I need help!!
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 58
Likes: 7
I need help!!
I am having an issue with my 1997 Ford F250HD with a 7.3L Powerstroke. I am 16 this is my first truck. My truck is getting about 7.9 mpg and Im not sure why. I dont know if this is important, but it sat for 5-7 years without being regularly ran. If anyone has any advice or something I should try it would be very helpful.
Edit: I got the mpg of 7.9 because its trip home was about 30 miles and it burned 1/4 of one of the 17 gallon tanks and my math came to about 7.9 mpg.
Some other Information: It only has 130,000 miles. It was an old ranch truck at my familys ranch. I have only done some maintenance, such as oil change, and coolent flush.
Edit: I got the mpg of 7.9 because its trip home was about 30 miles and it burned 1/4 of one of the 17 gallon tanks and my math came to about 7.9 mpg.
Some other Information: It only has 130,000 miles. It was an old ranch truck at my familys ranch. I have only done some maintenance, such as oil change, and coolent flush.
Last edited by Zack_Copeland556; Jul 31, 2022 at 10:41 PM.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 10,764
Likes: 39
I am having an issue with my 1997 Ford F250HD with a 7.3L Powerstroke. I am 16 this is my first truck. My truck is getting about 7.9 mpg and Im not sure why. I dont know if this is important, but it sat for 5-7 years without being regularly ran. If anyone has any advice or something I should try it would be very helpful.
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 664
Likes: 129
From: Columbia, MD
Have you done basic maintenance after getting running again? Is your issue just mileage, or do you seem down on power and possibly running poorly as well? Beyond standard stuff like oil, coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid, differential and transfer case fluids, you probably want to check:
Fuel quality- may want to drain tanks and fuel bowl, new fuel filter, clean regulator screen, add Diesel Klean or similar to fuel bowl, and start with fresh fuel. After opening the fuel system, it will take some time running at load to get air out of the system.
Intake leaks, exhaust leaks pre-turbo. Maybe even blockages, like critter nests?
Air filter
Dragging brakes
Issues with these will cause performance problems. And there are other possibilities, but there should also be other symptoms as well.
Fuel quality- may want to drain tanks and fuel bowl, new fuel filter, clean regulator screen, add Diesel Klean or similar to fuel bowl, and start with fresh fuel. After opening the fuel system, it will take some time running at load to get air out of the system.
Intake leaks, exhaust leaks pre-turbo. Maybe even blockages, like critter nests?
Air filter
Dragging brakes
Issues with these will cause performance problems. And there are other possibilities, but there should also be other symptoms as well.
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 58
Likes: 7
Have you done basic maintenance after getting running again? Is your issue just mileage, or do you seem down on power and possibly running poorly as well? Beyond standard stuff like oil, coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid, differential and transfer case fluids, you probably want to check:
Fuel quality- may want to drain tanks and fuel bowl, new fuel filter, clean regulator screen, add Diesel Klean or similar to fuel bowl, and start with fresh fuel. After opening the fuel system, it will take some time running at load to get air out of the system.
Intake leaks, exhaust leaks pre-turbo. Maybe even blockages, like critter nests?
Air filter
Dragging brakes
Issues with these will cause performance problems. And there are other possibilities, but there should also be other symptoms as well.
Fuel quality- may want to drain tanks and fuel bowl, new fuel filter, clean regulator screen, add Diesel Klean or similar to fuel bowl, and start with fresh fuel. After opening the fuel system, it will take some time running at load to get air out of the system.
Intake leaks, exhaust leaks pre-turbo. Maybe even blockages, like critter nests?
Air filter
Dragging brakes
Issues with these will cause performance problems. And there are other possibilities, but there should also be other symptoms as well.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 58
Likes: 7
It is completly stock and I have not gone through the breaks yet. I miss typed my age I am 15.5, I just got my leagal permit and have not been driving it daily, nor have I been hot rodding it. I will definately check out the breaks, Thank You for your advice.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 11,278
Likes: 1,658
From: Las Cruces New Mexico
To get a base line do change out all fluids, filters etc, check for boost leaks and up pipe leaks, check the line going from the passenger side intake plenum to the MAP sensor on the passenger side fire wall for cracks and if it's clogged, also check the MAP sensor hole and see if it's not clogged as well.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 11,278
Likes: 1,658
From: Las Cruces New Mexico
Also don't forget to check the stickies on top of the home page for the 94.5-97 7.3 powerstroke section lots of great info.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...nfo-links.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...nfo-links.html
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 58
Likes: 7
To get a base line do change out all fluids, filters etc, check for boost leaks and up pipe leaks, check the line going from the passenger side intake plenum to the MAP sensor on the passenger side fire wall for cracks and if it's clogged, also check the MAP sensor hole and see if it's not clogged as well.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 100
Likes: 16
silly question, but are you sure you filled up the correct tank? are you sure it was actually full when you started the 30 mile trip? fill up the tanks, drive a couple hundred miles (after an oil change) and check your mileage. i bet it is way better than 7.9. have fun! great starter truck
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,561
Likes: 5,599
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
as the guys said, you can't go by the gauge. they are not very accurate. fill the tank, drive it for a bit, then refill it.
divide miles driven by fuel used for miles per gallon.
divide miles driven by fuel used for miles per gallon.
