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11-14-2004, 12:16 AM
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#1 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 21
|  Gas mileage suddenly down. Why?
Within the last few months I have noticed a significant gas mileage decrease in my 96 SL2. I used to get 300-320 miles per full tank and now am only getting 235 or so. Why? My driving distances and routes have been the same for years so its not a hwy/city issue. With gas as high as it is these days this frustrates me. Can anyone give me some ideas as to what is wrong? Thanks.
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11-14-2004, 03:37 PM
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#2 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: florida usa
Posts: 5,472
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hi rob, welcome to spot! the most common problem when fuel mileage drops drastically is usually simple, when was your last tune up? any SES lights on? many times the electronic egr is at fault, (if you need one contact me, cuase youll have aheart attack at new cost.)
joey from 6th planet
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11-14-2004, 07:18 PM
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#3 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 942
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ECTS will horribly screw with mileage.
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11-14-2004, 07:29 PM
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#4 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: florida usa
Posts: 5,472
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thats true also, give us some more info on the car, mileage etc
(man you think you got mileage problems? LOL ,my tahoe with a 320 hp lt1 in it gets EIGHT MPG 11 at BEST, LOL i gotta pull my own oil tanker behind me some weeks! ) on the brighter side, my new truck is pulling 15 mpg towing or not!
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11-14-2004, 08:07 PM
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#5 | | Community Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Canada
Posts: 3,400
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First thing to check is the coolant temp sensor and connector. Next on the list would be the theremostat/state of tune up.
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11-14-2004, 11:33 PM
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#6 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Dirty Jersey
Posts: 1,715
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Quote: |
Originally Posted by Joeybagodonuts thats true also, give us some more info on the car, mileage etc
(man you think you got mileage problems? LOL ,my tahoe with a 320 hp lt1 in it gets EIGHT MPG 11 at BEST, LOL i gotta pull my own oil tanker behind me some weeks! ) on the brighter side, my new truck is pulling 15 mpg towing or not! | You put an LT1 in your Tahoe? What's the new truck?
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11-17-2004, 05:03 AM
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#7 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: most southern point in Ohio
Posts: 667
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like everyone else has said, check about tune up and ects. i would more put the blame on ects and/or fuel filter and/or pump. if it dropped from 320 to 235 at the next fill up and been acting the same check into those. ignition failure would more likely causing hesitation, misfires, rough driving, and will take a bit longer to notice a drop in mileage
on another note, ive noticed most people say they get 300-320 miles per fill up. the least ive gotten is 340 and most was like 440 and i always tend to have 2 gallons left. and ive got a dohc that i drive rough and has 140,000 miles on it. | |
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11-18-2004, 05:03 PM
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#8 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Florida, contemplating the next ION breakthrough.
Posts: 1,720
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Quite often, if your car uses more fuel than it should, AND it has lost power, it means that it is time for a new catalytic converter.
Not to worry, as a quality new one is about $100.
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11-20-2004, 08:14 PM
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#9 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 21
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Questions: What is the etcs? Quote: |
First thing to check is the coolant temp sensor and connector. Next on the list would be the theremostat/state of tune up.
| How do I check these? Where are they? Quote: |
thats true also, give us some more info on the car, mileage etc
| It has 96,280 miles on it. Its a gold, auto, DOHC, 96 SL2. It sputters like hell when I have to go up hills at slow speeds. Feels like a "kickback effect." I can get rid of it only by flooring the pedal. If I am not behind someone up hills it usually is fine, just seems to be when a certain amount of steady pressure is on the pedal this happens. Usually below 40 mph. Quote: |
would more put the blame on ects and/or fuel filter and/or pump.
| I thought this might be the culprit but I have no idea where to look for these parts on my car. No SES lights on. Quote: |
many times the electronic egr is at fault
| If it is the egr, how would I tell? Thanks again for all the input. I hope you can answer my questions with the info I have provided. Sure is good to have a place like this to go for help. | |
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11-21-2004, 05:54 PM
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#10 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 682
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ECTS = Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor.
You unscrew it and check the tip see if there is a crack.
Personally, I wouldn't even bother to check for the crack, if the sensor has never been changed, it WILL fail some point down the road, so it is better just spend the $20 and get the new design brass tip ECTS.
Thermostat, I'd just change it and flush the system while you're at it.
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