Drinking Gas

I assume by a 'real' scan tool you mean a good one? I'm not sure what my
buddies got until I borrow it. I may have to get it read some where or buy a
descent one. Any suggestions for a good code reader?

Thanks
Brian


"TranSurgeon" <nobulltrans.RemoveThis@mchsi.dotcom> wrote in message
news:tYMsd.447807$wV.17284@attbi_s54...
 > bad O2 sensor will do that
 >
 > if you can get a 'real' scan tool, watch the O2 volts
 >
 > each sensor should switch back and forth, above and below 0.45 volts
 >
 > if one is stuck on the low side, it is telling the ECM that there is a lot
 > of free O2 in the exhaust, and the ECM adds gas
 >
 >
 > "el Diablo" <nomail.RemoveThis@spam.not> wrote in message
 > news:COCdnYC9uPg3BS7cRVn-rw@giganews.com...
  > > All thoughts welcome.
  > >
  > > My 1999 K1500 that has a 5.7 liter automatic transmission with a 3:42
rear
  > > ratio has just recently started liking gas more than it usually does.
I've
  > > dropped from an average of 15 mpg to 13 mpg. Just sort of happened over
  > > night. The truck has only 67,000 miles on it and other than the sudden
gas
  > > usage seams to run fine.
  > > I'm going to borrow a friends code reader this coming week and see if
 > there
  > > are any hints in there. As far as I know the plugs and wires are
original,
 > I
  > > replaced the cap and rotor at 55,000 miles. I looked at the plugs then
and
  > > they looked good still. Air and fuel filter was changed within the last
  > > 10,000 miles and I looked at the air filter today and it looks good.
  > > So in the event that I don't get any codes from the computer can anyone
  > > offer some suggestions? Could one of the oxygen sensors be bad and not
 > give
  > > a code? I guess that I could have a leaky fuel injector too?
  > >
  > >
  > > Thanks
  > > Brian
  > >
  > >
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Drinking Gas 

If you live in an area of the country that "oxygenates" the fuel, you may
notice an decrease in mileage as well. It happened to me every winter in
NY, NJ when I lived up that way.....may seem like an "overnight problem"


"el Diablo" <nomail DeleteThis @spam.not> wrote in message
news:COCdnYC9uPg3BS7cRVn-rw@giganews.com...
 > All thoughts welcome.
 >
 > My 1999 K1500 that has a 5.7 liter automatic transmission with a 3:42 rear
 > ratio has just recently started liking gas more than it usually does. I've
 > dropped from an average of 15 mpg to 13 mpg. Just sort of happened over
 > night. The truck has only 67,000 miles on it and other than the sudden gas
 > usage seams to run fine.
 > I'm going to borrow a friends code reader this coming week and see if
there
 > are any hints in there. As far as I know the plugs and wires are original,
I
 > replaced the cap and rotor at 55,000 miles. I looked at the plugs then and
 > they looked good still. Air and fuel filter was changed within the last
 > 10,000 miles and I looked at the air filter today and it looks good.
 > So in the event that I don't get any codes from the computer can anyone
 > offer some suggestions? Could one of the oxygen sensors be bad and not
give
 > a code? I guess that I could have a leaky fuel injector too?
 >
 >
 > Thanks
 > Brian
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Drinking Gas 

That's interesting, I live in Cincinnati Ohio and we have just had the
weather change to cooler weather in the last few weeks. But as far as the
fuel being oxygenated, wouldn't that be to increase the burning efficiency?

Thanks
Brian

"Eightupman" <eightupman.TakeThisOut@newemail.com> wrote in message
news:GOOsd.1874$Pw1.783590@twister.southeast.rr.com...
 > If you live in an area of the country that "oxygenates" the fuel, you may
 > notice an decrease in mileage as well. It happened to me every winter in
 > NY, NJ when I lived up that way.....may seem like an "overnight problem"
 >
 >
 > "el Diablo" <nomail.TakeThisOut@spam.not> wrote in message
 > news:COCdnYC9uPg3BS7cRVn-rw@giganews.com...
  > > All thoughts welcome.
  > >
  > > My 1999 K1500 that has a 5.7 liter automatic transmission with a 3:42
rear
  > > ratio has just recently started liking gas more than it usually does.
I've
  > > dropped from an average of 15 mpg to 13 mpg. Just sort of happened over
  > > night. The truck has only 67,000 miles on it and other than the sudden
gas
  > > usage seams to run fine.
  > > I'm going to borrow a friends code reader this coming week and see if
 > there
  > > are any hints in there. As far as I know the plugs and wires are
original,
 > I
  > > replaced the cap and rotor at 55,000 miles. I looked at the plugs then
and
  > > they looked good still. Air and fuel filter was changed within the last
  > > 10,000 miles and I looked at the air filter today and it looks good.
  > > So in the event that I don't get any codes from the computer can anyone
  > > offer some suggestions? Could one of the oxygen sensors be bad and not
 > give
  > > a code? I guess that I could have a leaky fuel injector too?
  > >
  > >
  > > Thanks
  > > Brian
  > >
  > >
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Drinking Gas 

I believe California has some of the worst gas in the country (due to EPA
regs "Helping" then environment) Get about 12 in the summer, 10 in the
winter. Its been doing this for as long as I have owned the truck.

