where is the gas going?
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Anchorage, Alaska
where is the gas going?
I have a '01 F-350 4x4 V-10 auto. I have always been very pleased with the mileage I have gotten with this truck. Usually 15-16 on the hiway and 12-13 in town. I am now down to 8mpg in town. The truck has 62,000 miles on it. The fuel filter is changed every 5000-6000 miles, it has a brand new air filter, tire pressure is always right on. I actually thought someone was stealing my gas, however, today I was driving just after filling up and only got 40 miles on the first quarter of a tank. I have checked for leaks through out the entire fuel system and nothing appears to be leaking. I have never smelled raw fuel either. The book says to change the plugs at 100,000. Might this be my problem? As always, thanks for any help! Eric
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From: Ohio
I may be talking out of the back of my front here, but my 250SD 5.4 gas ALWAYS had its mileage decrease significantly in the winter (from about a 13 mpg average in the summer, to sometimes below 10mpg in the winter).
The "winter formulation" gas in the US (AKA boutique gasolines) give up mileage in exchange for lower emissions (supposedly).
Could be part of it.
Other thing, when it's cold, the choke cycle remains engaged MUCH longer than in warm weather. THe choke cycle drinks fuel like crazy. Thus, if you're doing a lot of "on/off" operation where the engine has sufficient time to cool between on/off cycles, the choke cycle is engaged more often.
Never-the-less, a quick "code extraction" may pick up on some other pesky issue.
Just my $0.05
The "winter formulation" gas in the US (AKA boutique gasolines) give up mileage in exchange for lower emissions (supposedly).
Could be part of it.
Other thing, when it's cold, the choke cycle remains engaged MUCH longer than in warm weather. THe choke cycle drinks fuel like crazy. Thus, if you're doing a lot of "on/off" operation where the engine has sufficient time to cool between on/off cycles, the choke cycle is engaged more often.
Never-the-less, a quick "code extraction" may pick up on some other pesky issue.
Just my $0.05
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Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Berkshires Western Ma
Eric, First Ditto on what Kraut said on winter driving, My 2 cents (and i haven't got a clue on helping you with your problem) Seems to me if i remember right my 99 SD V10 was getting around 7-10 city driving 12-15 highway on a good day! You didn't mention what your getting now on the highway, but the 8 city is low end if thats the best. Before City miles sounds like something was wrong with truck 
and you need to break it again . Your before city miles is just as good as my 7.3 gets in the city maybe better, highway i think i get between 15-20 depending on time of year and how heavy my foot feels on a given day. Anyway sorry this was of no help but i warned you up front so if you read it anyway , Shame! but maybe you got a 
gl I'm sure one of the Truck Brain Surgeons here will helpya figure it out. They are a pretty bright bunch (for rednecks) kidding guys Mike
and you need to break it again . Your before city miles is just as good as my 7.3 gets in the city maybe better, highway i think i get between 15-20 depending on time of year and how heavy my foot feels on a given day. Anyway sorry this was of no help but i warned you up front so if you read it anyway , Shame! but maybe you got a gl I'm sure one of the Truck Brain Surgeons here will helpya figure it out. They are a pretty bright bunch (for rednecks) kidding guys Mike
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Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Berkshires Western Ma
Almost forgot, most important idea
Forgot to mention! keep a close eye on the owner of the gas station where you are fueling, Get a tree stand at your house and spend a few nights in the tree with night vision and arm yourself with a 30/6 or an m16. If its him stealing your gas i'd fire a few warning shots before opening up on him just to cover your butt. gl hope you find your missing gas
gl hope you find your missing gas
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: near pittsburgh pa
Second time I have heard of winter gas being "bad" Here in Pgh Pa the summer gas, April-Sept, is the bad gas. Better emissions they say ans cost 2-4 cents more. Any other time its old forumla. Farwhite should have truck scanned and go from there.
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From: Paducah KY
The O2 sensors are designed to start sending a "leaner" signal as they age. The computer recieves the lean signal and richens up the fuel mixture. Its a saftely thing for your engine. If the O2s started sending a richer signal when they aged then your engine would run too lean and a lean mixture is not good for your engine. Eventually your O2s will send a signal that is out of range and your computer will throw a code. I think most people change them out every 70,000-100,000 miles. I dont' think there is a good way to test them.
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From: Long Island USA
Yup, winter blend gas is usually NOT oxygenated with ethanol or MTBE.
Sounds like typical winter mileage, if you ask me - and that's coming from a V10 owner that doesn't commute and mostly around town.
I get 5-7 MPG around town w/3.73 gears.
And, O2 sensors usually read LESS oxygen as they get old, so the computer would LEAN the mixture, not the other way around. O2 sensors generate voltage in the presence of oxygen. As they age, they clog up and generate LESS voltage, so the computer sees a RICH condition, and leans out the mix. Usually the MPG goes UP when the O2 sensors are getting old. That's not to say they can't go bad the other way though
Even a dirty MAF sensor would go lean not rich.
Maybe you have injectors that are leaky? Any black smoke when driving or right after startup?
Sounds like typical winter mileage, if you ask me - and that's coming from a V10 owner that doesn't commute and mostly around town.
I get 5-7 MPG around town w/3.73 gears.
