 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
Car Forum / Dodge / Dodge Trucks / April 2007mpg drop and loss of umph.
My truck recently had a massive MPG drop - from almost 17MPG down to just a tad over 13mpg, and I was noticing today that it's lacking in power too - used to practically create g-forces when I accelerate, now it's decidedly sluggish. I'd written off the mpg change to the Opal gas we're forced to use in our vehicles here in central Australia (don't get me started -grr- but in short Opal is unsniffable. It also destroys engines built before about 1986 but is *supposed* to be safe for newer vehicles) Anyway, someone told me it could just be that I have a fouled spark. Quite possible, haven't touched the sparks since I got the vehicle (for those who don't know me: 2001 Dakota 4x4 4.7l v8). Is that the most likely reason? Is there anything else I should be looking at? I don't have a spark puller, so I'll likely drop it off at the mechanic's. I needed to take it in anyway, for PM before we go on our massive quasi-4x4 odyssey across the Australian Outback to the coast. Thanks, as always, for any advice. jmc > My truck recently had a massive MPG drop - from almost 17MPG down to just > a tad over 13mpg, and I was noticing today that it's lacking in power [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > > jmc IIRC, when that happened to my '93 Dakota, it was the O2 Sensor. Changed it out and back to normal. I'm not sure about the '01, if it sets a code or not or how many there are. Tom or Mike will help out I'm sure. Good luck on your odyssey and take more photos. FMB (North Mexico) >> My truck recently had a massive MPG drop - from almost 17MPG down to just >> a tad over 13mpg, and I was noticing today that it's lacking in power [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > FMB > (North Mexico) Could very well be the sensor. I also wonder about the plugs. Six year and how many miles? That coupled with a questionable gas that might require a change in heat range from what is in it. >That coupled with a questionable gas that might require a >change in heat range from what is in it. If it is a blended fuel with a lower BTU content MPG will drop and changing plug heatrange is not going to help this unless they are loading up badly and fouling. ----------------- TheSnoMan.com >>That coupled with a questionable gas that might require a >>change in heat range from what is in it. > >unless they are > loading up badly and fouling. That is my point. The truck is in Aussie land so we don't know what the fuel is. > ----------------- > TheSnoMan.com > >>That coupled with a questionable gas that might require a > >>change in heat range from what is in it. [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > - Show quoted text - Yes we do Roy, it's 'roo piss! Suddenly, without warning, azwiley1 exclaimed (04-Apr-07 2:18 AM): >>>> That coupled with a questionable gas that might require a >>>> change in heat range from what is in it. [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > Yes we do Roy, it's 'roo piss! Just about. Regular fuel was ok, though higher octane than my truck is supposed to get - manual says 87, it's been getting 91-93 octane for years now (was in England before. Now, because 'sniffing petrol' has become such a problem with the younger generation, we're forced to use Opal. It's a fact that Opal damages older vehicles. The proponents insist that it doesn't damage newer engines, but who knows? It's a very political thing. So I'm stuck with a not very palatable choice: 1. Fuel with Opal and take the chance I'll damage my truck 2. Fuel with Premium and take the chance (per my truck manual) that I'll damage my truck 3. Leave my truck in the drive for the remainder of our tour. Roy, what do you mean, "change in heat range"? jmc > Suddenly, without warning, azwiley1 exclaimed (04-Apr-07 2:18 AM): > [quoted text clipped - 36 lines] > > - Show quoted text - I have never heard of a vehicle getting damaged from a higher octane level. Not to say that it couldn't happen, but I ran 93 premium in my 97 Ram 5.2l all the time and never had a problem with it. I cuurently run (on occasion) 93, or 87 with octane boost, sometimes (once in a very rare instance) both in my Cheby and NEVER had a problem. >1. Fuel with Opal and take the chance I'll damage my truck >2. Fuel with Premium and take the chance (per my truck manual) that >I'll damage my truck >3. Leave my truck in the drive for the remainder of our tour. I do not know the exact formulation of Opal fuel but no engine has ever been damaged by using 91 or 93 octane in it and any one that tries to tell you otherwise is purely BS-ing you. ----------------- TheSnoMan.com >>1. Fuel with Opal and take the chance I'll damage my truck >>2. Fuel with Premium and take the chance (per my truck manual) that [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > ever been damaged by using 91 or 93 octane in it and any one that > tries to tell you otherwise is