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Car Forum / Dodge / Dodge Trucks / May 2008Gas mileage keeps going down.
I have a 97 Dodge 1500 with a 5.9 under the hood. When I bought it 11 years ago, it got 17 mpg. Now I'm seeing 10 mpg. I know that the topper robs me of 1-2 mpg but can anyone tell me where the other 5 went? I keep it tuned, oiled and haven't driven like a maniac in 20 years. Lou > I have a 97 Dodge 1500 with a 5.9 under the hood. When I bought it 11 > years ago, it got 17 mpg. Now I'm seeing 10 mpg. I know that the topper > robs me of 1-2 mpg but can anyone tell me where the other 5 went? I keep > it tuned, oiled and haven't driven like a maniac in 20 years. > Lou just a stab but maybe the o2 sensors are going south, also its a 97 so its 11 years old, maybe the catalyst is plugging up? Tires inflated to 35 psi? (or what ever the door asks for on the tire info placard) using E85 fuel? I understand many see a drop when they switch to e85 over regular petrol. could be other things, could be a lot of things.  SignatureChris On May 23, 6:51 am, "Christopher D. Thompson" <nos...@nospam.nospam> wrote: > > I have a 97 Dodge 1500 with a 5.9 under the hood. When I bought it 11 > > years ago, it got 17 mpg. Now I'm seeing 10 mpg. I know that the topper [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > -- > Chris Don't use E85 but there is ethenol in the fuel. Tires have more than half life left and are inflated. Don't know where to look for O2 sensors or catalyst. lou >On May 23, 6:51 am, "Christopher D. Thompson" <nos...@nospam.nospam> >wrote: [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] >Don't know where to look for O2 sensors or catalyst. > lou Personally I would suspect you'd see a code of the O2 sensor(s) were off, but that could be the problem. The O2 sensors are in the exhaust system, one in front and one behind the cat typically--not sure about your truck, it may have four with two cats. >>On May 23, 6:51 am, "Christopher D. Thompson" <nos...@nospam.nospam> >>wrote: [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > system, one in front and one behind the cat typically--not sure about > your truck, it may have four with two cats. I had an older Dakota that dropped milage like that without throwing codes. Someone suggested the O2 Sensor, which I changed out, and I got my milage back. FMB (North Mexico) ** Posted from http://www.teranews.com ** >> Personally I would suspect you'd see a code of the O2 sensor(s) were >> off, but that could be the problem. The O2 sensors are in the exhaust [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > ** Posted from http://www.teranews.com ** exactly the upstream o2 sensor (the one(s) closest to the engine) has everything to do with fuel management. It is what tells the computer "too much" or "too little" in regard to what amount of fuel its putting in the engine while its running. The sensor reading could be off and the computer would have no way to tell. the only thing the computer can tell about the o2 sensor is whether or not it is switching (rich/lean) as it should. and that is what the computer watches for in order to set or throw a code. the catalyst is a "muffler like" device in the exhaust pipe. what i mean by that is the shape is similar to a muffler. you will find it between the muffler and the engine. This is not a part that most could replace on their own as the removal usually involves the use of a torch. SignatureChris >and haven't driven >like a maniac in 20 years. > Lou You *really* expect us to believe that? The 'new' blends of piss and gasoline will reduce your mileage some as well. I think you are underestimating the loss due to the topper but I could be wrong on that since I can't see it. Does it seem to perform properly still? I could see a failure to lock the TCC as a possible issue, draging brakes, or other similar thing, but I suspect your fuel is the main issue. The mandated blending of ethonal <sp?> hurts mileage (you burn the same amount of gasoline per mile, however, so it doesn't (IMHO) help any on pollution). > >and haven't driven > >like a maniac in 20 years. [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > ethonal <sp?> hurts mileage (you burn the same amount of gasoline per > mile, however, so it doesn't (IMHO) help any on pollution). Yes, it still performs properly. No dragging brakes or inlaws. It's not empty but maybe 50lbs in the back. What is a TCC? And can the O2 sensors be changed in my driveway or do I need to take it in? Lou >> >and haven't driven >> >like a maniac in 20 years. [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > changed in my driveway or do I need to take it in? > Lou the TCC is the Torque Converter Clutch in the transmission. the o2 sensor can be changed in the driveway, takes a 7/8" wrench, some penetrating oil and a lot of patience. they do make special sockets to remove them but i've found that if i can get a good 6 point combination wrench on the thing i've had better luck getting them out. SignatureChris Ok guys I've had a chance to crawl under there and find the O2 sensors. While under there I see that the entire muffler is split. Its not noisy but I might as well change it. I can't remember the last time I had the catalyst changed if ever so I might as well replace that with the O2 sensors on both sides. Thanks for all the advice. Lou > Ok guys I've had a chance to crawl under there and find the O2 sensors. > While under there I see that the entire muffler is split. Its not noisy [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > advice. > Lou if your muffler is split and your considering replacing the cat and o2 sensors its well worth it to take the thing to a muffler shop and have them do the sensors and the cat/muffler. SignatureChris On May 23, 6:19 pm, "Christopher D. Thompson" <nos...@nospam.nospam> wrote: > > Ok guys I've had a chance to crawl under there and find the O2 sensors. > > While under there I see that the entire muffler is split. Its not noisy [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > -- > Chris Oh I agree Chris, my days of tearing this stuff apart are way over. I'll be taking it into the shop next week for the whole thing. Lou |
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