Low MPG
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jul 2019
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Low MPG
I got a 2004 excursion. And I'm getting pretty low MPG. Lower than everyone else seems to get. Most of what I've seen most have been getting at the very least 15+ I'm only getting about 12. And I have tried various tunes, blessed performance and SRL. The SRL did get me about 13 but that's still pretty low. The truck is fully builtproofed, o-ringed heads, studded, egr delete, blue spring, bunch of other things but nothing that effects performance. Just trying to get good mpg while good performance. Also the truck is very smokey. With all the tunes. More then I would like. I also do not have the stock tune anymore. But I don't really think it would do me any good anyway. And it's been this way since I've gotten about 2 years ago. So I know it's not winter blend or anything. Just trying to figure whats sucking the mileage. Especially since my 7.3 I had got 18 most the time.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,916
Likes: 3,636
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,916
Likes: 3,636
LOL - it's a discussion forum. You have some suggestions over there that you chose not to respond to ...........
I'll repeat them in a more direct form:
Check for dragging brakes
Check for codes (but use a thorough scan tool) that might reveal a biased sensor
You also need to provide more information on your excursion -
How many miles on it?
Are the injectors original?
Are the tires highway tires or aggressive tread (heavy) tires?
You didn't even list your rear differential ratio, that can make a noticeable difference.
Is it 4WD?
EDIT - I'll add another question - Since the '04 can have the '03 OR the '04 engine, where is your ICP sensor located?
I'll repeat them in a more direct form:
Check for dragging brakes
Check for codes (but use a thorough scan tool) that might reveal a biased sensor
You also need to provide more information on your excursion -
How many miles on it?
Are the injectors original?
Are the tires highway tires or aggressive tread (heavy) tires?
You didn't even list your rear differential ratio, that can make a noticeable difference.
Is it 4WD?
EDIT - I'll add another question - Since the '04 can have the '03 OR the '04 engine, where is your ICP sensor located?
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
LOL - it's a discussion forum. You have some suggestions over there that you chose not to respond to ...........
I'll repeat them in a more direct form:
Check for dragging brakes
Check for codes (but use a thorough scan tool) that might reveal a biased sensor
You also need to provide more information on your excursion -
How many miles on it?
Are the injectors original?
Are the tires highway tires or aggressive tread (heavy) tires?
You didn't even list your rear differential ratio, that can make a noticeable difference.
Is it 4WD?
EDIT - I'll add another question - Since the '04 can have the '03 OR the '04 engine, where is your ICP sensor located?
I'll repeat them in a more direct form:
Check for dragging brakes
Check for codes (but use a thorough scan tool) that might reveal a biased sensor
You also need to provide more information on your excursion -
How many miles on it?
Are the injectors original?
Are the tires highway tires or aggressive tread (heavy) tires?
You didn't even list your rear differential ratio, that can make a noticeable difference.
Is it 4WD?
EDIT - I'll add another question - Since the '04 can have the '03 OR the '04 engine, where is your ICP sensor located?
No codes280,000 milesI'm not sure about the injectors. I want to assume not. I got it at around 240,000 miles and haven't replaced the. But they are stock size.
Tires are just a tad under 33s I don't remember the size right of the top of my head. But I do remember them being just a little under 33s and they are KO2s.
3.73 gears
Yes 4x4
as for the icp I believe it's on the passenger side valve cover towards the front. But I'll have to double check that.
Thanks for the help!
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,916
Likes: 3,636
What scan tool do you have for pulling codes? MANY (probably most) do not reader codes thoroughly. Definitely tuners are notoriously bad at it.
Have you weighed your rig? I have weighed mine at over 9500 lbs with a few people in the truck with me.
The tires (10 lbs heavier than highway tires), and being 4WD, are going to drop your fuel economy by at least a couple mpg when comparing your truck to others.
I would also say the miles on the truck will drop it a few more also - normal wear on an engine and on the injectors. I track mpg EVERY fill up and have watched my fuel economy drop from 17 to 13 and I am at 240k miles. That said, I have added a HEAVY front bumper and a winch as well as some added weight in the bed.
The smoke does indicate the use of excess fuel, so the turbo may be experiencing some wear also.
I ASSUME that your fuel economy is "hand calculated" mileage every fill-up? Have you paid attention to the wind speed and direction. It can EASILY make a 2-3 mpg difference if blowing into you instead of behind you....and doesn't take extraordinary wind speeds to do so. 10-15 mph winds can make that 2-3 mpg difference.
