Poor Mileage

[yazoodangerranger]

Hello everyone. I have a 1993 Ford Ranger 2.3L 5. speed single cab. It recently started getting poor gas mileage. I cleaned the MAF and the throttle position sensor. Also replaced the fuel filter. Feels slightly sluggish to. I filled her up. Im now on a quarter of a tank and only went 205 miles. Everyone tells me I should be getting at least 300 to 350 out of a tank of gas. What would yall suggest to do next spark plugs? or wires or 02 sensor. please help

 

[Rose2300]

I would replace the plugs and the wires.

 

[yazoodangerranger]

thank you thats what im doing on payday.

 

[adsm08]

I would suggest that on a vehicle that old don't go by what everyone tells you you "should" be getting out of a tank.

Next, I would fill up and check to see what you are actually getting. I freaked when I ran the first tank through my B2 when I was at 150 miles and showed no fuel left on a 23 gallon tank.

Then I filled up and found out the gauge is wrong. Fill up, calculate your actual MPG, and go from there.

 

[shane96ranger]

I agree, Ford's fuel gauges are always whacky. When I had my Ranger, I'd get around 200 miles before the gauge read half tank. There's no way I would get 400 miles out of the tank though - I was lucky to get 320 miles.

 

[yazoodangerranger]

I filled it completely full i have the 16.4 or how ever much the small tank is. I filled it full and at 205 miles im all the way down to a quarter. no way im getting another 100 out of a quarter of a tank. Anyway to fix a whacky fuel gauge or is it something to do with the float in the tank?

 

[yazoodangerranger]

the way im figuring it up with a full tank of gas going 300 miles isnt but 18 mpg. 400 miles would be 24mpg.

 

[superds]

Are you calculating it the way adsm08 suggested? If not, you don't have an accurate indicator of what your true fuel mileage is.

To recap how to calculate fuel mileage in the most convenient somewhat scientific manner:

Step 1: Fill up. All the way until the pump clicks off (at full level), no more.
Step 2: Reset trip meter or write down odometer mileage.
Step 3: Drive as normal, using up most of the tank of fuel.
Step 4: Fill up, repeating step one. Make note of how much fuel is needed to fill tank. Use two decimal places to provide most accurate data.
Step 5: Figure out how many miles were driven, if trip meter was used refer to trip meter for number. If odometer was used find paper where original miles were written and subtract from current odometer reading to find miles driven.
Step 6: Using calculator, divide miles driven by amount of fuel used. The number on your calculator is an exact, scientifically measured mpg figure for your vehicle under normal driving conditions. Any error in this figure is due to odometer malfuction/error or fuel fill error, either by the pump or by user.

Find this number, that is the basis which to compare to other vehicles' fuel mileage.

 

[adsm08]

I filled it completely full i have the 16.4 or how ever much the small tank is. I filled it full and at 205 miles im all the way down to a quarter. no way im getting another 100 out of a quarter of a tank. Anyway to fix a whacky fuel gauge or is it something to do with the float in the tank?

You aren't listening. I am suggesting that, if no running issues have been noticed and a full tune up has been done, that while your gauge indicates a 1/4 tank, you have have more.

I can go 350 to 400 miles on the tank in my B2. The gauge says I owe it fuel around 150 miles. A sudden drop in apparent MPG is not in fact due to lowered MPG but an inaccurate fuel reading.

Go calculate your actual fuel economy the way superds said. Do it for a few tanks to get a good rolling average. Then find out your actual fuel tank capacity. THEN figure out your operating range.

Finally, don't worry about what other people say you "should" get. There is not "should get" on a vehicle that old. They all wear differently and will all perform differently. MPG and performance will drop over time. Sometimes you hit a drop point where wear and tear on the vehicle show a sudden drop in economy or performance and it's time to start rebuilding things.

 

[Insanejughead]

I was going to suggest using a vacuum gauge as well as a plug check to help diagnose possible problems, but that will have to wait until you figure out the fuel tank/fuel mileage issue first.

The key to figuring out ANY (and I mean ANY) problem is by deducing possible issues one at a time. Any of the competent people on this site will agree with that.

 

[yazoodangerranger]

thanks for all the post tomorrow im replacing all 8 sparkplugs, O2 sensor and then filling it up to try what everyone suggested.

 

[yazoodangerranger]

ok everyone I replaced all 8 spark plugs new wires also cleaned Mass airflow sensor and idle control valve. Only thing hasnt been changed is air filter but its not real dirty. I also changed to 02 sensor. I filled her back up and still only getting about 210-220 miles before my gauge gets to the red. Im starting to wonder if the fuel gauge is reading right what do yall suggest next? there is no way a little 2.3 should get that poor of gas mileage. Please give me anymore input.

 

[Hahnsb2]

ok everyone I replaced all 8 spark plugs new wires also cleaned Mass airflow sensor and idle control valve. Only thing hasnt been changed is air filter but its not real dirty. I also changed to 02 sensor. I filled her back up and still only getting about 210-220 miles before my gauge gets to the red. Im starting to wonder if the fuel gauge is reading right what do yall suggest next? there is no way a little 2.3 should get that poor of gas mileage. Please give me anymore input.

You don't listen well. The gas gauge should never be used to figure out gas mileage. Tank size has nothing to do with it.


Miles driven divided by gallons used=MPG.

 

[yazoodangerranger]

thanks man I do understand Im just still trying to figure out if I have a problem with my gauge. gas here is 3.35 a gallon i put 40 bucks in it and the gas ran over the pump didnt have a stop valve. if u divide those numbers thats right at 12 gallons. I have a 2.3L single cab 5 speed which comes with 16.5 gallon tank. My gauge was reading on the E mark so I should have still had 4.5 gallons left correct?

 

[killj0y]

Again that's why he said not to follow the gas gauge because it's inaccurate! Proof being you put 12 gallons when it should take 16.5 when empty! Use the calculations given and use better gas...try to find some with less ethanol in it. My local grocery store touts less then 10% for example while convenience stores have 15%.