purely BS-ing you. WOW! azwiley1: >>>1. Fuel with Opal and take the chance I'll damage my truck >>>2. Fuel with Premium and take the chance (per my truck manual) that [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > WOW! Almost, punkin. You gotta do it like Big Roy showed you: "WOW!! That's all, just WOW!!" http://groups.google.co.in/group/alt.trucks.ford/msg/4a7e97bd292b6499  SignatureIn girum imus nocte et consumimur igni > azwiley1: > [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > > - Show quoted text - You need to get f.cked, get a life and stop interjecting your troll vomit where you are not welcome. You are a f.cking waste of space and O2 and are only trying to start sh.t AGAIN you f.cking cum breathed cock sucker > Suddenly, without warning, azwiley1 exclaimed (04-Apr-07 2:18 AM): >>> [quoted text clipped - 29 lines] > > Roy, what do you mean, "change in heat range"? If the poor fuel is causing carbon to build up, a hotter plug may help burn it. A hot plug has a longer insulator. It helps to burn off deposit's and carbon that may foul a colder plug. You have to remove the plugs and see what the electrodes look like. If you find that one or two are fouled you are going to have to find out why. Hopefully that when you pull the plugs the all look about the same but it is doubtful based on what you have described. As somebody mentioned a set of wires as well as plugs should cure what ail's it. But looking at the plugs is a must imo. > jmc >>Suddenly, without warning, azwiley1 exclaimed (04-Apr-07 2:18 AM): >> [quoted text clipped - 41 lines] > described. As somebody mentioned a set of wires as well as plugs should cure > what ail's it. But looking at the plugs is a must imo. Roy meant look at http://www.ingfatrygg.se/Spark_plug_diagnostics.html SignatureIn girum imus nocte et consumimur igni >>>Suddenly, without warning, azwiley1 exclaimed (04-Apr-07 2:18 AM): >>> [quoted text clipped - 43 lines] > > Roy meant look at http://www.ingfatrygg.se/Spark_plug_diagnostics.html Well, well, my little troll is back. not a bad link. But I really meant what I posted, thanks >>>>Suddenly, without warning, azwiley1 exclaimed (04-Apr-07 2:18 AM): >>>> [quoted text clipped - 46 lines] >Well, well, my little troll is back. not a bad link. But I really meant what >I posted, thanks now roy, it would seem that you have a new friend. think of him sort of like a dog......you know, following you around every where you go........scootin his a.s across the floor.....lookin like the fool that he is. On Apr 4, 4:02 pm, the...@whatever.net wrote: > >>>>Suddenly, without warning, azwiley1 exclaimed (04-Apr-07 2:18 AM): > [quoted text clipped - 57 lines] > > - Show quoted text - Roy, weren't you warned about carring those troll cookies in your pocket! >>>>>Suddenly, without warning, azwiley1 exclaimed (04-Apr-07 2:18 AM): >>>>> [quoted text clipped - 58 lines] > now roy, it would seem that you have a new friend. think of him sort > of like a dog Hell, you were looking for something to do here's a toy for ya. Already have a dog, please don't insult her. ......you know, following you around every where you > go. Then it has a problem. No isp set up yet in FL. .......scootin his a.s across the floor.....lookin like the fool > that he is. Maybe it is time for somebody to do a who is and find out who this troll really is I don't really have time to play proctologist with this fool. Trying to get things in order here so I can head south for a bit. Trying to get > things in order here so I can head south for a bit. what route you gonna be taking through GA? Signature____________________________________________ Chris 05 CTD 06 Liberty CRD > Trying to get >> things in order here so I can head south for a bit. > > what route you gonna be taking through GA? I'll be on I-95. Stopping probably at exit 3 to top off. FL gas is usually a lot higher than GA. > ____________________________________________ > Chris > 05 CTD > 06 Liberty CRD >> Trying to get >>> things in order here so I can head south for a bit. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >I'll be on I-95. Stopping probably at exit 3 to top off. FL gas is usually a >lot higher than GA. That's because GA doesn't waste money mowing along the sholders, building comfort stations, repairing roads,............. beekeep >>> Trying to get >>>> things in order here so I can head south for a bit. [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > beekeep South Carolina does and the gas is pretty cheap. >>>> Trying to get >>>>> things in order here so I can head south for a bit. [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > South Carolina does and the gas is pretty cheap. so does GA too despite the sarcasm used in previous post. Signature____________________________________________ Chris 05 CTD 06 Liberty CRD >>> Trying to get >>>> things in order here so I can head south for a bit. [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > beekeep who needs comfort stations?...there's