As posted in the other thread, post your pressure data at KOEO (EBP, Baro, and MAP).
Might as well also post the temperature data, but it needs to be when the engine is completely cooled down (12 hours after the time you shut down the engine): IAT1, IAT2, EOT, ECT, TFT.
Who knows, maybe the FICM can be re-programmed and upgraded to help some, but that is $350 (ish) and I have had 4 FICMs at one time available to use and test and never saw much (if any) difference in the fuel economy.
You might have an accessory that is sticking, but if the Air Conditioner compressor had failed, I assume that you would have mentioned it. That said, a failure there, or in a belt pulley bearings, can bring down fuel economy.
Even the type of fluid in the differentials and oil in the engine can affect it some, but I would say that is something that would be hard to quantify......and you most certainly want reliability there (not just a few tenths in mpg gain .... or less).
Hopefully others jump in, but in over 15 years on this forum (we have been through this MANY times) - your chances of finding a "simple fix" to gain 2+ mpg are slim at best - JMHO.
Have you weighed your rig? I have weighed mine at over 9500 lbs with a few people in the truck with me.
The tires (10 lbs heavier than highway tires), and being 4WD, are going to drop your fuel economy by at least a couple mpg when comparing your truck to others.
I would also say the miles on the truck will drop it a few more also - normal wear on an engine and on the injectors. I track mpg EVERY fill up and have watched my fuel economy drop from 17 to 13 and I am at 240k miles. That said, I have added a HEAVY front bumper and a winch as well as some added weight in the bed.
The smoke does indicate the use of excess fuel, so the turbo may be experiencing some wear also.
I ASSUME that your fuel economy is "hand calculated" mileage every fill-up? Have you paid attention to the wind speed and direction. It can EASILY make a 2-3 mpg difference if blowing into you instead of behind you....and doesn't take extraordinary wind speeds to do so. 10-15 mph winds can make that 2-3 mpg difference.
As posted in the other thread, post your pressure data at KOEO (EBP, Baro, and MAP).
Might as well also post the temperature data, but it needs to be when the engine is completely cooled down (12 hours after the time you shut down the engine): IAT1, IAT2, EOT, ECT, TFT.
Who knows, maybe the FICM can be re-programmed and upgraded to help some, but that is $350 (ish) and I have had 4 FICMs at one time available to use and test and never saw much (if any) difference in the fuel economy.
You might have an accessory that is sticking, but if the Air Conditioner compressor had failed, I assume that you would have mentioned it. That said, a failure there, or in a belt pulley bearings, can bring down fuel economy.
Even the type of fluid in the differentials and oil in the engine can affect it some, but I would say that is something that would be hard to quantify......and you most certainly want reliability there (not just a few tenths in mpg gain .... or less).
Hopefully others jump in, but in over 15 years on this forum (we have been through this MANY times) - your chances of finding a "simple fix" to gain 2+ mpg are slim at best - JMHO.
More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 527
Likes: 278
From: Kansas
I have yet to mess with injectors and hoping it stays that way. So, a question how do you know they are stock?
I would guess the smoke is a couple MPG. Which leads me to Injectors, tuning, turbo, or compression.
I would guess the smoke is a couple MPG. Which leads me to Injectors, tuning, turbo, or compression.
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Fleet Owner
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I suspect your injectors aren't healthy. No amount of tuning will fix questionable injectors. This is also why I despise the latest flashes and FICM calibrations...
You either have an HFCM full of trash where you can't see, questionable injectors, or both. This is exactly why I when I do a head gasket job on these trucks, the engine is pulled and part of the price is to send them off for inspection and repair.
The intercooler is either replaced or taken to a radiator shop to reseal. CAC boots are inspected and replaced with new if need be.
No one wants to spend that kind of money and have a poor performing truck.
You either have an HFCM full of trash where you can't see, questionable injectors, or both. This is exactly why I when I do a head gasket job on these trucks, the engine is pulled and part of the price is to send them off for inspection and repair.
The intercooler is either replaced or taken to a radiator shop to reseal. CAC boots are inspected and replaced with new if need be.
No one wants to spend that kind of money and have a poor performing truck.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,616
Likes: 880
OP- "I need help and advice from you guys."
The other forum "Here you go and it's probably not what you want to hear, but it should get you on the right track."
OP- "No one is helping me so I will post on another forum where the same people frequent."
The other forum "Here you go and it's probably not what you want to hear, but it should get you on the right track."
OP- "No one is helping me so I will post on another forum where the same people frequent."
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