Dragging brakes ?
----- Original Message -----
From: "James A. Crider" <autojim@worldnet.att.net>
To: <autox@autox.team.net>
Sent: Thursday, May 17, 2001 9:20 PM
Subject: Re: Tow Truck Question
> My friend Pat Washburn asked:
>
> >Subject: 1998 Chev 3500 Dually w/ 454 engine..
> >
> >Problem: Absolute sucky fuel use. I don't mean "well you gotta big
> >engine, of course it's going to suck" kind of mileage. I mean like 3 to
4
> >miles per gallon. Empty. Not towing.
> >
> >Tried: Dealer and independent repair shop evaluation. (One shop even
had
> >a brand new, supposedly very high tech Snap-On digital engine anylizer.
No
> >information from them other than "Well, the compression is good.")
Result
> >is that all OBDII readings are within spec. Engine has around 49,000
> >highway miles. We put on a new fuel regulator, no help. (Thought there
was
> >a TSB.)
>
> Check the O2 sensors -- I gotta think something is latched lean, which
> causes the ECU to run the engine way rich. Running that rich will lead to
> really high EGTs, too, which will kill the cats, too (by melting the
insides).
>
> >It runs great. No one can seem to figure out why this is. Can anyone
> >relate any common experiences?? Any suggested areas to look at? Thanks
> >gang!
>
> Are the plugs okay? Something like this, the plugs should be nearly
> dripping wet with fuel fouling. Vapor cannister purge system is another
> possibility. But nearly all of these should twig something in OBD-II. Is
> the crankcase full of gas? Air filter clogged? Exhaust plugged?
>
> Check for fuel leaks, stuck injectors, the neighbor kid with the 2nd-gen
> Camaro (you know the one: mullet haircut, the car has air shocks and
> extended spring shackles, and the rear tires stick out of the wheelwells
> about 3") that, despite $2/gallon premium in the area, has enough cash for
> a new set of chrome exhaust tips for his 2" pipes, the driver who seems to
> like running 4WD Low Range all the time or mats the gas pedal and
regulates
> his speed with the brakes, a driving regime that consists entirely of
> highway speeds uphill and into the wind, and that same neighbor kid saving
> gas by hooking his Camaro to the back bumper on the morning commute...
>
> Jim Crider
> autojim@att.net
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