a seat in your car! and grass in GA is required to be cut before its 5 foot tall! we do fix the dirt roads actually the road system here isn't that bad. I've seen much much worse. but yea not that many rest areas. some states seem to have them every 5 miles. Signature____________________________________________ Chris 05 CTD 06 Liberty CRD >>>I'll be on I-95. Stopping probably at exit 3 to top off. FL gas is usually a >>>lot higher than GA. [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] >but yea not that many rest areas. some states seem to have them every 5 >miles. Does GA have any along I-95? I'll admit its been awhile since I have been through there but i don'r remember any. beekeep >>>>I'll be on I-95. Stopping probably at exit 3 to top off. FL gas is usually a >>>>lot higher than GA. [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > > beekeep too tell you the truth i don't know its been a long time since i was on I95 not a road i use much as I'm not on that side of GA. I75, I475, and I16 are my neck of the woods. Signature____________________________________________ Chris 05 CTD 06 Liberty CRD > "Beryl" <terrapin@coolmail.com> wrote in message >>>"jmc" <NOnewsgroupsSPAM@NOjodiBODY.HOMEus> wrote in message [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > Well, well, my little troll is back. not a bad link. But I really meant what > I posted, thanks Of course, but "If you find that one or two are fouled" was pretty useless. SignatureIn girum imus nocte et consumimur igni >> "Beryl" <terrapin@coolmail.com> wrote in message >>>>"jmc" <NOnewsgroupsSPAM@NOjodiBODY.HOMEus> wrote in message [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > Of course, but "If you find that one or two are fouled" was pretty > useless. Waiting for your suggestion to solve the OP's problem. >>>"Beryl" <terrapin@coolmail.com> wrote in message >>> [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > > Waiting for your suggestion to solve the OP's problem. OK. I suggest that he compare the spark plugs he looks at with the pictures and descriptions at http://www.ingfatrygg.se/Spark_plug_diagnostics.html. But keep waiting, I can suggest it a 3rd time. SignatureIn girum imus nocte et consumimur igni >>>>"Beryl" <terrapin@coolmail.com> wrote in message >>>> [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > > But keep waiting, I can suggest it a 3rd time. I would love to see HIM check HIS plugs! Hel this will be IMPOSSIBLE! >>>>>"Beryl" <terrapin@coolmail.com> wrote in message >>>>>>>"jmc" <NOnewsgroupsSPAM@NOjodiBODY.HOMEus> wrote in message [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > > I would love to see HIM check HIS plugs! Hel this will be IMPOSSIBLE! The page EVERYTHING YOU'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT SPARK PLUGS BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK doesn't mention everything. Can you tell us what a "whiskered" plug is? SignatureIn girum imus nocte et consumimur igni >>>>>>"Beryl" <terrapin@coolmail.com> wrote in message >>>>>>>>"jmc" <NOnewsgroupsSPAM@NOjodiBODY.HOMEus> wrote in message [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] > WERE AFRAID TO ASK doesn't mention everything. Can you tell us what a > "whiskered" plug is? Gee, what else did you read about while you were searching for that link? I haven't heard that term in years. Usually associated with high octane, high compression engines plug fouling. >> I would love to see HIM check HIS plugs! Hel this will be IMPOSSIBLE! > > The page EVERYTHING YOU'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT SPARK PLUGS BUT > WERE AFRAID TO ASK doesn't mention everything. Can you tell us what a > "whiskered" plug is? What difference does it make assclown cock sucker. If you were more then anything but a waste of life and space troll you would know jmc is a HER you stupid f.ck. Get back to your idols dick and stay out of the sand box where you dont belong >>> I would love to see HIM check HIS plugs! Hel this will be IMPOSSIBLE! >> [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > you stupid f.ck. Get back to your idols dick and stay out of the sand box > where you dont belong Now, now, he's doing the best he can. I still think that if somebody has "who is" he may prove interesting. I wish I had the time to mess around but I don't. Suddenly, without warning, Roy exclaimed (07-Apr-07 12:19 AM): >>>> I would love to see HIM check HIS plugs! Hel this will be IMPOSSIBLE! >>> The page EVERYTHING YOU'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT SPARK PLUGS BUT [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > "who is" he may prove interesting. > I wish I had the time to mess around but I don't. Roy: I'm a she; I am a bit surprised you've forgotten, I've been here a while. Then again, I deliberately use a generic name, and after all don't post in pink with flowers <g>. Will you kids quit playing around? I'm trying to enjoy my coffee at my new house here, and you're disturbing the