I love my old truck though, 1971 F250, 6 MPG, winter summer, full empty, It
didn't care.

Eightupman wrote:
 > If you live in an area of the country that "oxygenates" the fuel, you
 > may notice an decrease in mileage as well. It happened to me every
 > winter in NY, NJ when I lived up that way.....may seem like an
 > "overnight problem"
 >
 >
 > "el Diablo" <nomail.DeleteThis@spam.not> wrote in message
 > news:COCdnYC9uPg3BS7cRVn-rw@giganews.com...
  >> All thoughts welcome.
  >>
  >> My 1999 K1500 that has a 5.7 liter automatic transmission with a
  >> 3:42 rear ratio has just recently started liking gas more than it
  >> usually does. I've dropped from an average of 15 mpg to 13 mpg. Just
  >> sort of happened over night. The truck has only 67,000 miles on it
  >> and other than the sudden gas usage seams to run fine.
  >> I'm going to borrow a friends code reader this coming week and see
  >> if there are any hints in there. As far as I know the plugs and
  >> wires are original, I replaced the cap and rotor at 55,000 miles. I
  >> looked at the plugs then and they looked good still. Air and fuel
  >> filter was changed within the last 10,000 miles and I looked at the
  >> air filter today and it looks good.
  >> So in the event that I don't get any codes from the computer can
  >> anyone offer some suggestions? Could one of the oxygen sensors be
  >> bad and not give a code? I guess that I could have a leaky fuel
  >> injector too?
  >>
  >>
  >> Thanks
  >> Brian<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Drinking Gas 

You would think so, but it has more to do with adding a bit more alcohol I
think in order to bring polutants down in the winter months with the low
weather ceilings and all. I honestly would have to do a bit more research
on the scientifics of it.

But I do know that I used to get worse gas mileage for sure, and was very
evident in shorter trips around town. Longer trips tended to be just
slightly less, but I chalked it up to having to stop and go when there was a
winter accident on the roads....


"el Diablo" <nomail.RemoveThis@spam.not> wrote in message
news:sYydnfRvhtyDXy7cRVn-gQ@giganews.com...
 > That's interesting, I live in Cincinnati Ohio and we have just had the
 > weather change to cooler weather in the last few weeks. But as far as the
 > fuel being oxygenated, wouldn't that be to increase the burning
efficiency?
 >
 > Thanks
 > Brian
 >
 > "Eightupman" <eightupman.RemoveThis@newemail.com> wrote in message
 > news:GOOsd.1874$Pw1.783590@twister.southeast.rr.com...
  > > If you live in an area of the country that "oxygenates" the fuel, you
may
  > > notice an decrease in mileage as well. It happened to me every winter
in
  > > NY, NJ when I lived up that way.....may seem like an "overnight problem"
  > >
  > >
  > > "el Diablo" <nomail.RemoveThis@spam.not> wrote in message
  > > news:COCdnYC9uPg3BS7cRVn-rw@giganews.com...
   > > > All thoughts welcome.
   > > >
   > > > My 1999 K1500 that has a 5.7 liter automatic transmission with a 3:42
 > rear
   > > > ratio has just recently started liking gas more than it usually does.
 > I've
   > > > dropped from an average of 15 mpg to 13 mpg. Just sort of happened
over
   > > > night. The truck has only 67,000 miles on it and other than the sudden
 > gas
   > > > usage seams to run fine.
   > > > I'm going to borrow a friends code reader this coming week and see if
  > > there
   > > > are any hints in there. As far as I know the plugs and wires are
 > original,
  > > I
   > > > replaced the cap and rotor at 55,000 miles. I looked at the plugs then
 > and
   > > > they looked good still. Air and fuel filter was changed within the
last
   > > > 10,000 miles and I looked at the air filter today and it looks good.
   > > > So in the event that I don't get any codes from the computer can
anyone
   > > > offer some suggestions? Could one of the oxygen sensors be bad and not
  > > give
   > > > a code? I guess that I could have a leaky fuel injector too?
   > > >
   > > >
   > > > Thanks
   > > > Brian
   > > >
   > > >
  > >
  > >
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Drinking Gas 

There is a site about the effect of increased oxygenates listed under
"gasoline FAQ" by Bruce Hamilton that states:
" However, on vehicles with engine management systems, the fuel volume
will be increased to bring the stoichiometry back to the preferred
optimum setting. Oxygen in the fuel can not contribute energy,
consequently the fuel has less energy content. For the same efficiency
and power output, more fuel has to be burnt, and the slight improvements
in combustion efficiency that oxygenates provide on some engines usually
do not completely compensate for the oxygen."
I think that's pretty much it in a nutshell.My mileage here in Cal
always takes a big hit in the cold months.
Best....Brian O.

