History:

Bought a 1995 E250 Supervan with the wonderful 351W engine. 3:73 rear end, made to haul stuff.

Got 7 MPG -

Found a bad EGR sensor, went to 10. Best ever was 12 on the highway.

Any ideas on what can be done to improve this?

Sure is handy.

Use it to haul the motorcycle and other stuff in.

 

What rear end and gears? My '92 E150 (I know its a bit lighter) with a load got 10mpg, empty go 14 to 18 on the road depending on road and weather conditions. I'd pull the codes, and do a tune up.

 

My 1992 E250 has the 351W/A4od/3.73 package, and I get 14.9 mpg going from MA to PA and back (the hilly route)at about 65-70 mph. My uncle told me that he once got close to 20mpg driving the van PA to IN. I think van mileage has a lot to do with average speed and driving style. Still, 10 mpg sounds low. In addition to pfogle's advice, maybe check tire pressures.

 

3:73 rear end.

I ran the codes and replaced the EGR sensor.
I do need to get around to replacing those two plugs at the front right of the engine . . . . Their must be a trick, through the fenderwell maybe??????

My son managed to get 14 once, he cheated and did nto use the A/C!

 

Yep, pull the right front wheel and work thru the side.

 

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

OK - Here is one of those two plugs. The tire shop replaced the second from the front on the right. They could not get to #1.

I did - easy with a couple extensions, a good u-joint inbetween 'em and the ability to work by feel.

Picture came out a lot better than it had any right too - This is a worn out plug. Operable, but worn out.

 

I was able to get a few more MPG out of my 1996 E-150 with 300,000 on the clock. I used an oil additive to quiet and smooth the engine. Not to tell anyone what to use but it was Lucas Oil Stabilizer. Also switched to the new Mercon V in the transmission. Changed all the oxygen sensors [in the same repair session] and the plugs/wires/cap/rotor arm. Makes this 300,000 mile engine with 3:31 axle average about 17 MPG in mixed driving. And I still find myself passing PSDs on the interstate even with my 74 Corvette in tow.

 

Funny, I was driving the other day and noticed I was a tenth of a mile from my next 3000 mile oil change -

When I was in front of the quick lube I use!

 

Hmm... I just did plugs/wires/cap/rotor along with new front brakes... it was an improvement... an O2 sensor probably wouldn't be a bad idea as well considering the one in there now may be original to the van...

In my '90 getting to the first plug wasn't too bad, but the second was a pain due to the rear conversion heater & a/c lines were in the way...