Low fuel mileage
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Taylorsville, KY
Low fuel mileage
I was wondering, what are some of you guys getting our of your trucks in the fuel mileage department. I have a 7.3l ATS turbo with 5 spd and 4.10 gears, and am currently getting some where in the range of 10-13 mpg. I have replaced the o-rings on the injectors were they were leaking, fuel treatment (powerservice), kept down the rpms, but still ain't getting that good. I do mostly highway miles and was getting better mileage out of my old 7.3l nonturbo that also had 4.10's, and that motor was lucky to be alive. This one I got now has only about 20k on it. It is 4x4 so changing front and rear gears would be $$$$ and plus I don't think it would make that big of a difference (but am I wrong). Any suggestions.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Northeastern Pa - USA
I wouldnt count on getting good fuel mileage during the winter months. The "new" fuel isnt worth the powder it would take to blow it all to hell. Try using a cetane enhancer and see what happens. And this will open another conversation for sure. Dont forget that you are turning more gears with the 4x4. Be patient and learn how to operate the new truck.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Taylorsville, KY
Both trucks were 4x4's with 5spd's and 7.3l's with 4.10 gears, the only difference is this is a crew cab versus a reg cab. They are even the same models, suspension, tire sizes, etc., excet the crew cab has a turbo and the reg cab didn't. It doesn't seem like the extra 2 doors would cause my fuel mileage to drop by 5mpg or greater compared to the reg cab truck.
What is a cetane enhancer? Never heard of it, maybe I call it something different and just don't realize it.
Thanks for reply
What is a cetane enhancer? Never heard of it, maybe I call it something different and just don't realize it.
Thanks for reply
New User
Joined: Dec 2003
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I don't know, but 10-13 sounds about right to me for mileage. I have a 93 F250 Reg cab 4x4 with a 7.3 non turbo with a 5-spd and 4.10's and thats about what i get. Depending on how much you get on it, it the pump is turned up on your new one, that will make a big difference also.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Utah
Centane booster is a fuel additive. I think your powerservice additive probably already does it, but it should say on the bottle.
As for milage I have a ext cab w/ 3.55 rear end 4x4 which is not nearly as heavy duty and I only get 14 to15 in the winter so 13 doesn't sound that far off unfortunatually. I look foward to any suggestions for improvements.
As for milage I have a ext cab w/ 3.55 rear end 4x4 which is not nearly as heavy duty and I only get 14 to15 in the winter so 13 doesn't sound that far off unfortunatually. I look foward to any suggestions for improvements.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Nutter Fort, WV
You are driving faster than you were, you are pulling hills faster than you were, you are accelerating faster than you were.
That is where the fuel savings went.
I can not imagine the need for 4.10 gears in a turbo 7.3.
I have 33" tires, 3.55 gears with a direct drive 4 speed, and 52 MPH = 2000 RPM.
You should be close to that with your 4.10's and an overdrive 5 speed.
If you run 70 MPH you are to high in the RPM band to see good milage, but you are never lacking for power.
You have to remember you are sitting in 4 tons of steel before you put a load on it. And it takes fuel to drag 4 tons everywhere you go.
Drive 55 with an egg under your right foot and you can do 16 or 17 MPG. But who has that much time to spare.
That is where the fuel savings went.
I can not imagine the need for 4.10 gears in a turbo 7.3.
I have 33" tires, 3.55 gears with a direct drive 4 speed, and 52 MPH = 2000 RPM.
You should be close to that with your 4.10's and an overdrive 5 speed.
If you run 70 MPH you are to high in the RPM band to see good milage, but you are never lacking for power.
You have to remember you are sitting in 4 tons of steel before you put a load on it. And it takes fuel to drag 4 tons everywhere you go.
Drive 55 with an egg under your right foot and you can do 16 or 17 MPG. But who has that much time to spare.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Taylorsville, KY
Thanks for all replies.
We just call cetane enhancer a fuel additive.
When I move back to the country and out of this darn city, than I will be able to drive 55 and take my time. If I did this on the interstate, not only would it cause a head ache for me to co that slow, but would probably get run over by some of the other trucks around here.
4.10's were the stock gears, I would rather have 3.55's but $$$ is tight and times are hard.
65 mph is about 2300-2400 rpms.
We just call cetane enhancer a fuel additive.
When I move back to the country and out of this darn city, than I will be able to drive 55 and take my time. If I did this on the interstate, not only would it cause a head ache for me to co that slow, but would probably get run over by some of the other trucks around here.
4.10's were the stock gears, I would rather have 3.55's but $$$ is tight and times are hard.
65 mph is about 2300-2400 rpms.
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Taylorsville, KY
Mine is a remain. also, I don't think it was turned up cause I have the paper work and it was a ford dealer who did it. I know sometimes they are really hesitant about doing things like that. Plus all the bolts are marked from when it was remained. I can tweak it but I dont really want to.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Colorado
My 1991 F250 7.3L has the ATS Turbo on it and I run my truck at 70mph on the interstate and get 16mpg. It doesn't matter if I run it in Kansas or up the mountains in colorado, or around town... I get 16 mpg. One friend of mine with a 2003 F350 7.3L gets about 14 mpg, while my buddy with a 2001 Dodge 2500 Cummins gets about 22mpg, and he's running biodiesel!
Hope the info helps.
Bart
Hope the info helps.
Bart
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 91
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From: S. Ontario
I runabout 900-1000 mi. a week with my '92/7.3i.di. was gettig15 till I removed that soupbowl in my breather lid better airintake better mileage if I didn't get gassed a while ago I would still be pulling 17's but that fuelling error cost me all my gains.The beast will be outta the "sickbay" tommorrow & we will fly n try some mo'
Later,OILBurners
LoudWayne
Later,OILBurners
LoudWayne
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