95' 302 8MPG running cold??
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 377
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95' 302 8MPG running cold??
Help!!!
I have a 95' F150 SC 4X4 with 5.0L. I am only getting about 8 MPG city. My question is the temperature. It only warms up to the letter n in " normal" on temperature gage. It had the factory thermostat ( 192 ) in it and I replaced it with 197 degree one thinking that was the problem. Position on temp gage did not change. On all my other gages the needle is dead center of gage when normal. The letter n is barely in safe zone on the cool side. Could the gage or temp. sensor be bad causing over choking and if so how do i check it. Thanks for any feedback at all.
I have a 95' F150 SC 4X4 with 5.0L. I am only getting about 8 MPG city. My question is the temperature. It only warms up to the letter n in " normal" on temperature gage. It had the factory thermostat ( 192 ) in it and I replaced it with 197 degree one thinking that was the problem. Position on temp gage did not change. On all my other gages the needle is dead center of gage when normal. The letter n is barely in safe zone on the cool side. Could the gage or temp. sensor be bad causing over choking and if so how do i check it. Thanks for any feedback at all.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 150
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95' 302 8MPG running cold??
as far as running on the "n" in normal, my f 150 with the 302 runs at the same temp. I think this is because mine has an auxiliary trans cooler. The trans temp will affect the engine temp alo, and unless you are doing some decent towing, my bet is your engine will not ever get very warm at all. That being said, i only get about 8-10 mpg when i am doing alot of starting and stopping (which is normal). If you want to let your engine run at a higher temp, try installing an electric fan with a built in t/stat in place of your mech fan. And set the op. temp at whatever you want it to be.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 250
Likes: 1
From: South Carolina
95' 302 8MPG running cold??
Ok I hope this helps.... I installed an air/fuel ratio gauge in my truck. It let me do a few things. I can adjust my fuel pressure regulator to richen or lean full throttle runs, and monitor the change, and I can watch when the truck goes into closed loop. the gauge just looses it's mind and jumps all over the place. At first, it was very distracting, but after I got used to it, I was able to use it to taylor my driving habits. Watching when I gave it more gas then I should because it would drop into open loop and go rich. My point is, if you install an air/fuel ratio gauge, it won't solve any problems, but will help diagnos and can be helpfull long term. All of that said....I have a few ?'s. Does the heater blow hot? Are the spark plugs burning very black? Can you always hear the fan, or can you hear the fan come in and out ? I only ask so we can try to get enough data to help.... Good luck, Hippie.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2003
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95' 302 8MPG running cold??
the fuel ratio gage is interesting. As far as the other stuff:
Heater blows very hot,
Plugs look clean and white.
and I don't think I've ever heard the fan kick in yet I've only owned the vehicle for about 2000 miles now,
but hears a question***
I've been reading up on performance chips but none of them seem to target fuel mileage just power and my wheels are mainly just transportation and looks--not for pulling. Some say you may gain increase MPG.. May being the key word. I'm going to start simple with a K&N filter and a chip if I can figure them all out. Hope this gives you more details and thanks. Oh ya, as far as I know the truck is all stock.
Heater blows very hot,
Plugs look clean and white.
and I don't think I've ever heard the fan kick in yet I've only owned the vehicle for about 2000 miles now,
but hears a question***
I've been reading up on performance chips but none of them seem to target fuel mileage just power and my wheels are mainly just transportation and looks--not for pulling. Some say you may gain increase MPG.. May being the key word. I'm going to start simple with a K&N filter and a chip if I can figure them all out. Hope this gives you more details and thanks. Oh ya, as far as I know the truck is all stock.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 250
Likes: 1
From: South Carolina
95' 302 8MPG running cold??
Well it sounds like you have the same truck that I started with, and mine got way better mpg. I actully got 16 on the highway before I started all that I did. Ok so how about tire size? Are they stock (small)?
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 377
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95' 302 8MPG running cold??
Tires= Roadmaster 30X9.5--R15LT.
Seem to be a good mud tire. Also how do I tell what transmission and gears I have. The trans. is auto w/OD and the OD kick-out on the shifter.
Seem to be a good mud tire. Also how do I tell what transmission and gears I have. The trans. is auto w/OD and the OD kick-out on the shifter.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 250
Likes: 1
From: South Carolina
95' 302 8MPG running cold??
Trans is prob an AODE, that's what is in mine. As for gears, could be 3.31 or 3.55. Check the tag on the diff. It will say. But the tires arn't helping you. Have you fixed your speedo? or is it still off alittle because of the taller tires? If it is off, you are actually traveling farther than the speedo says, so mpg is not acurate.
Still just probing for info. Hope to help soon. lol
Still just probing for info. Hope to help soon. lol
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 632
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From: State College, Tunkhannoc
95' 302 8MPG running cold??
my trucks getting about 11 mpg right now on the highway and about 9 around town. it was getting 7-8 before i changed the fuel filter. im running 3.31 gears and 31x10.50 tires. i haven't adjusted my speedometer since putting on the bigger tires so i still have to do that. my next thing to check is my exhaust because its all stock, and i have been noticing a loss of power going along with the loss in gas mileage so possibly the kitties are clogged up. quickest and cheapest things to replace are the pcv valve, and fuel and air filters. hippie, im curious- waht kind of gas mileage does your truck get right now the way it is?
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 250
Likes: 1
From: South Carolina
95' 302 8MPG running cold??
Right now, I am getting 11.5 to 12 around town and 13.5 on the highway. I was very proud, but it will take al ong time at that to make up for the cost of all that I did to make it get there. lol.
And that is with my speedo dead on the money. I have had two different hand held gps units that read speed, and they were both within 1 mph of my speedo at 45, 55, and 65.
And that is with my speedo dead on the money. I have had two different hand held gps units that read speed, and they were both within 1 mph of my speedo at 45, 55, and 65.