2.8L TERRIBLE mpg

[FordFanatic]

So I've heard haha and thanks man! The front 17 gallon tanks gauge works, but the rear 13 gallon gauge does not, I'm most likely going to use the rear tank as a reserve. But I don't plan on getting dirt in the fuel system by running it out of fuel...

 

[kimcrwbr1]

The Idle control motor does several things. To check it is working correct after the engine is up to normal temp turn the ignition off and the plunger should fully extend to curb idle position. Disconnect the connector and then start the engine and it should idle around 1200 rpms. To adjust the curb idle loosen the screw for the motor slide mount and adjust the position of the motor for the proper curb idle speed lock it down and then plug the idle motor back in, it should idle right down. When you turn on the A/C the idle control motor will maintain proper rpms with the added load on the engine. The computer remembers the throttle positions like when you shift it into gear on a automatic it will advance the throttle automatically same with in gear with the ac energized. I believe it raises engine rpms when you shift manually also. That is why you adjust the idle air mix screws with the motor disconnected because the computer changes throttle position to maintain idle rpms. Believe me adjusting the idle air needles will save you tons of money in fuel as well as increase performance. The 2.8 likes it rich on the idle air adjustment and the skinny pedal responds alot better.

 

[FordFanatic]

I'll have to play with it, like I said it was stalling on me before. I'm gonna have to warm it up and use the EEC-IV code reader tomorrow...

 

[Lil-Pony]

Read the codes, then reset the ecm, cycle the motor a couple times and read the codes again.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Before you read the codes erase the memory first but running the KOEO test and when it starts spitting out codes stop the test and wait for at least 30 seconds before you turn the ignition off. Then disconnect the battery for 1/2 an hour to reset the computer. Then start it and run it about 20 minutes at medium speeds until the engine fully warms up and do the KOER test. When you get thedynamic response command a single beep or light quickly press the throttle down fully for a couple seconds and get ready to start writing numbers down. It is easier to have someone call out the numbers as another person writes them down in case you get multiple codes. Then let us know the results.

 

[FordFanatic]

The code reader I have has a NORM and RMST mode and on the NORM mode it will scan and then display the codes after I believe, on the RMST mode it spits all the codes out while scanning I believe...

 

[wildbill23c]

Just because your truck isn't spewing smoke, or seem to be running rich, doesn't mean the carburetor is tuned right. These carbs are pretty temperamental, and if you don't get them dialed in just right the truck will run great one day, a slight weather change will cause it to run weird the next day, or temperature changes will cause issues too. My 84 Bronco 2 I have now, would just die on me when I first got it until I realized after tinkering with it hot and cold that the choke didn't work. I took and disconnected the choke, and tied the choke plate to the full open position and ever since then it has ran great, but that was after about a half hour of adjusting the carburetor.

The previous owner's lack of brains and mechanical knowledge really screwed things up on my Bronco 2, to the point where I don't even think the computer in it does anything anymore. Regardless though it took me about a week to get mine dialed in, to where it runs pretty good now.

When I first got my bronco 2 home it ran like crap and I swear a trip across town and back (about 9 miles) would eat up about 1/8 of a tank of gas, the carburetor was so far out of adjustment it was just like it was pouring gas into the engine. Plus it was leaking fuel from the front of the carburetor where the accelerator pump was, so now with a different carburetor and tuned up it runs really good.

 

[Eric Kropp]

I agree with the majority of the posts regarding the mileage. Do a good tune up. I pulled my engine out once to change all the gaskets and was amazed at the number of vacuum leaks I fixed, so I would be on the look out for vacuum leaks too. A really good carb rebuild will be in order. My Ranger gets 18 around town and 23 on the highway and has 365,000 miles on the engine and the rest of the truck. 2.8, A/C, PS, PB, Long bed, 4x4, dual tanks, 3" lift, 30X9.50 tires

Eric

 

[Eric Kropp]

Oh yeah one more thing, mine is fully smogged, California you know!

Eric

 

[wildbill23c]

Oh yeah one more thing, mine is fully smogged, California you know!

Eric

There's your problem.

 

[ranger2k]

I had a power valve on the carb go bad and give me terrible mileage. Replaced it and cured the problem

 

[fordboy077]

i got a 85 2.8 i git 20 mpg i hate win pepole talk shit about a 2.8 what u have to do is chang the carb to a old scholl 302 carb dule exaus git a distorbutor for a 78 musting2 with vancum andvans u will have to wire in the old school bran box to run it not hard to do git the distorbutor hanrs form a 70 moled f150 and ur good to go

 

[wildbill23c]

i got a 85 2.8 i git 20 mpg i hate win pepole talk shit about a 2.8 what u have to do is chang the carb to a old scholl 302 carb dule exaus git a distorbutor for a 78 musting2 with vancum andvans u will have to wire in the old school bran box to run it not hard to do git the distorbutor hanrs form a 70 moled f150 and ur good to go

I got a couple of minor things to take care of this week on my 84 B2 2.8L and it will be good to go for longer trips outside of the town I live in, maybe then I'll be able to get a good idea of my highway fuel economy. Right now I'm averaging a solid 17mpg around town sometimes close to 18mpg, but its fallen a bit with the colder weather as I let it run for a few minutes before I drive it. Haven't seen lower than 16mpg in town so far, and that was with a bad carburetor.

 

[kennyjames]

Sounds like a perfectly normal 2.8 to me. Mine was no different even after being tuned up head to toe, even with a new engine. You're driving a steel brick with a tiny carb'd engine and three speed transmission. Prius it is not.

 

[swampy]

My 1984 B2 with a 2.8 and C5 (no lockup TC) gets 18-20 hwy on a good day, but it no longer has a computer. I run a Holley/Weber 5200, and stock points ignition from a 1975 Mustang II. But we don't have smog tests, so I really don't know how it would fare in that dept.