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My hubs have been locked since October and I’ve been driving in 4 high since then also. Combine that with 25-65 minutes of idle time a day, lead foot and all city miles I’m still getting my normal 7.5-8mpg I have for the last 9 years. So 4.5 mpg means there is something else going on, or a lot of idle time.
You went 200 miles and then pumped 44.4 gallons of gas into the tank?...............Is your 4.5 truely hand calculated by dividing the miles driven by the gallons pumped to refill the tank? I have only once ever pumped over 44 gallons into mine and it was basically on fumes.
Tell us some more about your EX, how many miles, what size tires, tire pressures, do the brakes drag or pull either while braking or not, when was last plug and boot change, air filter change, fuel filter change (if you have records from the seller), check engine light, any pending codes, how is the performance, what gear ratio in the axles (door jamb sticker will have a code under axle heading), will it pull hard through all the gears on a WOT test run?
A dose of injector cleaner wouldn't be a bad idea, use something good like Techron.
I think that we can help you make some improvements, 4.5 is pretty bad, I can get twice that towing our big TT on trips.
You went 200 miles and then pumped 44.4 gallons of gas into the tank?...............Is your 4.5 truely hand calculated by dividing the miles driven by the gallons pumped to refill the tank? I have only once ever pumped over 44 gallons into mine and it was basically on fumes.
Tell us some more about your EX, how many miles, what size tires, tire pressures, do the brakes drag or pull either while braking or not, when was last plug and boot change, air filter change, fuel filter change (if you have records from the seller), check engine light, any pending codes, how is the performance, what gear ratio in the axles (door jamb sticker will have a code under axle heading), will it pull hard through all the gears on a WOT test run?
A dose of injector cleaner wouldn't be a bad idea, use something good like Techron.
I think that we can help you make some improvements, 4.5 is pretty bad, I can get twice that towing our big TT on trips.
Yessir - but I'm now holding judgement as I do the same calculation on the next two full tank fill-ups. to get my 3 x average MPG.
That said, here's what I'm planning on doing:
Clean the MAF
Clean the throttle body
Check the air filter
Add 2 x 16oz Seafoam to tank on next fill.
It's got 150k on the clock, not sure if brakes are dragging in all this ice and snow. I've just had the brake lines replaced under dealer warranty at Ford and they did full brake check. It's got good service history, but I'm unsure of last plug and filter changes. I can do air but would need oil and fuel filters to be done by someone with experience.
3.73 gears.
Performance is okay, I think. With this being my first ever truck, it's hard to say as I have no yard stick.
Will keep this updated as I go.
OFF-TOPIC: the ESOF vacuum system. Should I buy a gauge and test the lines or should I just jump straight in and replace the solenoid? The manual lock hubs work as they should, just not the ESOF. If it is the solenoid I'll need to dig out an OEM one. The Dorman branded ones that are more readily available have terrible reviews.
Yessir - but I'm now holding judgement as I do the same calculation on the next two full tank fill-ups. to get my 3 x average MPG.
That said, here's what I'm planning on doing:
Clean the MAF
Clean the throttle body
Check the air filter
Add 2 x 16oz Seafoam to tank on next fill.
It's got 150k on the clock, not sure if brakes are dragging in all this ice and snow. I've just had the brake lines replaced under dealer warranty at Ford and they did full brake check. It's got good service history, but I'm unsure of last plug and filter changes. I can do air but would need oil and fuel filters to be done by someone with experience.
3.73 gears.
Performance is okay, I think. With this being my first ever truck, it's hard to say as I have no yard stick.
Will keep this updated as I go.
OFF-TOPIC: the ESOF vacuum system. Should I buy a gauge and test the lines or should I just jump straight in and replace the solenoid? The manual lock hubs work as they should, just not the ESOF. If it is the solenoid I'll need to dig out an OEM one. The Dorman branded ones that are more readily available have terrible reviews.
for the hubs, are they just manual (so the prior owner replaced the automatic hubs)? My two cents is don’t waste time and money screwing around with the vacuum system. Just manually lock the hubs (can leave them locked all winter) and then just engage the esof as needed. That’s what I do.
for the hubs, are they just manual (so the prior owner replaced the automatic hubs)? My two cents is don’t waste time and money screwing around with the vacuum system. Just manually lock the hubs (can leave them locked all winter) and then just engage the esof as needed. That’s what I do.
They are the original auto hubs.
So that's interesting. I didn't know you could do that. To be clear, the hubs are locked and you can still engage/disengage 4x4 using the switch? What's the downside to this? MPG, as not axle not "free-spinning?"
So that's interesting. I didn't know you could do that. To be clear, the hubs are locked and you can still engage/disengage 4x4 using the switch? What's the downside to this? MPG, as not axle not "free-spinning?"
Yes, correct on both counts.
The most common place to have a vacuum leak on the ESOF system is at the rubber hoses going from the frame bracket out to the hubs, these tend to rot and split over time and replacing a bad set of hoses here is a cheap check to see if that's the only problem with the system.
Oil change with filter and fuel filter changes are pretty easy jobs that are worth the time and effort (And getting the needed catch pan and wrenches) to do, you will save some money and get to know your EX much better, both very good things! . Even a plug and boot change is very doable in the driveway with only a few hand tools.
. Even a plug and boot change is very doable in the driveway with only a few hand tools.
