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Give your truck a tune up. No reason for 11MPG.
I posted a short time back that I was getting almost 15 MPG on my 99 quad cab 4x4 2500. I drove it 197 miles today . Half that was empty and half was picking up an 18 foot davetail car trailer and coming home. Only about 50 of that was interstate, The rest was backroad 60 MPH driving. My lie o meter is saying 15.7 and my math has it a tad higher. My truck was eating fuel when I got it, but I did a tune up with quality parts and fixed the intake plenum. Now I am pretty happy with the mileage. And I have 4:10 gears. These trucks have a bad name for poor fuel economy and I can only assume theyere are alot of them out there that arent running well, Or are jusr worn out. I cant see any other reason for getting 11 MPG around town other than stomping the heck out if it at every take off.
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Originally Posted by chris101
(Post 1800641)
I cant see any other reason for getting 11 MPG around town other than stomping the heck out if it at every take off.
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Originally Posted by chris101
(Post 1800641)
I cant see any other reason for getting 11 MPG around town other than stomping the heck out if it at every take off.
By the way, I find your insensitive display of nyah, nyah, nyah nyah nyah to be highly insulting.:icon_no: |
Ya I need to do the plugs and wires but the plugs cleaned up nice and their gaping was still correct. The wires on the other hand are factory and now being held by a couple of zip ties instead of the properly arranged "Dodge said so" way. As noted per the link below
http://dodgeram.info/tsb/1998/18-48-98/18-48-98-v8.htm And I believe them. IMHO it just would make better since to use better wires and don't think about it again. I replaced the valve cover gaskets and destroyed the factory wire holders. But it hasn't used, lost, or burned any oil at all according to the stick. Over the last 800 miles give or take. Reports no codes or change performance wise as far as I can tell in the seat, but seems to have slipped in the mileage department watching the trip o' meter. I haven't actually done the math either after the wire position change. Could just be my led foot finally knocking the new off my old new truck though. Anyone care to offer their take on better more insulating aftermarket plug wires verses the damn factory wire holders blocking access to the valve covers. Not that I really want to go back there. Just thinking some nice quality wire and a set of the clam shell type holders. |
"Anyone care to offer their take on better more insulating aftermarket plug wires verses the damn factory wire holders blocking access to the valve covers. Not that I really want to go back there. Just thinking some nice quality wire and a set of the clam shell type holders."
I have MSD 8.5 mm wires on both of my trucks and I like them. They're like $80 so not sure if their worth it compared to regulars but every little bit helps. |
Originally Posted by chris101
(Post 1800641)
I cant see any other reason for getting 11 MPG around town other than stomping the heck out if it at every take off.
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Well, then you're one lucky sob. My little 1500 318 5spd is lucky to get 12 in town. And I drive like a grandpa with a heart condition. I tune it up completely every two years, run seafoam twice a year, have removed the deathflash, cleaned TB, new O2 sensor, KN filter, and Hughes kit. I guess there IS a reason for 11mpg.
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I put the recommended Champion plugs it back in May, going from the autolites. I took a trip from Mt to Ca and was sadly disappointed at the lousy fuel mileage I got. It Was at 13 MPG no matter what I did on the HWY and 11 City. I'm used to getting 14 City and should have gotten 18-19 HWY. As last year I got 17 pulling a trailer with a very non aerodynamic load in the bed. I had put a cab high topper for the may trip also. I recently changed back to the autolites and have gotten my fuel mileage back.
All the plugs were clean and still gapped to the proper gap. Therefore I would suggest trying the autolites just for the heck of it. Alot of the guy's here like them and that's just my experince. |
I pay for MY gas, so I'll burn it as I please.
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i get like 8 mpgs and thats not beating it ;)
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I used autolite plugs and 8mm wires and I installed insulation whereever possible to prevent chaffing. My truck only has 115K miles so i am sure as it gets more wear it will get worse. But right now I am dang happy with it. I have put it up for sale becasue i want to build another square body crew cab chevy 4x4 with a cummins turbo diesel. This one will be a custom short bed though.
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Originally Posted by chris101
(Post 1800919)
i want to build another square body crew cab chevy 4x4 with a cummins turbo diesel. This one will be a custom short bed though.
