Excessive fuel use
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Central PA
Excessive fuel use
I have a 95 f350 Powerstroke with 165,000 on it and I've had it for about 5 months now. I usually get 12 - 14 mpg in town but all of the sudden, with the cold weather and latest tank of fuel, I'm using a half a tank to go 50 miles! That's maybe 5 mpg and the only thing that's changed is the temperature outside. This can't be normal. My 1990 always got 10 -12 in town. Anybody have anything they know of I can look at??
Also, as an aside; I've got cold start issues even when plugged in it seems and after it starts there is not throttle. The rpm's max out at about 1300 and you can't go down the road until it starts to warm up. Once it's warmed up it's fine and then we go back to the lousy fuel mileage issue in the first paragraph. Any help with this one??
Also, as an aside; I've got cold start issues even when plugged in it seems and after it starts there is not throttle. The rpm's max out at about 1300 and you can't go down the road until it starts to warm up. Once it's warmed up it's fine and then we go back to the lousy fuel mileage issue in the first paragraph. Any help with this one??
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Marietta, OH/Weirton, WV
Sounds like a massive fuel leak somewhere. Check all around the fuel filter housing for leaks look under the truck and around the tanks too...Does it smoke alot? If so what color? As for the cold it sounds like the EBPV is closing like it should, but its suppose to cycle on and off when you hit the throttle until its warm...Is it cycling? or is it just shutting and sticking closed...if its sticking closed then unplug it and that will cure that problem. The plug is on the bottom of the turbo compressor housing its just a 2 prong connector...simply unplug it.
------------------Jeremy
------------------Jeremy
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: MICHIGAN
Welcome to FTE. I agree with jboard, you have a fuel leak. Winterized diesel usally drops the MPG a mile or 2 but not as drastic as you stated. Check your engine oil to see if it's getting higher. You make have fuel going into the crancase. Unpluging the EBPV should help your cold weather throttle response as staed above too.
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Senior User
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From: Central PA
Thanks for the replies. You have no idea how much I've been hoping to come across a board like this.
I thought fuel leak too but I can't see or find anything. I did not think of the oil but I went right out and checked it and it's fine (down a quart but...). No indication of anything forgein in there. I would think if there's a sudden leak somewhere it would be pretty substantial and I'd have a puddle somewhere when I'm idling but I've seen nothing. No wet areas on the side of the motor either.
I read somewhere that a bad thermostat might cause a problem but that was on a gas engine. Would there be such an issue with a diesel? I have no problems with heat or overheating, as a matter of fact you could bake bread in this thing with the heat on high but I'm no mechanic.
Thanks again
I thought fuel leak too but I can't see or find anything. I did not think of the oil but I went right out and checked it and it's fine (down a quart but...). No indication of anything forgein in there. I would think if there's a sudden leak somewhere it would be pretty substantial and I'd have a puddle somewhere when I'm idling but I've seen nothing. No wet areas on the side of the motor either.
I read somewhere that a bad thermostat might cause a problem but that was on a gas engine. Would there be such an issue with a diesel? I have no problems with heat or overheating, as a matter of fact you could bake bread in this thing with the heat on high but I'm no mechanic.
Thanks again
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Whitewright, Tx
How did you determine the "1/2 tank" simply looking at the gauge or by filling up the tank. As said above for you to use that much fuel you have to have a leak somewhere unless you have a fuel sending unit/gauge problem.
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Marietta, OH/Weirton, WV
My fuel gauge goes 1/4 tank past F and has about 2 gal left when it says E...The first 150 miles it barely comes off F but after that it moves like a 1/4 tank to where its suppose to be...So as you can see these gauges arent exacty the best for accuracy. Do you have the same problem on both tanks?
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Senior User
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From: Central PA
It's just that it is a sudden issue coinciding with the last tank of fuel and the cold weather. Just going by the gauge for not but for the last 5 months this thing has been "normal". Never an issue with the gauge or amount of fuel, averaged 12 in town and 15 on the highway.
I remember the previous owner saying that since they used to pull a camper that they never used it in the winter. It stayed parked or in a garage. Now I'm wondering if there was another issue but I can't imagine what would cause it.
I remember the previous owner saying that since they used to pull a camper that they never used it in the winter. It stayed parked or in a garage. Now I'm wondering if there was another issue but I can't imagine what would cause it.
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Joined: Dec 2006
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Please, PLSEASE provide real MPG between fill UPS not the GAUGE.
Originally Posted by fludoc
It's just that it is a sudden issue coinciding with the last tank of fuel and the cold weather. Just going by the gauge for not but for the last 5 months this thing has been "normal". Never an issue with the gauge or amount of fuel, averaged 12 in town and 15 on the highway.
I remember the previous owner saying that since they used to pull a camper that they never used it in the winter. It stayed parked or in a garage. Now I'm wondering if there was another issue but I can't imagine what would cause it.
I remember the previous owner saying that since they used to pull a camper that they never used it in the winter. It stayed parked or in a garage. Now I'm wondering if there was another issue but I can't imagine what would cause it.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Rhode Island
iirc, if it is extremely cold, the computer will limit the engine to 1200-1300 RPM for the first few minutes after startup, to let the engine warm up and the oil flow, as well as warm up the transmission.