peace :) jmc > Suddenly, without warning, Roy exclaimed (07-Apr-07 12:19 AM): >>>>> [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] >> I wish I had the time to mess around but I don't. > Roy: I'm a she; I am and have been aware of that since you first started posting here some time ago. >I am a bit surprised you've forgotten, I haven't forgotten, but I am at a loss as to what you are talking about in this post. I think you may have mis read who posted what. Suddenly, without warning, Roy exclaimed (07-Apr-07 8:52 AM): >> Suddenly, without warning, Roy exclaimed (07-Apr-07 12:19 AM): >>>>>> I would love to see HIM check HIS plugs! Hel this will be IMPOSSIBLE! [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > I haven't forgotten, but I am at a loss as to what you are talking about in > this post. I think you may have mis read who posted what. I think I did. Apologies. I use Thunderbird with an extension that collapes quoted posts, made a bad assumption as to who was talking to whom. Can you ever forgive me? :-) jmc > Suddenly, without warning, Roy exclaimed (07-Apr-07 8:52 AM): >>> Suddenly, without warning, Roy exclaimed (07-Apr-07 12:19 AM): [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > collapes quoted posts, made a bad assumption as to who was talking to > whom. Can you ever forgive me? :-) But of course my dear. <VBG> Roy > jmc > >> I would love to see HIM check HIS plugs! Hel this will be IMPOSSIBLE! > > [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > stupid f.ck. Get back to your idols dick and stay out of the sand box where > you dont belong Dude, do you have any idea just how immature you sound? SignatureIf at first you don't succeed, you're not cut out for skydiving >> >> I would love to see HIM check HIS plugs! Hel this will be IMPOSSIBLE! >> > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > >Dude, do you have any idea just how immature you sound? tom. first, i think he does but i don't think he really cares too much. second, have you appointed yourself the moral anal barometer for the group now? you seem to want to insert yourself in that way. (no pun intended......honestly). and third, with the dude sh.t, do you know how immature you sound? >>> >> I would love to see HIM check HIS plugs! Hel this will be >>> >> IMPOSSIBLE! [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > for the group now? you seem to want to insert yourself in that way. > (no pun intended......honestly). Now, that was funny. > Dude, do you have any idea just how immature you sound? Or inmature? :) >> Dude, do you have any idea just how immature you sound? > > Or inmature? :) he's using SnoMan's spell checker ;) Signature____________________________________________ Chris 05 CTD 06 Liberty CRD > Dude, do you have any idea just how immature you sound? Dude, I did not know that I had to approve everything I said with you. Tom, seriously if you don't like what I say, then simply ignore me or K/F me, not hurt feelings here. Or we could continue on the way we are and when that cock sucker stop stirring the sh.t as he has in this thread, life will be "normal" again. > > Dude, do you have any idea just how immature you sound? > > Dude, I did not know that I had to approve everything I said with you. Tom, > seriously if you don't like what I say, then simply ignore me or K/F me, not > hurt feelings here. I never said that I had to approve anything that you say or do. All I was trying to do is is give you an unbiased opinion on these posts. It really is not a matter of what I like or dislike, especially since these posts are not directed toward me. > Or we could continue on the way we are and when that cock sucker stop > stirring the sh.t as he has in this thread, life will be "normal" again. What reason does he have to stop. Take it from someone who played both sides of this game. If he feels that he is correct AND you continue to react the way you are, he not only has no reason to stop, he will take every opportunity to make you look the fool. Max and I used to do this to each other all of the time. For a while it was funny but then it just gets old. SignatureIf at first you don't succeed, you're not cut out for skydiving >>>I would love to see HIM check HIS plugs! Hel this will be IMPOSSIBLE! >> [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > That's the green one that tickles! Me and Roy like to <snip> No no, punkin. Not a buttplug. We're talking about sparkplugs. SignatureIn girum imus nocte et consumimur igni >>>>I would love to see HIM check HIS plugs! Hel this will be IMPOSSIBLE! >>> [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >> >> That's the green one that tickles! Me and Roy like to Look! He's learned how to modify a post. How cute of him. > <snip> > > No no, punkin. Not a buttplug. Something I'm sure your very familiar with. Then again, you strike me as a person who wouldn't settle for a toy, you are too use to the real deal aren't ya? >We're talking about sparkplugs. Some of us know about