I"m getting frustrated.

M

Mycophiles

Registered
My patience has worn out. I bought my car nearly 2 years ago and at that time I was getting 19mpg in the city. After 5-6 months I decided to change my spark plugs and wires. I put in Bosche Platnum wires and havent gotten better than 17mpg in the city (while its 26mpg on the highway). Just the other day I put in new Motorcraft plugs and I'm getting 13mpg. xo

The rear cats are punched out, new O2 sensors, the fuel filter and fuel pump are new, and I've cleaned the MAF and replaced the air filter.

I can't think what else could be causing it.
 
RE: I"m getting frustrated.

No, In fact, since I put these new plugs in it's running smooth as silk. RPM at idle is 700~ I think. Isn't that normal?
 
RE: I"m getting frustrated.

You need to delete your rear O2's if your running catless. Unless you have a chip that deletes them. Also i would check your fuel filter, pcv valve, and change the plugs back.
 
RE: I"m getting frustrated.

I'm not positive but I think hes got a Gen 1 which doesnt have cats.

I tried racking my brain and the only thing I could come up with was maybe you have some clogged injectors causing a bad spray pattern and resulting in bad efficiency.

Or perhaps a brake caliper is sticking or maybe a problem in the tranny causing drag.

Try a can or two of that Sea Foam in the tank or coin up for a shop to use their pressurized cleaning system for the injectors.
 
RE: I"m getting frustrated.

I guess it could be the tranny. I got one on it's last leg. :( If I cruise at 32-33 mph it constantly shifts between OD and 3rd. Very annoying but nothing I can do about it.

I have to reflush it b/c my darn mechanic put in the wrong fluid when I had the dipstick thing fixed, and when I did the 1-2acc. I didn't flush the torque converter, but I don't think that makes a difference.

I did try putting in some other injector junk in the car the other day when I couldn't find sea foam but I guess I'll try again.
 
RE: I"m getting frustrated.

700 sounds a bit high, especially if that's in gear. Mine idles at just a hair over 500.
 
RE: I"m getting frustrated.

Sea Foam can be found at All NAPA stores for about 6 bucks a can.When I use it I do 3/4s of one can through the brake vaccumm line and then the rest in with the oil.Then a full can in an almost empty gas tank.
Watch the smoke show its pretty neat.
 
RE: I"m getting frustrated.

[div class="dcquote"][strong]Quote[/strong]
... I didn't flush the torque converter, but I don't think that makes a difference.
[/div]

It does make a difference.
 
RE: I"m getting frustrated.

Ok, then. I'll dump the tranny and the torque converter. (but am not going to put the tranny cooler on yet }( . Then I'll use some sea foam.

but, when you say you put the sea foam in the brake vacume are you talking about the master cylander? :eek: ::wtf::

:+
 
RE: I"m getting frustrated.

Start with a warm engine and shut down. Disconnect the vacumn line between the manifold and the brake booster. Add an appropriate length of tubing and run the engine using the intake vacumn from this line to slowly suck in SeaFoam through this line into the intake without stalling. Shut the engine down and wait 5 minutes. Reconnect the vacumn hose as before during this 5 minute period. Start the engine and run the snot out of it!
 
RE: I"m getting frustrated.

Where's the brake booster?

Also, can a person drain the torque converter without taking the tranny plate off? If I remember correctly the only way to get to the torque converter is to take the tranny plate off. :(
 
RE: I"m getting frustrated.

The torque converter can be drained by removing the plug on the bottom of the bellhousing.
Then rotate engine so converter drain hole is on the bottom and remove the plug.
Did you inspect all the hoses for vacuum leaks.
Maybe your converter isnt locking up
Keith
93 BLACK
93 MAROON
Only use the brakes to stop and get gas.
 
RE: I"m getting frustrated.

The brake booster is the big round thing between the brake fluid reservoir and the firewall. Nearly in the middle of the intake at top center of the engine is a tee fitting. One side leads to the brake booster with a large line on the driver's side while the other side is a small line that disappears inder the intake tube to the passenger side. Use care if disconnecting hoses at the tee as it is easily broken.
 
RE: I"m getting frustrated.

Driller; I got the Sea foam through the car OK. now I'd like to drain the torque converter.

How does the torque converter fill up after your done? Do you just fill the tranny back up through it's dip plug?
 
RE: I"m getting frustrated.

[div class="dcquote"][strong]Quote[/strong]
... How does the torque converter fill up after your done? Do you just fill the tranny back up through it's dip plug?
[/div]

Yes, you need a long skinny funnel. I usually estimate the fill requirement and put in half that amount to start. Then start the car and shift the transmission selector(while holding down the brake) through each position, R-N-D-L, stopping for a few seconds at each position and returning to the park position. I then repeat with half the remaining quantity and then run the engine at idle and check the fluid level. After that I'll add 1/2 quart at a time until full.

So, to recap, if I drain approximately 12 quarts...

1. Put in 6 quarts.
2. Start engine and shift transmission through all gear positions.
3. Stop engine. Put in 3 quarts.
4. Start engine and shift transmission through all gear positions.
5. Leave engine run, add fluid 1/2 quart at a time, rechecking fluid level until full.

I believe the torque converter holds 5 or 6 quarts. I would drain the ENTIRE transmission and torque converter(BOTH). That should be approximately 12 quarts full capacity but don't be suprised if it's only 10 quarts or so as a lot of fluid remains in the valve body, cooler, lines and the transmission itself.

Draining just one or the other is just not right. I go by the old adage of four quarts of new oil plus one quart of dirty oil equals five quarts of dirty oil.
 
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