bring back 50% mileage loss.
dish washer detergent is all I use for cleaning cooling systems! I maintain 50 + powerstroke trucks and never had a problem, just rinse it good.
stuck thermostat will. get a new one from ford. you said it never gets to operating temp! change it with ford part.
banks chip will not cut mileage in half.
"watered down diesel" (diesel that is #1 or kerosene will lower mileage) (about 10%) I ran jet A (kerosene) for about 5 years not a problem mileage dropped by 10%
shimming the injectors will not bring back 50% mileage loss.
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: CUERNAVACA
THANKS HELIFIXER, GLAD you concur with me. many problems after the earthquake. i was off the grid NOW i cant find the grid!!! is there any simple, cheap way to check quality of fuel??? tomorrow is shop time. have to be there with internet link, tablets, phone, charging station, translate, etc,etc. I wish there was a place where one could call and talk to an expert about a specific problem and get advise real time. HEY, charge by the hour like lawyers and psicaiatrits. many thanks
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 774
Likes: 25
From: Reno, Nevada
Another part of the mileage equation is your elevation. I think Cuernavaca is about 2200 meters ASL? That alone will likely drop your mileage by 10%. I drive mostly at an elevation above 1500 meters and when I go to an area close to sea level my mileage goes up by quite a bit. I thought that turbo's were supposed to compensate for elevation but they don't compensate all that much on our trucks, in my experience.
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: CUERNAVACA
Cuernavaca is between 1450 to 1750 mts. The new fuel pump only lasted about 150 miles. trying to see if warranty still applies. COULD the screen filter in the FPR (next to fuel filter) cause the fuel pump to go out prematurely? STILL looking and will let you know how it goes. again THANKS!!!!
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,250
Likes: 7,678
From: Chino Valley, Arizona
I live at 1524 meters, 5000 ft elevation my lowest mileage powerstroke is my excursion at 17mpg.
no the screen being clogged will not cause that much drop in fuel mileage.
you asked about "fryer oil" yes it can cause issues as the glycerin will settle out of it and gel in places you don't want to have glycerin gelling ( I had 40 hours labor on a cummins removing glycerin from fuel system)
torque converter not locking up will rob a LOT of fuel mileage. simple test is to count shifts from a stop and lock up then while cruising at highway speed hold throttle steady and lightly push brake pedal, engine rpm should jump up a couple hundred rpm.
did you ever check your MAP line? I just change them as the original is 20 years old and brittle, a small crack in the line has a big effect.
no the screen being clogged will not cause that much drop in fuel mileage.
you asked about "fryer oil" yes it can cause issues as the glycerin will settle out of it and gel in places you don't want to have glycerin gelling ( I had 40 hours labor on a cummins removing glycerin from fuel system)
torque converter not locking up will rob a LOT of fuel mileage. simple test is to count shifts from a stop and lock up then while cruising at highway speed hold throttle steady and lightly push brake pedal, engine rpm should jump up a couple hundred rpm.
did you ever check your MAP line? I just change them as the original is 20 years old and brittle, a small crack in the line has a big effect.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: CUERNAVACA
just ordered new fuel pump. should be here by early next week. I will follow up on all suggestions made like MAP hoses etc. I will let you know. 17 MPG your lowest? CARAMBAS!!!!! I would be in heaven with that!!! MORE than double what I get and at almost $4 usd per gal for ????? quality fuel you see what I mean. I love hunting and fishing but NO CAN DO here. Its complicated here for that stuff. once more, many thanks. P.S. Just how intensely should I flush out cooling system? Any tips u can give? Ive heard of everything from liquid grease cutting dish soap to vinager to cocacola. I like to flush few times then add soap and circulate then flush. Then do it again but LOW on water so she heats up a bit then flush, flush, and flush again till water comes out like it went in. then, of course, add prestone antifreeze at recommended dilution rate. What u think???
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,250
Likes: 7,678
From: Chino Valley, Arizona
I cut the heater hose from the head to the heater box and install a 5/8" flush T, run engine while flushing until water is clear, if there is any oil residue in system run 1/2 bottle of dish washer detergent and plain water and drive for 30 minutes, hook hose back up to flush T and flush until clear, seal system drive 10 to 15 minutes hook up hose to flush T and flush until clear. drain system, fill with distilled water drive 10 minutes drain, fill with distilled water drive 10 minutes drain add concentrated antifreeze (LOW SILICATE ) I leave the cap off of the flush T until i havve antifreeze coming out, It will push a lot of water out. 3.5 gallons of concentrated antifreeze.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 5,105
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From: western SD
The #46 post Jose is referring to is the first post of page 4 of this thread. You can find the number at the top, right of each posting. It is in the blue stripe next to the scale sign.