I am new to this site and I am looking for direction. I have a stock 1999 F-250 7.3 with 230,000 miles that is getting 9.9 mpg, which sucks. I am looking to get a Hypertech chip and I have been running a injector cleaner through it which has helped to pull it to 12.3 mpg. I have heard of changing the down pipe. What are some inexpensive upgrades I can do that will assist in better GPM.

 

Dang... You get much below 9mpg, and you WILL be measuring in gpm!! There are a few things that can cause poor mileage. Leaky I/C boots, leaky up-pipes, and clogged/broken EBPS (exhaust back pressure sensor) tube are the first three that come to mind... I'd check all these first and see what it gains you...

Joe

 

Welcome to FTE ! You ought to consider a DP-tuner, none-better, though I wouldn't expect a big increase in fuel mileage. Obvious things that come to mind are: tire pressure, air intake, synthetic lubricants, and your speed. You might want to read this paper too:

http://h1.ripway.com/nlemerise/Ford/MPG_Secrets_Whitepaper.pdf

 

Just jumping in, I average 12.5 in the city, have found nothing that helps, but I also have a cap. Next, my milage dropped in Octobor, which here on this site some say it may have something to do with the Sulfer requirement change. I have by "mistake"put in off road diesel and instantly got better gas milage. So I then did it again, not so much of a mistake this time, and again, better gas milage.

 

Not getting in your buisness, Be Carfull Off Road diesel can cost you big $$$ if you get caught?

 

No, I know, I am with ya, but it still bothers the heck out of me that they make these changes for the enviroment, but how much does it help if I am burning more???

 

What gear ratios are you runnng?

 

Izzy351 is spot on, check these three things first, IC boots are the easiest, then take off EBPS tube and clean it out/replace it if it has holes. Next look for exhaust leaks at the up pipes from the manifolds to the turbo collector if they are leaking you see black exhaust soot around them and those areas.

 

Hey Joe, Izzy, even with the increase he is geeting with the cleaner, you would still go that route? I only ask, because I saw nothing with the diesel clean when I tried it.

 

These three things listed are/should-be-done maintenance items anyway. They are not MODS just known issues the 7.3L has from time to time that can cause poor fuel economy and I'm not saying that these are bad on his truck, but only as a point in the right direction. Down pipe and Hypertech chip is not the answer to dramatically improve fuel economy.

 

Please know, I only ask because of the drastic improvement from the cleaner. As far as the Hypertech giving better gas milage, hell no, it does not help, but fun.

 

These three things listed are/should-be-done maintenance items anyway. They are not MODS just known issues the 7.3L has from time to time that can cause poor fuel economy and I'm not saying that these are bad on his truck, but only as a point in the right direction. Down pipe and Hypertech chip is not the answer to dramatically improve fuel economy.

 

I notice some increase in mileage (BTW, it ain't "Gas" mileage -- Just thought I'd mention it... ) when I run DK. I also just ran my first tank of B20 to see how it did, and so far, so good. I was hoping to get a good idea of in-town mileage running BD, but my dang PCM reset twice resetting the trip odometer (that's another story). Oh well -- I'll try it again later.

But anyway back to the subject, that poor of mileage I would think is related to an actual problem like the three things I mentioned. Like 7.3 said, they're fairly common issues but due to the cost of fuel these days, you get instant return on the fix (es). Definitely worth looking into, since it probably would take maybe an hour to check all three.

Joe

 

Search any thread on poor fuel economy and you will find these three issues everytime along with Clean Oil, The Correct Oil (API rating), Clean Fuel Filter.

 

Have you checked the actual fuel pressure?...