Major Drop in Gas Mileage - Page 5

thisistruth · #41 01-02-2013, 03:40 PM

ah ok, thanks. well i had it towed today. my in-laws get free towing so i figure that was worth it. thanks for the help guys....i generally like to try and fix stuff myself but without the proper tools and know how i figure this one is easier left to the pros...

kms1990 · #42 01-02-2013, 09:14 PM

maybe you got some water on or in the electrical parts of the oil pump.

thisistruth · #43 01-03-2013, 03:19 PM

just a quick update on the oil light and set light issue in case anyone runs into this again. my mechanic started it up this afternoon....no lights on! what?! so my wife picked it up and drove it 8 miles home. i installed a new pcv valve and started her up for a drive, oil light back on. but i noticed that it was VERY dim....odd....so my lovely wife found the below thread and found out that it will happen sometimes when connections underneath get wet. the description in this thread is EXACTLY what i was dealing with. hope this helps someone else and thanks for all your advice guys!

http://www.clubxterra.org/forums/arc...p/t-21036.html

kms1990 · #44 01-03-2013, 07:07 PM

odd, i wash my truck once a week (at least) i like to keep it clean! and have never had any wiring issues then again mine is a 2000 not a 2004 so the way they did the wires is most likely different or maybe on the 04s the wiring can slip loose from a holder somewhere it wont get wet and get to where it can, might check that out, or wrap it in some electrical tape

BrushWorks · #45 01-08-2013, 06:30 PM

So I replaced the PCV valve yesterday, along with Seafoaming 1/3 the Gas, EVAP line and oil. The old PCV valve was FILTHY to say the least.

I noticed some smoke/exhaust coming from what I believe is the Valve Cover (passenger side where the oil spout is). I tightened down the 8 or so screws, but there still seems to be a bit of exhaust coming from there.

I'm going to assume that the valve cover gasket is shot and that it's not a crack.

I also noticed my car seems to sputter when idling. Almost like it wants to stall, but it keeps running.

I am going to do an oil change tomorrow along with the fuel filter.

Does Seafoaming cause a sputtering until it's flushed out of the system?

I did a seafoam treatment about 6 mos ago during a previous oil change, and didn't notice a sputtering. But I also changed the oil out the same day.

Any thoughts on the sputtering? I changed the Alternator too, but I don't believe that has anything to do with it.

Thanks

kms1990 · #46 01-08-2013, 11:09 PM

did the sputtering start when you did the seafoam in vacuum line? if so did it stop after you stopped pouring it in or no? if no check the vacuum line you used to pour it in and make sure its tight(if tight check your spark plugs, wires and cap and rotor on distributor or it may have the first signs of a failing distributor, my dizzy gave me a bad idle for about 3months before (not hardly noticeable but the occasional, rhythmic off feel in the idle then the other day the dizzy quit on me so just a thought, dont freak out and go buy a distributor until you have narrowed it down). if it was just when your pouring it in thats normal as you are basically creating a massive vacuum leak to do it. the smoke in the engine bay is not your valve covers its the exhaust manifold that has cracked (most of us have that, both sides on mine are) if its not throwing a check engine light for o2 sensors or cats then dont worry about that as it wont hurt anything (or hasnt on mine, and mine still passes inspection and runs just fine with it that way)

BrushWorks · #47 01-08-2013, 11:21 PM

I'm not sure if the sputtering was caused by the Seafoam. I don't believe the car started sputtering til sometime after, not immediately.

I also replaced the PCV valve, but didn't replace the hose connected to it, nor did I replace the clamps. Maybe it's creating a vacuum leak in those areas.

No codes have been thrown. It can't be plugs or wires. I just changed those in July. It could be the Dizzy. I don't believe that was ever replaced. But it just seems too coincidental that it would be the Dizzy. I also didn't spend much time on the top of the engine to knock something loose. Most if the work on the Alt was done underneath or from the wheel well.

Thanks for the suggestions.

kms1990 · #48 01-08-2013, 11:29 PM

i would suspect a vacuum leak then check all the hoses you touched for tightness and replace that hose clamp should fix er right up

scott-bc · #49 01-09-2013, 12:50 AM

Do you have airconditioning and if so do you use the window defrost option? Putting it to defrost, air to the glass only will turn the air conditioner. Turing on the air conditioner uses alot of power. For mine it does.

BrushWorks · #50 01-09-2013, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kms1990

i would suspect a vacuum leak then check all the hoses you touched for tightness and replace that hose clamp should fix er right up

Thanks for the tip. I'll check it out.