Fuel Mileage
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Fuel Mileage
I have a '89 250 7.3..My question is where I should start to look to fix a noticeable decrease in fuel mileage? Truck runs and sounds find but has been harder to start in the past few months. If not plugged in during cold weather starting is difficult, but it does always start. Quite a bit of whiteish grey smoke comes from the tailpipe during the starting process. July of this past year new lifters and cam were installed along with new glow plugs and injector O rings.Truck has 155,000 miles and mileage was around 17-18 and last fill-up was around 13. Starts immediately when plugged in and during warm weather. I do let it idle 5-10 minutes often before driving. This is the normal procedure driving my 425CAT so I do it with my pickup. Have driven big diesels for years but this is my first personal diesel..Great truck except for this problem so far since 141,000 miles. Any input will be appreciated...Thanks!
Last edited by olgold; Feb 28, 2005 at 07:43 PM.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 577
Likes: 0
From: Peoria IL
White smoke on startup is very normal. If it smokes white when it is warm then you have problems with air in the fuel lines. check all the return lines and the steel lines going to the lift pump. I had to replace mine.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 15
From: Nutter Fort, WV
Glow plugs are probably what the start problem is, have you checked them?
They will also cause white diesel smelling smoke at startup from lack of heat to complete combustion till it warms up.
They will also cause white diesel smelling smoke at startup from lack of heat to complete combustion till it warms up.
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
The pump timing was off on my truck when we got it. It was difficult to start and smoked quite a bit. We had the timing set which improved starting, power and fuel economy. Might be something to check as well as gp's.
good luck
good luck
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by RawPower
White smoke can mean Cavitation- do a search -or just too much air in the mixture...
Im willing to bet that it is cavitation, which is bad...
Im willing to bet that it is cavitation, which is bad...
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: northern new england
Originally Posted by The Kidd's F-350
Its nice to have your input but you dont live in a cold climate. These trucks when cold have a grayish smoke color when cold, when they warm up they stop, this is not CAVITATION this is the truck bieng cold. As far as hard starting check the glow plugs and timing, since you did all that work you may have to adjust the timing and she'll probably be fine.
Id bet its return lines for the mileage issue. You may have a tired battery (or two) which would cause the beast to start hard as the motor wouldn't be spinning as fast as it likes to.
Trending Topics
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 15
From: Nutter Fort, WV
Fuel mileage drop over the last several months may be something as simple as winter blend fuel.
White smoke at startup that smells like fuel is incomplete combustion from lack of heat.
White smoke that smells sweet is from coolant. That can occur at any time( startup or normal operating temp) from either cavitation, cracked block, cracked head or head gaskets.
White smoke at startup that smells like fuel is incomplete combustion from lack of heat.
White smoke that smells sweet is from coolant. That can occur at any time( startup or normal operating temp) from either cavitation, cracked block, cracked head or head gaskets.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic 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
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
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,782
Likes: 221
From: Huntington Indiana
when you don't plug in does it start right off or is it running rough... if rough then a glow plug isn't working correctly. Have you had the injectors checked for spray pattern. I did on my 93 at about this mileage and found most of the 8 was not spraying properly. Some wasn't even putting out a spray. shooting a stream. Got a LOT better fuel mileage after replacing injectors.
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
fool mileage...
Thanks for the many informative replys...I believe I will check the timing and maybe replace the injectors soon..Glow plugs were replaced this past July,so they shouldn't be the problem..Also, the battery suggestion may be a good one. I put a cd player in it today and after about 30 minutes of accessory use I needed to hook the charger up for about ten minutes. I haven't noticed any coolant loss, so I am assuming this indicates no serious engine problems??
The mornings are cold around here in the southern tip of Ohio which is probably the biggest contributer. I guess I am just used to the new diesels I drive and someone else maintains. They start more smoothly..After all it IS fifteen years old!!
Thanks again...
The mornings are cold around here in the southern tip of Ohio which is probably the biggest contributer. I guess I am just used to the new diesels I drive and someone else maintains. They start more smoothly..After all it IS fifteen years old!!
Thanks again...