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Originally Posted by 97black_ram
(Post 1800922)
If your going for a project like that. They say a ford body, allison trans, and cummins engine is a great combo. :icon_shrug:
better combo, common rail cummins, 6 speed stick, dodge body, light up like a christmas tree, train horn, full OBA, 100 gallon aux diesel tank, tool box, winch, and some other goodies as you can see, im already planning for my next truck |
1 Attachment(s)
Originally Posted by Ramman18
(Post 1800770)
Well, then you're one lucky sob. My little 1500 318 5spd is lucky to get 12 in town. And I drive like a grandpa with a heart condition. I tune it up completely every two years, run seafoam twice a year, have removed the deathflash, cleaned TB, new O2 sensor, KN filter, and Hughes kit. I guess there IS a reason for 11mpg.
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; pussy 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.:icon_razz: Attachment 100352 |
i got 14 on a 230 mile drive from Kewanee to home, and thats with some hills, and traffic, but when the road was clear i was running at about 65ish, which is about 1800 rpm
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My truck has 215k miles. It's a completely stock 1500 4x4 with the 318. The plenum is fine (made sure a few days ago). I filled my tank, drove like a bat from hell, filled up when I got empty (I burn 89 octane fuel), and did the math. 12.5 mpg.
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My truck has 185K , 5.2 , 5 spd man. trans and 3.55 gears . The plenum is now blown (started to ping bad) and burning a fair amt of oil now too . My TB is dirty(shame on me) , I cleaned tha IAC but not the TB portside , it idles rough until I hit the gas when cold . The plugs are NGK FR4's , I'm pretty sure I took the original wires off 2 weeks ago , 2 had been replaced before (different brand) , I did replace the $5 air filter though , lol . The gas filter I have no idea if/when it was changed last , and the wires , distributer cap and rotor came off my 95 Jeep when I did new on it . I did pull the rattling cat but it wasn't dirty or clogged at all , it made little/no difference , just no more rattle .The truck is far from clean , and I kick the crap out of it , it gets NO mercy . I rev to 3000+ in the short gears easy , do little hwy , but some freeway driving . Drive about 800 miles monthly on 2 tanks (approx 23 gallons , is that right ?, smallest tank maybe)with a little to spare .
My math (no overhead console) ranges from 17-20 mpg's per tank , which I religously clock . I run 32x11.5x15" tires and have changed the speedo gear to match the GPS for correct speed +/-1 mph . Even the motor knocks a little but has decent power . I want a new engine , but , it's a beater to me , as long as it starts , and it quickly does , I will continue to run it to the ground . I have no explanation for the good mpg's , I don't get close in my Grand Cherokee with a low K extremely well maintained 5.2/auto , only difference is the 3.73 in the jeep and the slush box . No BS either , the truck sits right now with 400km's on the tank and 5/8's left and I was doing a side job carrying stone and cement , approx 1000lbs worth for 2-3 days back and forth to work . Best Dodge I have ever owned for mpg's in fact , my 2003 Quad 4x4 4.7/5spd did good at 17ish(off-road pkg) , but my 2wd 2001 Dakota r/t was a little piggy 11-13 , same as my present 5.2 Jeep . My 2.5l BMW gets 30+ @ 80mph , if I want economy , that's what I drive . 2000 miles with it in 2 yrs , LOL , but a sweet ride |
Originally Posted by 95MaroonMonster
(Post 1801082)
better combo, common rail cummins, 6 speed stick, dodge body, light up like a christmas tree, train horn, full OBA, 100 gallon aux diesel tank, tool box, winch, and some other goodies
as you can see, im already planning for my next truck |
Originally Posted by chris101
(Post 1801239)
But I am partial to the old square body Chevies. I like the look of the dodge, But dont care much for wires and vacuum lines funning all over under the truck to speed sensors and actuators. Seems like a bad idea on a 4wd. Plus I want 4 full doors that open the same direction. Will be a common rial doage and manual transmission. Working a deal to pick up a cummings/5 speed combo with only 125K miles on it.
I think you stated further back in this thread that you checked the plenum and it looks good. As far as I'm concerned the ONLY way to truly know is to tear it down. I thought mine was fine and only took it apart to install the Hughes plate I had for a couple months, and sure enough it was blown. I repaired it only 2 years ago using the stock plate. (that was before I found this place). |
I just pulled a trailer today that weighed right at about 4000 lbs with my stock 1500 with the 318 engine.
started with a full tank - went 108 miles - filled back up and took 12 gal. do the math and that's a big 9 mpg pulling a fairly heavy load. I'll have to check the mileage when not pulling a bunch of extra weight next (only had the truck a relatively short time and hadn't thought to do this yet for some reason) |
Originally Posted by Laramie1997
(Post 1801098)
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; pussy 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.:icon_razz: http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/p...7/6cc35e27.jpg HOLY PISS 2.23/gal? damn i wish i lived there. i paid 2.57/gal for 93 and 87 was 2.35/gal last friday. |
Originally Posted by 004x41500
(Post 1801914)
HOLY PISS 2.23/gal? damn i wish i lived there. i paid 2.57/gal for 93 and 87 was 2.35/gal last friday.
