New SD Owner-Disappointed
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Little Chute, WI
New SD Owner-Disappointed
Hello all,
I recently bought a 2000 F250 with the 7.3 PS. I have had nothing but trouble with it since I bought it 2 months ago. Slowly i'm working the bugs out of it but there is one thing that has me stumped. Everyone I talk to with the same engine is getting 15-20 mpg, right? Well, i'm getting 12-13 highway. Something isn't right and I am confused as to what is wrong. I have a K&N on it and it's clean. Thats the only thing I can think of. This is the first ford in my family since '52 and so far it hasn't been a good one. I like the truck and will keep it, I just want to get the mileage I deserve. Thanks in advance.
PowerStrokeThis
I recently bought a 2000 F250 with the 7.3 PS. I have had nothing but trouble with it since I bought it 2 months ago. Slowly i'm working the bugs out of it but there is one thing that has me stumped. Everyone I talk to with the same engine is getting 15-20 mpg, right? Well, i'm getting 12-13 highway. Something isn't right and I am confused as to what is wrong. I have a K&N on it and it's clean. Thats the only thing I can think of. This is the first ford in my family since '52 and so far it hasn't been a good one. I like the truck and will keep it, I just want to get the mileage I deserve. Thanks in advance.
PowerStrokeThis
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
From: Eastern Oregon
Ditch the K&N filter and get a AFE Pro-Guard 7 or something similar. You'll get filter blow by with a K&N, because they allow to much suction and too hard. Also maybe check your tire pressure, I would run no less than 55psi.
Last edited by 94.5turbodiesel; Apr 12, 2004 at 03:42 PM. Reason: need to change to AFE Pro-Guard 7
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: idaho
Powerstrokethis, I keep hearing the same thing...that everyone is getting anywhere from 17-22 mpg. I am currently getting 14.3 and thats after I put a fifthwheel tailgate on it. before I was getting about 13mpg. I don't know if some are embelishing thier mpg but it seems, out west anyway, that we don't get as good mpg as the boys in the east.
Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 5,324
Likes: 1
From: Denton,TX
Originally Posted by gburkett
Powerstrokethis, I keep hearing the same thing...that everyone is getting anywhere from 17-22 mpg. I am currently getting 14.3 and thats after I put a fifthwheel tailgate on it. before I was getting about 13mpg. I don't know if some are embelishing thier mpg but it seems, out west anyway, that we don't get as good mpg as the boys in the east.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
[QUOTE=gburkett]Powerstrokethis, I keep hearing the same thing...that everyone is getting anywhere from 17-22 mpg. I am currently getting 14.3 and thats after I put a fifthwheel tailgate on it. QUOTE]
I have read reports stating that removing or lowering the tailgate actually diminishes gas mileage. Due to a blah blah vortex stagnant air bubble formed by the tailgate allowing wind to go over the tailgate. Heres the link.
http://www.truck-bed-covers.com/Tonn..._save_fuel.htm
Tire pressure was a kicker for me. Gear ratio matters. I talked with a guy at the pump saturday with the exact same truck minus 2 years and color, he claimed 24 mpg
Yeah right. Me about 17.5 if I keep my foot out of it.
I have read reports stating that removing or lowering the tailgate actually diminishes gas mileage. Due to a blah blah vortex stagnant air bubble formed by the tailgate allowing wind to go over the tailgate. Heres the link.
http://www.truck-bed-covers.com/Tonn..._save_fuel.htm
Tire pressure was a kicker for me. Gear ratio matters. I talked with a guy at the pump saturday with the exact same truck minus 2 years and color, he claimed 24 mpg
Yeah right. Me about 17.5 if I keep my foot out of it.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Little Chute, WI
I don't accelerate that hard. Not near as hard as when I had my gas motor. I'm actually really good about that. Cruising RPM for me is about 1700 -1900. I'm running 285's at 60 psi. I don't know what my gear ratio is off hand. I would imagine 4:10's. johnsdiesel, do you recommend another filter to use. I've heard that about the K&N's before. It was on it when I bought it so I didn't bother with it. I will be pulling a 24' enclosed car hauler all summer so I would like to get over 12mpg. I'm still stumped. HELP
PowerStrokeThis
PowerStrokeThis
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
From: Louisville, KY
I get 20/hwy out of my 96 and it is loaded with a 160/gal fuel tank and full toolbox in bed, 700lbs bumper, and all the chains that i forget to take out everytime i mean to.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
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
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 5,324
Likes: 1
From: Denton,TX
Originally Posted by PowerStrokeThis
I don't know what my gear ratio is off hand. I would imagine 4:10's. johnsdiesel, do you recommend another filter to use. I've heard that about the K&N's before.
