MPG's tank fillup
Administrator
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Clayton MI
I feel sure you are correct with something different in the packages for winter. But in addition, winter driving is going to be worse due to it taking longer to warm the motor,(regardless of no warm up prior to driving) as well as the diff, and trans. oils..... And of course, the shorter the commute, the more effect it will have on mpg.
Record Breaker
Joined: Jan 2014
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From: Va
One other small thing to check is tire pressure. Generally it drops in the winter.....
Rookie
Joined: Sep 2019
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From: Pennsylvania
After doing a crap-load of work without success (fuel injectors, plenum gasket, etc), bit by bit, to try to get truck to run better and get better MPG than 9-10 MPG, I finally found it. I feel really stupid for having missed it for months on end. FAN CLUTCH. Swapped it out, now I'm getting 12-13 MPG, and that's with me womping on the throttle, enjoying a few of the ponies I got back.
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Champion
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,724
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After doing a crap-load of work without success (fuel injectors, plenum gasket, etc), bit by bit, to try to get truck to run better and get better MPG than 9-10 MPG, I finally found it. I feel really stupid for having missed it for months on end. FAN CLUTCH. Swapped it out, now I'm getting 12-13 MPG, and that's with me womping on the throttle, enjoying a few of the ponies I got back.
I looked it up they call it "viscous fan clutch" in the FSM. Turns out I may have damaged mine when I did the plenum by leaving it laying flat for several days. The instructions say not to lay it horizontal or the silicon fluid may drain in to the bearings. Also turns out that you have to remove the shroud and fan together. First disconnect the overflow from shroud and lay aside, then disconnect the shroud, then the fan.Take fan and shroud out at same time. Apparently on the V8's you can do that separately.
Rookie
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 61
Likes: 8
From: Pennsylvania
I noticed after being just about ready to give up on better mileage in my truck. I had the hood open and I reached in with my arm to turn key off and kill engine, and I noticed that after the engine shut off, the fan kept spinning and spinning. Spun for around 8 seconds after I shut it off. I remember an old timer in a shop I worked at telling me years ago that in general fans should only spin for around 2 seconds after shutting off engine. Next morning I came out, and even in freezing temperatures and after sitting overnight, I could move the fan with one push by hand almost a full turn.