Best way to maintain my 93 4.0L

[Phillips.Mike10]

I just replaced my clutch put in a new transmission and new exhaust manifolds. As well last year i replaced my radiator, thermostat and heater core. My motor has 282,000km on it, and i don't want it to go anytime soon here. I do my usual maintenance, but just wondering if anyone has any tips or tricks for maintaining optimal performance, and fuel consumption? As well my motor runs at high RPM when i start it up for quite a long time is there any way to fix that?

Thanks
Mike

 

[Yellowsplash]

It depends on what your definition of cheap gas is...

Regular 87 octane is what the engine was designed for. Use it. There is no need for higher octane. If your pinging then you have other problems. Octane is just a bandaid for improper tuning. Saying that, i would buy gas from a reputable source, not the town corner mart whose tanks are from the 50s.

 

[Phillips.Mike10]

I only run chevron in all of my vehicles, usually just regular. But would changing to a mid grade gas really change how my truck is running? I heard i would have to change my timing to put in a better grade of gas. As well would changing my timing maybe help with the high idle?

 

[Big Jim M]

Howdy Mike

I only run chevron in all of my vehicles, usually just regular. But would changing to a mid grade gas really change how my truck is running? I heard i would have to change my timing to put in a better grade of gas. As well would changing my timing maybe help with the high idle?

What has been said here is in my mind mostly FABLE! I use all brands of 87* fuel in all my vehicles and have never seen a difference in any of them.
As for the poster that has a clatter with 87*, he has an internal problem with his engine and simply doesn't wish to repair that problem.
NO! A higher octane rating will NOT give more horsepower! A higher octane rating fuel burns SLOWER and will burn effectively at higher rpm than lower octane fuel will. HIGHER octane fuel does NOT have more power in it!!

So if your engine is clattering at highway speeds and a different octane fuel will stop the clatter you most likely have a build up of carbon deposits inside the chamber which is changing the compression ratio.. There are a few additives to fuel that MAY clean up these deposits after a few tanks of fuel.

Big Jim

 

[crbnunit]

I frequently had ping issues with my old 3.0. Hot day/heavy load it was almost a given. Never had that issue with the 4.0.

 

[firenexx]

I should add something that for whatever reason has been overlooked. OP, you mentioned a high RPM idle at start-up for a while. This high idle at start up is normal. After a while it will go down to its normal idle RPM.
That is all.

As for maintenance, spend a lot of quality time with your vehicle. The more time you spend tuning it up and learning about it, the less time you spend in the future. When I first got my truck I didn't even notice certain things, for instance, that the intake tube from the airbox to the throttle body had ****ed-up seals, or that the top of the airbox wasn't even mounted properly, or that the coolant was full of rust and probably hadn't been changed for 5-10 years.
Read in your Chilton/Haynes manual about the recommended service at certain intervals, and then do it. And pay lots of attention to every fluid and part. Most problems you have with your vehicle you may not notice while you are driving. If you let them become worse and worse, you will eventually notice them while you are driving and by that point it's only a short while before you will not notice them anymore because you will not be able to drive because it will be broken. So trouble shoot, get a mity-vac and pressure-test applicable systems, check for vaccuum leaks, check your fluids OFTEN, pay attention to the suspension, etc etc etc etc basically the more time you spend looking for problems now the less problems you will have in the future, the better gas mileage you will get, and the longer the truck will last.

 

[Phillips.Mike10]

So what about Lucas Heavy Duty Oil Stabilizer? Would that help?

 

[exbass94]

So what about Lucas Heavy Duty Oil Stabilizer? Would that help?

NO stay away from that crap. Just use regular oil, change it regularly, and the engine will outlive the rest of the truck. No need for snake oil additives.