Give your truck a tune up. No reason for 11MPG.
#21
09-13-2009, 11:59 PM
There is NO reason for that! IF my dink 5.2 on a full 8 foot bed can get at worst 12MPG, then there is no reason why you shouldn't be getting the same. I admit even with driving like a bat out of hell on the last tank, racing at the strip on the same tank, and idling a lot; I got 12.56 MPG. (see below pic) Actually, you should be in the 13-16 MPG range with the 5 speed.
Some ideas-
1. Fuel Injectors
2. Plenum- Even though you did the hughe's kit, doesn't mean it wont ever blow out again.
3. Clogged up catalytic converter
4. PCV valve
5. That 180 stat isn't doing you any favors.
6. Do you idle it a lot? Even just sitting in traffic?
7. Oil weight?
8. Differential fluid?
9. poor fuel?
Another thing that I am a firm believer in; ***** footing around in these trucks don't do squat for fuel efficiency. From my playing around, I think I can conclude that our 5.2 motors do their best when running right around in the 1800-2000 RPM range.
I too was getting around 11 MPG no matter what I did, but through playing around with it, I'm at minimum 12 MPG and my personal best was 16.7. Of course that is on full tank calcs only.
Things I replaced-
1. Spark plugs- started with autolite double plats, then went to the 3293 plug.
2. PCV valve
3. New plug wires
4. K&N drop in air filter- No change
5. Pulled injectors and dropped them off for sonic cleaning and tune.
6. Gutted the cat.
7. New upstream O2 sensor
8. Plenum repair
9. Quit idling it in the mornings to cool/heat up
10. When setting at an extended traffic stop, I kill the motor
11. Tried every single different brand of gas in my local area. I think this last one is the most important. I do not consider all gas to be equal. I don't price shop fuel anymore. I have found that on my motor, I can get the best fuel mileage using Shell 89 octane. That 3-5 cent price hike is actually cheaper if you can get higher MPGs out of it.
Inversely, I've found that my worst mileage came from two gas stations. 1. Casey's and 2. Murphy USA AKA- Walmart.
Look at all this with an open mind, you might be able to bump your mileage a little bit, and learn something about your truck.
Some ideas-
1. Fuel Injectors
2. Plenum- Even though you did the hughe's kit, doesn't mean it wont ever blow out again.
3. Clogged up catalytic converter
4. PCV valve
5. That 180 stat isn't doing you any favors.
6. Do you idle it a lot? Even just sitting in traffic?
7. Oil weight?
8. Differential fluid?
9. poor fuel?
Another thing that I am a firm believer in; ***** footing around in these trucks don't do squat for fuel efficiency. From my playing around, I think I can conclude that our 5.2 motors do their best when running right around in the 1800-2000 RPM range.
I too was getting around 11 MPG no matter what I did, but through playing around with it, I'm at minimum 12 MPG and my personal best was 16.7. Of course that is on full tank calcs only.
Things I replaced-
1. Spark plugs- started with autolite double plats, then went to the 3293 plug.
2. PCV valve
3. New plug wires
4. K&N drop in air filter- No change
5. Pulled injectors and dropped them off for sonic cleaning and tune.
6. Gutted the cat.
7. New upstream O2 sensor
8. Plenum repair
9. Quit idling it in the mornings to cool/heat up
10. When setting at an extended traffic stop, I kill the motor
11. Tried every single different brand of gas in my local area. I think this last one is the most important. I do not consider all gas to be equal. I don't price shop fuel anymore. I have found that on my motor, I can get the best fuel mileage using Shell 89 octane. That 3-5 cent price hike is actually cheaper if you can get higher MPGs out of it.
Inversely, I've found that my worst mileage came from two gas stations. 1. Casey's and 2. Murphy USA AKA- Walmart.
Look at all this with an open mind, you might be able to bump your mileage a little bit, and learn something about your truck.
HOLY **** 2.23/gal? damn i wish i lived there. i paid 2.57/gal for 93 and 87 was 2.35/gal last friday.
#22
09-14-2009, 12:06 AM
Grand Champion
#24
09-14-2009, 12:27 AM
Grand Champion
#26
09-14-2009, 12:45 AM
Grand Champion
#27
09-14-2009, 12:58 AM
#28
09-14-2009, 02:08 AM
id rather go locally. how much of a difference did it make? and how does it clean the injectors? how long before you got them back?
#29
09-14-2009, 04:28 AM
Grand Champion
I dropped them off at the shop and came back and picked them up about 2 hours later.
#30
09-14-2009, 04:52 AM
Amateur
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Bellingham washington
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i have a 2001 dodge ram 2500 4x4 with a 360ci with a auto tranny and 315-75-16 BFG a/t if i drive the truck like a old person or like i'm a nascar driver it gets 9 mpg i don't know why all dodge trucks get such different mpg my wife's dad has a 1994 dodge 1500 2wd reg cab short bed with a 318 in it and he gets about 17 on the freeway -