I just went to Tampa and my milage is dropping to between 14-15 mpg. I went to Atlanta and back and got between 16-18 mpg. Just had the oil changed before I left and cleaned the K&N Filter. I did not do the complete cleaning, but I looked it over and knocked the big stuff out. The truck ran fine, I just noticed a little drop in the milage I for out of a tank. So I checked it.

I don't know if I got some bad diesel or what. I've got 135,000 on the truck and LOVE IT! Want to trade for an 05 6.0 limited, but money is tight right now.

Can anybody give me some advice?

John in Mobile

 

Don't get me wrong, but how fast were you going? Speed and load have alot to do with mileage; but based on what you've said, it doesn't seem like you were loaded down with anything. Whenever you fill up, you should always use a bottle of "Powerservice Diesel Kleen" (gray bottle). It runs under $5 a bottle and will save you a huge headache if you get a bad tank of diesel. It also boosts your mileage a bit and just makes your truck run better overall. Try that and see if your mileage recovers, hope this helps.

On edit: When was the last time you changed your fuel filter?

 

I have changed the fuel filter, (Motorcraft) within the last 10K miles. On the interstate I try to keep it around 75 mph. (Tampa is 500 miles) I know that if I get above 2000 rpm the mileage drops off. But I can't go that slow on the interstate. Thats between 65-70.

 

How about wind direction? A head wind will kill your mileage while a tail wind would help. What about terrain? I assume it is mostly flat in the Southeast but you never know.

 

All of the reasons you guys listed are valid reasons for a fuel economy drop.But take it from somebody that makes his living driving,don't sweat these temporary spikes.And for pete's sake quit checking the mileage of every tank.Conditions vary with every passing mile and just because you get 15 today doesnt mean you'll get it tomorrow on the same drive.Keep track of your gallons starting full for 2-3k miles figure it long-hand.That will give you a better indicator of true mileage. Enough ranting.Lets just all hope fuel will eventually start coming down so toilet paper doesnt go to 5 bucks a roll. .50 cent for the product and 4.50 for transportation.lol take care

 

Just Came Back From Up-state New York Towing A 8000lb Travel Trailer With Eight Passengers In My Ex At 75mph Average, Got 6.9 Miles Per Gallon. Didn't Buy The Ex For Fuel Efficiency. Only Performance Upgrades: K&n Fuel Injection Performance Kit And Gibson Exhaust.

 

6.9 GPH how big were the people? Just kidding! 75 MPH does eat more as well, especially with a large trailer in tow. Besides, what SUV could do it this well!

From Car talk. They are pretty humorous.
http://www.cartalk.com/content/features/Ford-Excursion/

FORD: Large payload capacity--up to one ton.
TRANSLATION: And it holds nine people, so each of them can weigh up to 225 pounds. Or, five mothers-in-law at 400 pounds each. It's your call.

 

I have gone from getting 700+ miles per 44 gallon tank to about 550. I don't know if I got some bad diesel and just need to put a cleaning treatment and change the fuel filter again or what?

 

big315, I changed the title of your thread to help get you more attention.

 

Thanks, Monsta

 

That's why I recommended some Powerservice Diesel Kleen. The stuff in the gray bottle works wonders and sells for about $5 a bottle. Grab some at wal--mart (or your nearest auto parts store), dump the entire bottle in your tank, and you should be good to go. If the problems persist, it could be your fuel filter, or worse yet, something else. In the mean time, try some Diesel Kleen and see if it clears things up.

 

Something to note. I have been having the same trouble with my 02 Ex. Dropped to about 15-16 in local driving where I have been getting more... I bought a fuel filter, but before I could get it put on the truck died in traffic, under acceleration. I had no idea what the problem might be, and was heading out of town, so I had it towed to a shop after checking to ENSURE I had fuel ( and fuel pressure)...I had my fuel gauge stick one time, right after a tiny little bump into a non-moving object... long story, don't ask. Anyway, fuel gauge was stuck at full, and my wife drives it for a week or more without every losing a single mile-to-empty. Truck runs out of diesel, and I was really scratching my head, until I remembered that she had not put fuel in there for a while.... SOOOO... after making sure, I took it to the mechanic. He checks it out and tells me Cam Position Sensor. Charged me a pretty penny to replace it, but the repair was done and truck ready when I returned to town. Surprisingly enough, my mileage is up by 2-3 MPG on the last 700 miles. It may not be the answer, but it is something worth noting, especially if yours quits in you unexpectedly. ( My only warning was that it did shudder/stumble a couple days before, and had not seemed as ready to accelerate prior to its failure.) This truck has about 93K on it.


Food for thought. Good luck to you.

Monty Ma Gill

 

When was the last time you changed the fuel filter? When my mileage tanks, usually it coincides with the fuel filter getting worn out.

 

I just filled up again, 11.5 mpg. I did some heavy towing this weekend and also worked cleaning up my house after Hurricane Katrina. I am going to change my filter today, I will keep y'all posted. Can anybody tell me what to clean the fuel filter housing out?

John in Mobile

 

milage is better, especially when I keep my foot out of it. Since I have 140,000 miles on it, should I look to replace the muffler with more of a free flow muffler, without going to the expense of the complete exhaust system? When will the Cam Positioning Sensor go out?

John