them and how to read them, while you, on the other hand have to read about them, then play catch up. Suddenly, without warning, Roy exclaimed (05-Apr-07 7:18 AM): >>>> Roy, what do you mean, "change in heat range"? >>> [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > Well, well, my little troll is back. not a bad link. But I really meant what > I posted, thanks Thanks for the info, Roy, and Beryl, thanks for the link. It is useful. Just gotta beg, borrow or steal a spark puller, and have a look. Gotta change my oil too, if I can reach the darn filter! Fortunately, it's finally cooled off down into the high eighties here, so it's bearable to be out working on the truck. Or rather, pretending to, since everything I know, pretty much, I've learned here. Take that however you want to :) jmc > Anyway, someone told me it could just be that I have a fouled spark. > Quite possible, haven't touched the sparks since I got the vehicle (for > those who don't know me: 2001 Dakota 4x4 4.7l v8). I just traded in my 2001 Dakota Quad 4x4 4.7V8 Magnum and had that problem once, it was the wires. I replaced the sparkplug wires and found that one a burned (opened) at the base where the metal snap ring meets the plug and the cable. Checking the others (it was about 80K at the time), they were showing signs of wear. Replacing the wires with quality ones fixed it. SignatureLeythos spam999free@rrohio.com (remove 999 for proper email address) >My truck recently had a massive MPG drop - from almost 17MPG down to >just a tad over 13mpg, and I was noticing today that it's lacking in [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >in short Opal is unsniffable. It also destroys engines built before >about 1986 but is *supposed* to be safe for newer vehicles) I bought a 2000 with Dakota with 39K on it back in Nov 05.. Totally hideous on gas.. I could watch the fuel guage dropping as I tooled to work 3 miles away from my home. I accepted the fact that my truck was a gas guzzler and I was sorry for trading in my 96 S10 for it that was doing 28 highway with the 4.3... anyhow.. transmission started acting bizzar. upon doing some research I replaced the throttle position sensor $24.00US, and tossed in a new set of plugs. The truck woke up and was nice and snappy, and suddenly the fuel economy went way up and I was getting by on $22.00 worth of $2.35 a gallon of gas per week. I loved the truck and the performance of the 4.7 after that. >Anyway, someone told me it could just be that I have a fouled spark. >Quite possible, haven't touched the sparks since I got the vehicle (for [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >the mechanic's. I needed to take it in anyway, for PM before we go on >our massive quasi-4x4 odyssey across the Australian Outback to the coast. Change the air filter and use antisieze on the plugs if You have the 4.7. >Thanks, as always, for any advice. > >jmc Suddenly, without warning, jmc exclaimed (03-Apr-07 6:06 PM): > My truck recently had a massive MPG drop - from almost 17MPG down to > just a tad over 13mpg, and I was noticing today that it's lacking in [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > > jmc Well, turns out it was *only* the Opal. But got to that in a roundabout way. Called an autoshop (one I wanted to try 'cause they're closer than my regular one), gave symptoms, said I'd like to get my sparks/wires checked. Asked if I was using Opal. Yes. She said that I'd need a fuel system service (cost: AU$220) and switch to Premium and that'd put all to rights. After a quick convo with a clued coworker, called my usual service center, gave the same spiel. He immediately told me that *all* I needed to do was switch to Premium - that the symptoms are only because of the fuel. Didn't need ANY service. Said something to the effect that you can't get high from sniffing it, and neither can your vehicle (I didn't get that right, but close enough). He did say my truck probably needs new sparks anyway, as the truck has 50k on it now and they've never been changed. Does that seem right? End of story: Put Premium in my last fillup. Truck engine hasn't blown up (as warned in my user manual. Yea I exaggerate a mite) and runs much, much better. Still too early to see whether the gas mileage returns to something reasonable... Anyway, I had noticed that all the propaganda about Opal didn't mention two things: performance, and mileage. Just kept saying how it's safe for newer vehicles, meets whatever requirements, blahblahblah. Everyone I've talked to who's used it is now reporting the same symptoms I experienced. Every single one has noted reduced mpg (or kilometres/100 litres if they're Aussie). Most noticed a loss of power as well. Hell, I even noticed loss of power in the *lawnmower*! Which reminds me. Gotta go mow that 1/4 acre I now have, before sunset. Temp's probably dropped down to 90 by now... jmc |
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2010 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.