Horse**** mpg

[mercantis]

1997 Ford Ranger 2wd 2.3L 5-speed

When I first bought it, about 6 months ago, I was averaging 20 mpg. Lately, I've been averaging about 14… Needless to say, it shouldn't be that low for a 2.3L.

There's been no change in my driving habits over that span of time.

The only thing I've done is replace the air filter and back-flush the cooling system. The tires were a little under-inflated too; filling 'em up should have helped, but it didn't.

Engine runs fine, nothing abormal stands out.

 

[bryanb]

I replaced the O2 sensor in my old Thunderbird (Turbo 2.3L) and mileage increased some. I imagined it was running a little rich, when it couldn't determine how well it was burning fuel.

I suspect the same problem on my current '89 Ranger. Haven't had the gumption to get to the O2 sensor yet. The exhaust does smell awfully rich to me.

 

[modelageek]

1997 Ford Ranger 2wd 2.3L 5-speed

When I first bought it, about 6 months ago, I was averaging 20 mpg. Lately, I've been averaging about 14… Needless to say, it shouldn't be that low for a 2.3L.

There's been no change in my driving habits over that span of time.

The only thing I've done is replace the air filter and back-flush the cooling system. The tires were a little under-inflated too; filling 'em up should have helped, but it didn't.

Engine runs fine, nothing abormal stands out.

I have the same truck. that is pretty bad mileage. I think the worst i get is like 22 or 23. you might want to consider plugs and wires fuel filter etc..... is the cel working do you have any codes......

 

[fastpakr]

Assuming no codes, I'd begin with a basic tune up (plugs and wires) and go from there.

 

[modelageek]

your odometer/speedometer is working correctly......... right?

 

[Hopman]

A bit of advice from somebody who has a '94 2.3. Don't reving the engine too high. You can shift around 2,000-2,500 RPMS and still have good power.

 

[rurouni20xx]

my old 3.0 ranger went down to 8mpg at 178k miles, catalytic converters stopped up, have them checked at your local shop/replaced as necessary.

 

[97ranger xlt]

do you have good heat? maybe the coolant temp. sensor is bad making the computer run the engine rich, and/or 02 sensors.

 

[Chance]

If it's a sensor malfunction, It should be throwing a code of some kind.

If it's not throwing a code, do the basic tune-up routine, additives, mafs cleaner and whatnot.

 

[Mr.Stoke_Me]

shoot.. i wish i could shit my 91 @ 2-2.5k...and still have decent power..and yes i have the old 2.3 lima twinspark. I average about 18 in town..if my foot isnt in it..normaly i dont put it too deep but ill take her up to atleast 3k b4 i even think about shifting..it doesnt make any GOOD power till after 3400-4600 rpm..even when i really get into it i still only take it to about 4500..cuz after that she doesnt have any more to give..oh..and it wont cant hold a finger on 90mph either...fif in 4th and she aint goin no further!but i can cruise at 85 all day long in 5th????riddle me that!!!idk..tune up to come soon including new sparks, upgraded coil packs, 7.2mm wires, custom fabbed intake, headers and full 2.5in pipe with magnaflow muff..no cat, and a new thermo and rad.and i just replaced the heater core bout a week ago...

 

[rurouni20xx]

upgraded coil packs are a waste, your ignition system can handle a turbocharged motor at 10psi no problem, you could go to 12:1 in compression and still not see an ignition problem. new wires and plugs are a def, autolite or motorcraft plugs (one in the same) or you can run into trouble there. dont bother with multielectrode plugs they cause misfiring from firing one electrode then the other and you wont start. 2.5 exhaust is too big, 2 1/4 is the largest i would go unless you are circle tracking at 8000 rpm for 30 minutes. headers are a good investment but keep the pipe diameter to 2 1/4 if the dump is 2 1/2 on the header. cats keep your pressure where it should be and keep your from burning valves with the stock tune, if your going to change it go to a hi flow cat, last thing you want is a tkt for no cat either (HUGE FINE!!!).

 

[Frank The Tank]

I'm not going to touch on the exhaust thing...

My 97 2.3l 5spd has 210k miles (showing, the odometer has been turned a titch) and still averages 26mpg.........
I don't see how it's possible your getting 14mpg and your not consuming oil, smoking, getting a rough idle, a rough high rev....... fuel spewing from a line, or that it even has enough power to pull itself.

There has to be something you are missing here...... I mean really. my truck doesn't run perfect but at 175k it got down to 24mpg and I opened up exhaust and intake at same time and it put me back where I was for the prior 125k at 26mpg.

Frank