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damn it man.
so what would you recomend to get better mpgs? |
Um, read post number 14?
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where did you take your injectors for the sonic cleaning, and tune? and how much did it help? as well as the cost of it
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It was a local shop here, actually they aren't even in business anymore what with the economy and all. There are a few places that you can ship out to.
IIRC, it ran me $50.00 for all eight injectors. |
You guys are pissed about gas prices? I just filled up tonight for $3.09/gal. Gotta love the great state of WA. Stupid liberals. Oh, and I got 13mpg with mixed. Didn't have to run the air as much so that helped, although today was mid-90s again.
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Originally Posted by Laramie1997
(Post 1801959)
It was a local shop here, actually they aren't even in business anymore what with the economy and all. There are a few places that you can ship out to.
IIRC, it ran me $50.00 for all eight injectors. 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? |
Originally Posted by 004x41500
(Post 1802007)
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?
I dropped them off at the shop and came back and picked them up about 2 hours later. |
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 -
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Originally Posted by 004x41500
(Post 1801914)
HOLY PISS 2.23/gal? damn i wish i lived there. i paid 2.57/gal for 93 and 87 was 2.35/gal last friday.
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Originally Posted by Oren09
(Post 1802027)
Lol.. I paid 2.79/gal for 87 octane the other day. Cost $55 for about 19gals.
Josh |
Originally Posted by Ramman18
(Post 1801968)
You guys are pissed about gas prices? I just filled up tonight for $3.09/gal. Gotta love the great state of WA. Stupid liberals. Oh, and I got 13mpg with mixed. Didn't have to run the air as much so that helped, although today was mid-90s again.
I think it was 2.46 here for 87 octane when I got gas yesterday |
$2.43 here in north eastern Maryland.
To stay on topic I get 12-14 around town depending on how much I have my foot on it. |
Ok guys come on...quit yer whining. Try $3.27 per gallon!!!! That's the converted price here in Canada. $0.939 Cdn/Litre is the going rate for 87 octane.
That's why I use my motorcycle to get around and the 5.9L V8 1500 truck is parked on my driveway just for show! |
$4.99 for diesel/prem last summer. whhhhhhaaaaattttt?!?!? man that sucked. then it dropped down to 1.40ish for prem, saw reg @ 1.15. didnt last but a month or two now were back at 2.53 (7-11) 2.59 (shell) for 93. a week ago it was 2.79.
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Originally Posted by chris101
(Post 1800641)
I posted a short time back that I was getting almost 15 MPG on my 99 quad cab 4x4 2500. I drove it 197 miles today . Half that was empty and half was picking up an 18 foot davetail car trailer and coming home. Only about 50 of that was interstate, The rest was backroad 60 MPH driving. My lie o meter is saying 15.7 and my math has it a tad higher. My truck was eating fuel when I got it, but I did a tune up with quality parts and fixed the intake plenum. Now I am pretty happy with the mileage. And I have 4:10 gears. These trucks have a bad name for poor fuel economy and I can only assume theyere are alot of them out there that arent running well, Or are jusr worn out. I cant see any other reason for getting 11 MPG around town other than stomping the heck out if it at every take off.
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I found the biggest improvement to my mileage was replacing my manual clutch fan with an electric fan setup. Immediate feel in available HP and increased mpg to boot. I get an average of 11.5-12 mpg and I do not take it easy at all. 85 mph on the highway making the 160 mile trip to the beach every weekend. I'm often curious what sort of mileage I'd get if I drove the speed limit.
I just turned past 200k miles, have the Hughes plate, 2001 QC 2500 4x4 and manual transmission, Superchips reflash (premium all the time), K&N filter, stock tires, Bosch plugs and MSD 8.5mm plug wires. And I even run the ZMax treatments. I was getting around 12.5 in town but it has fallen off here lately. I'm getting the DTCs on the O2 sensors so I think I need to address that issue. I'm also burning some oil and plan to check my plate but I think the engine has finally just gotten worn out of the rings and stem seals. I'm currently researching my Cummins options to do a complete changeover from the 5.9 gasser. |
Filled up @ $2.32 today, cheapest I have seen in a while.
I was $2.39 yesterday at the same place, station across the street always follows suit, but 1 cent more. I'm sure most everyone knows this, but for the 1 person who don't, here ya go http://www.gasbuddy.com/ |
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