I recommend the Tymar intake.
When is the last time you changed the fuel filter and cleaned the fuel regulator screen?
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 573
Likes: 0
From: Spring City, Pennsylvania
PowerStroke This,
I recommend trashing the K&N. It's just an accident waiting to happen with a turbo diesel. Look into getting a Tymar intake or the Ford AIS. Both give you much better flow and will slightly improve MPG's. I agree with what JohnsDiesel said about fuel quality. Most of us are running Diesel Kleen or Standadyne in our fuel. I highly recommend giving either of these a shot. They lube your injectors and raise the performance level of your diesel fuel. And most of us are also running some sort of chip or tuner in addition to fuel additives, intakes, and exhaust. Depending on which setting your chip/tuner is in, it can help raise the MPG's a little too. And last but not least, it all depends on how heavy your foot is. Do you romp on it a lot? Do you drive it like a gasser? Diesels act and perform differently than gas motors which I'm sure you know by now. Depending on how much traffic and how many lights I get stuck at in town, I get anywhere from 11 to 14 MPG's in the city. Highway I can get anywhere from 16 to 22 depending on whether I'm running with or without a load and how fast I'm going. Think about these things and hopefully you'll be on your way to better gas mileage.
I recommend trashing the K&N. It's just an accident waiting to happen with a turbo diesel. Look into getting a Tymar intake or the Ford AIS. Both give you much better flow and will slightly improve MPG's. I agree with what JohnsDiesel said about fuel quality. Most of us are running Diesel Kleen or Standadyne in our fuel. I highly recommend giving either of these a shot. They lube your injectors and raise the performance level of your diesel fuel. And most of us are also running some sort of chip or tuner in addition to fuel additives, intakes, and exhaust. Depending on which setting your chip/tuner is in, it can help raise the MPG's a little too. And last but not least, it all depends on how heavy your foot is. Do you romp on it a lot? Do you drive it like a gasser? Diesels act and perform differently than gas motors which I'm sure you know by now. Depending on how much traffic and how many lights I get stuck at in town, I get anywhere from 11 to 14 MPG's in the city. Highway I can get anywhere from 16 to 22 depending on whether I'm running with or without a load and how fast I'm going. Think about these things and hopefully you'll be on your way to better gas mileage.
New User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: MN
mine is a 03,7.3 SC,SB,with 14000 on it now, bone stock!!!3.73 gears and was getting 14-16 hwy.all winter using arctic diesel,took a trip yesterday and got 20.(calculated) but must keep it at or under 2 grand to get it. over 2 grand and it can drop 2-3 mpg. like others are saying fuel and rpm can make a big difference. hope yours gets better, it should
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Little Chute, WI
johnsdiesel, I just bought it 4000 miles ago. It has 98000. I didn't change the filter or screen, but am going to at 100070 (next service). For exhaust, I am getting a 4" FloPro kit with a 4" downtube next week. As far as intake, I guess I check out some others. As for a chip, I just signed up for this forum today, but can already tell that this topic is beaten dead. I'll probably end up getting a SuperTuner or the Predator. As far as additives, I've heard that they can actually reduce your mileage. Is this true? I've been running PenRay Winter Pwer Plus in the winter. Does this count as an additive, or winter only. I get the stuff at a great price and i've heard PenRay is good stuff, that's why I've been running it. You guys are great!!
PowerStrokeThis
PowerStrokeThis
Last edited by PowerStrokeThis; Apr 12, 2004 at 04:07 PM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 5,324
Likes: 1
From: Denton,TX
I used Standyne performance formula. I basically break even on the cost from the slightly higher mileage. Check my prior post about fuel filter and regulator screen. That can make a big difference in mileage.