8mpg Problem

[spededdy]

I have a 1990 Ford Ranger, 4 cylinder manual, Im only getting about 8mpg, Its a old beater, I payed 350 bucks, Its a rustbucket, engine seems to run fine, but 8mpg how can i fix that?

 

[TheTopher]

Well if it's not running rough or anything I'd try and test the clutch first and go from there.

 

[Hewgull]

Pull codes to see if it has any stored ones.

 

[Dweano]

Old beater + Seafoam = Less of an old beater haha. I'd recommend seafoaming the engine. That stuff seems to work wonders

 

[adsm08]

vac leak, plugs, bad coil, bad driving (previous owner) needs oil changed, bad t-stat, needs fuel filter, needs fuel pump, bad regulator, EGR valve not opening, should i keep going?

 

[mini274]

im going for the tune up and all filters changed

 

[spededdy]

Well if it's not running rough or anything I'd try and test the clutch first and go from there.

how could the clutch affect it?

 

[Original_Ranger84]

I would look into the parking brake too. Does the truck feel like its really lacking power? and are you caculating mileage right? Like different tires off setting the speedo? Smaller gas tank then you think?

 

[D.J.]

gas tank size would have nothing to do with how mileage is figured! miles driven divided by gallons equals miles per gallon!

 

[daniel3507]

gas tank size would have nothing to do with how mileage is figured! miles driven divided by gallons equals miles per gallon!

Wouldnt you need to know the proper gas tank size to figure that?

 

[Original_Ranger84]

Actually it would... if you were calculating for a 16 gallon tank but yours was only 11 and your gauge doesn't work properly and you filled up calculating for the 15 gallons...

I personally go by how many gallons it takes to top off the tank then divide and add about 25 for tire difference, but my friend was always bragging about how he was getting 30mpg's out of his truck. when i found the problem... He was going by the inaccurate fuel gauge not the actual gallons he was filling up.

He could just assume he used up 15 gallons even if it was only 11 if the thing ran out... just a thought...

 

[mini274]

Wouldnt you need to know the proper gas tank size to figure that?

not really you fill it up then run it to a half tank then fill it back up and see how many gallons it takes then the milage divided by the gallons and their you go

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

Wouldnt you need to know the proper gas tank size to figure that?

drive 20 miles on 1 gallon of fuel in a 1gallon tank and you get 20MPG, now drive 20 miles on 1gallon of fuel in a 2 gallon tank and you get 20 MPG.

no.

 

[Original_Ranger84]

Well everyone does it differently so just tryin to cover bases.

 

[adsm08]

how could the clutch affect it?

If the clutch is slipping it will take more revs to move the truck the same amount as if it were grabbing properly. More revs used = more fuel used.