********************
 >> Stay informed about: Drinking Gas 

OK,here:
http://blizzard.rwic.und.edu/~nordie/cars/gasoline.htm

--for all you budding petrochemical engineers out there.

Best....Brian O.

********************
 >> Stay informed about: Drinking Gas 

"Brian Orion" <brianorion DeleteThis @webtv.net> wrote in message
news:26012-41B6492C-461@storefull-3236.bay.webtv.net...
 > There is a site about the effect of increased oxygenates listed under
 > "gasoline FAQ" by Bruce Hamilton that states:
 > " However, on vehicles with engine management systems, the fuel volume
 > will be increased to bring the stoichiometry back to the preferred
 > optimum setting. Oxygen in the fuel can not contribute energy,
 > consequently the fuel has less energy content. For the same efficiency
 > and power output, more fuel has to be burnt, and the slight improvements
 > in combustion efficiency that oxygenates provide on some engines usually
 > do not completely compensate for the oxygen."
 > I think that's pretty much it in a nutshell.My mileage here in Cal
 > always takes a big hit in the cold months.
 > Best....Brian O.
 >
 > ********************
 >
 >

Thanks for the info, I did check the trucks computer and no error codes. So
I've either got a weak / bad oxygen sensor before the catalytic converter or
it could the gas.

Brian<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Drinking Gas 

That URL doesn't seem to exist.

William The Guesser
 >> Stay informed about: Drinking Gas 

Looks like he changed it .It's now

http://www.turborick.com/gsxr1127/gasoline.html
Question 4.5
Brian O.

********************
 >> Stay informed about: Drinking Gas 

Also question 8.1:

"The most likely reason { for low mileage} is that your local garage
switched to an oxygenated gasoline, and the engine management system
compensated for the oxygen content, causing the fuel consumption to
increase significantly."
Brian O.

********************
 >> Stay informed about: Drinking Gas 

"Brian Orion" <brianorion RemoveThis @webtv.net> wrote in message
news:23080-41B8B819-61@storefull-3238.bay.webtv.net...
 > Also question 8.1:
 >
 > "The most likely reason { for low mileage} is that your local garage
 > switched to an oxygenated gasoline, and the engine management system
 > compensated for the oxygen content, causing the fuel consumption to
 > increase significantly."
 > Brian O.
 >
 > ********************
 >
 >

I guess the reason I don't feel that it's the fuel is my 1994 Chevy Z34
seams to use the same amount of fuel as it always did. The truck was
noticeable just by how often I had to refill, I then did a mileage check and
saw a degrease by 3 mpg.

Brian<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Drinking Gas 

"Trey" <treydog90spam RemoveThis @hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:KK%sd.3118$hd.287@twister.socal.rr.com...
 >I believe California has some of the worst gas in the country (due to EPA
 > regs "Helping" then environment) Get about 12 in the summer, 10 in the
 > winter. Its been doing this for as long as I have owned the truck.
 >
====== I wonder if they studied the effects of getting 2 mpg less on the
enviroment? It seams like you would want a vehicle to get the best mileage
for a cleaner overall tailpipe........And also, whats the deal with the
vehicle having to run RICHER because of the fuel? The whole thing sounds
like an oil company conspiracy. "Ok, it will burn cleaner but it will cost
you more per gallon and you will need more of it per mile".....Hmmmmm.

Oh, and if your truck's O2 sensor and plugs and fuel filter have 67K on
them, change them all (It's due:).



 > I love my old truck though, 1971 F250, 6 MPG, winter summer, full empty,
 > It
 > didn't care.
 >
 > Eightupman wrote:
  >> If you live in an area of the country that "oxygenates" the fuel, you
  >> may notice an decrease in mileage as well. It happened to me every
  >> winter in NY, NJ when I lived up that way.....may seem like an
  >> "overnight problem"
  >>
  >>
  >> "el Diablo" <nomail RemoveThis @spam.not> wrote in message
  >> news:COCdnYC9uPg3BS7cRVn-rw@giganews.com...
   >>> All thoughts welcome.
   >>>
   >>> My 1999 K1500 that has a 5.7 liter automatic transmission with a
   >>> 3:42 rear ratio has just recently started liking gas more than it
   >>> usually does. I've dropped from an average of 15 mpg to 13 mpg. Just
   >>> sort of happened over night. The truck has only 67,000 miles on it
   >>> and other than the sudden gas usage seams to run fine.
   >>> I'm going to borrow a friends code reader this coming week and see
   >>> if there are any hints in there. As far as I know the plugs and
   >>> wires are original, I replaced the cap and rotor at 55,000 miles. I
   >>> looked at the plugs then and they looked good still. Air and fuel
   >>> filter was changed within the last 10,000 miles and I looked at the
   >>> air filter today and it looks good.
   >>> So in the event that I don't get any codes from the computer can
   >>> anyone offer some suggestions? Could one of the oxygen sensors be
   >>> bad and not give a code? I guess that I could have a leaky fuel
   >>> injector too?
   >>>
   >>>
   >>> Thanks
   >>> Brian
 >
 >


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 >> Stay informed about: Drinking Gas