24 Valve Engine and Drivetrain Discuss the 24 Valve engine and drivetrain here. No non-drivetrain discussions please. NO HIGH PERFORMANCE DISCUSSION!

low MPG

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Old Sep 17, 2010 | 08:59 AM
  #1  
cowboykilla235's Avatar
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From: Mountain Home ID
low MPG

while reg freeway driving im getting 12-13 MPG while towing my 5th wheel (12,500) im getting 10-11 MPG... everyone i talk to says that they are getting high 17's to 25 MPG...

when im pulling it also dosent seem like im getting that much power to my wheels...

in case my sig dosent show, i have a mostly stock 2002 with 4'' exhaust (turbo back), ATS arc flow intake, gauges, K&N air filter

i really app any and ALL help i can get thank you!
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Old Sep 17, 2010 | 10:20 AM
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From: North Central Arkansas
Originally Posted by cowboykilla235
while reg freeway driving im getting 12-13 MPG while towing my 5th wheel (12,500) im getting 10-11 MPG... everyone i talk to says that they are getting high 17's to 25 MPG...

when im pulling it also dosent seem like im getting that much power to my wheels...

in case my sig dosent show, i have a mostly stock 2002 with 4'' exhaust (turbo back), ATS arc flow intake, gauges, K&N air filter

i really app any and ALL help i can get thank you!
How many miles you got on those stock injectors?
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Old Sep 17, 2010 | 11:08 AM
  #3  
cowboykilla235's Avatar
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From: Mountain Home ID
i only bought the truck a year ago october, as far as i know they are stock and the truck has 175,000
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Old Sep 18, 2010 | 12:09 PM
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From: The "real" Northern CA
You can first try adjusting your valves. Guys who've done it have been pleasantly surprised. You can also get a mild timing box like an Edge EZ. Great little pick me up and it will add a couple miles per gallon.....as long as you dont let the added power get the best of you. Lastly, I hate to say it but maybe your lift pump (fuel pump) is running weak, which is probably putting unneeded stress and wear and tear on the VP44 (injection pump). If thats the case then you're looking at about $1000-$2000 fix, depending on what you get and who installs it. Does your truck ever do anything out of the ordinary or is it always starting and running exactly the same?
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Old Sep 18, 2010 | 12:21 PM
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From: Mountain Home ID
naw it starts and runs GREAT!!! a lil low on power on the hills, i pull a 13K 5th wheel. i had the lift pump checked and it never went under 12 PSI...

i heard someone say that my tranny might be slipping, the engine could be makin the power, but i cant get it to the wheels. has anyone heard of this?

im afraid of chipping it until i upgrade/beef up my tranny.
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Old Sep 18, 2010 | 12:35 PM
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When I had my trans built after I exploded it my mileage increased by about 2 MPG.
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Old Sep 18, 2010 | 12:37 PM
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True the auto tranny is the drivetrain weak link for these towing monsters and you're also very wise to withhold any modifications until you upgrade the tranny if you're regularly towing heavy. The only suggestion I can give you to that is to install a fuel pressure gauge. For no other reason but to keep an eye on the lift pump so you're not stranded while out RVing because the OEM lift pump is notorious for failing and running weak. A fuel pressure gauge should have been mandatory on these model trucks. And I guess it wouldnt hurt to also throw a tranny temp gauge in the mix since you're worried about the tranny.
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Old Sep 18, 2010 | 12:44 PM
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From: Mountain Home ID
ya but i just cant afford to spend nearly 4K on a tranny...
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