And, O2 sensors usually read LESS oxygen as they get old, so the computer would LEAN the mixture, not the other way around. O2 sensors generate voltage in the presence of oxygen. As they age, they clog up and generate LESS voltage, so the computer sees a RICH condition, and leans out the mix. Usually the MPG goes UP when the O2 sensors are getting old. That's not to say they can't go bad the other way though
Even a dirty MAF sensor would go lean not rich.
Maybe you have injectors that are leaky? Any black smoke when driving or right after startup?
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Junior User
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From: Anchorage, Alaska
I have never noticed any black smoke at all. Past winters I have noticed a slight reduction in mileage but not as severe as it has been this year. But thanks guys and keep the info coming. Gas is still 2.40 here in Alaska, hate to have to fill it up any more than I have to!! Eric
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From: Paducah KY
Originally Posted by krewat
And, O2 sensors usually read LESS oxygen as they get old, so the computer would LEAN the mixture, not the other way around. O2 sensors generate voltage in the presence of oxygen. As they age, they clog up and generate LESS voltage, so the computer sees a RICH condition, and leans out the mix. Usually the MPG goes UP when the O2 sensors are getting old. That's not to say they can't go bad the other way though
Oxygen Sensors Don't Last Forever
Here's What Happens As They Age
As an oxygen sensor ages, contaminants from normal combustion and oil ash accumulate on the sensing element. This reduces the sensor's ability to respond quickly to changes in the air/fuel mixture. The sensor slows down and becomes "sluggish".
At the same time, the sensor's output voltage may not be as high as it once was, giving the false impression that the air/fuel mixture is leaner than it actually is. The result can be a richer-than-normal air/fuel mixture under various operating conditions that causes fuel consumption and emissions to rise.
The problem may not be noticed right away because the change in performance occurs gradually. But, over time, the situation will get worse, ultimately requiring the sensor to be replaced to restore peak engine performance.
http://www.autohausaz.com/volvo-auto...n-sensors.html
I'm not surprised you get 5-7 mpg, could be all that bs cloggin up your O2s.
Last edited by warmdye; Dec 5, 2005 at 10:30 AM.
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I Noticed A 15 % Increase In Milage When The Oxygen Sensors Were Changed
A Block Heater Works Well Also. The Distance Travelled To Warm Up The Truck To Operating Temperatures Is Only 1/3 The Distance Than Doing Without A Block Heater. There Is A Lot Of Wasted Gas When The Engine Is Cold, I Can Smell It When Backing Up.
A Block Heater Works Well Also. The Distance Travelled To Warm Up The Truck To Operating Temperatures Is Only 1/3 The Distance Than Doing Without A Block Heater. There Is A Lot Of Wasted Gas When The Engine Is Cold, I Can Smell It When Backing Up.
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From: Long Island USA
Originally Posted by warmdye
Alright Mr. know it all suck on this
Oxygen Sensors Don't Last Forever
Here's What Happens As They Age
As an oxygen sensor ages, contaminants from normal combustion and oil ash accumulate on the sensing element. This reduces the sensor's ability to respond quickly to changes in the air/fuel mixture. The sensor slows down and becomes "sluggish".
At the same time, the sensor's output voltage may not be as high as it once was, giving the false impression that the air/fuel mixture is leaner than it actually is. The result can be a richer-than-normal air/fuel mixture under various operating conditions that causes fuel consumption and emissions to rise.
The problem may not be noticed right away because the change in performance occurs gradually. But, over time, the situation will get worse, ultimately requiring the sensor to be replaced to restore peak engine performance.
http://www.autohausaz.com/volvo-auto...n-sensors.html
I'm not surprised you get 5-7 mpg, could be all that bs cloggin up your O2s.
Oxygen Sensors Don't Last Forever
Here's What Happens As They Age
As an oxygen sensor ages, contaminants from normal combustion and oil ash accumulate on the sensing element. This reduces the sensor's ability to respond quickly to changes in the air/fuel mixture. The sensor slows down and becomes "sluggish".
At the same time, the sensor's output voltage may not be as high as it once was, giving the false impression that the air/fuel mixture is leaner than it actually is. The result can be a richer-than-normal air/fuel mixture under various operating conditions that causes fuel consumption and emissions to rise.
The problem may not be noticed right away because the change in performance occurs gradually. But, over time, the situation will get worse, ultimately requiring the sensor to be replaced to restore peak engine performance.
http://www.autohausaz.com/volvo-auto...n-sensors.html
I'm not surprised you get 5-7 mpg, could be all that bs cloggin up your O2s.
One thing to keep in mind - O2 sensors generate voltage in the presence of OXYGEN. If the O2 sensor starts to generate less voltage as it ages, that means the computer will see a RICH condition and therefore LEAN the mix.
Argue that one all you want. Granted, they don't react as fast to changes in mix, but how can it run RICHER if the voltage (and therefore oxygen sensed) is LESS?
art k.
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From: Long Island USA
Hmm... I just read that link - OK, it generates MORE voltage in a RICH condition.
But that's no reason for the derogatory manner in which you corrected me.
No wonder why some friends of mine left this forum and started living in an engine forum...
But that's no reason for the derogatory manner in which you corrected me.
No wonder why some friends of mine left this forum and started living in an engine forum...