Garage Storage Organization and Garage Cabinets

puppet · 05-30-2005, 07:08 PM

I'm gonna say something here that will rub against some fur. I think the 180* t-stat is too low a value.

What could be happening is the car is actually running hotter because of it. With a 180 stat, the coolant doesn't stay in the rad long enough to transfer more of the engine's heat. Coolant is flowing faster than it should and getting even hotter. The comp is adding fuel in an attempt to cool down the engine ... torpedoing your mileage.
Change up to a 195* stat (stock spec) ... see if that helps.

turbovanman · 05-30-2005, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by puppet

I'm gonna say something here that will rub against some fur. I think the 180* t-stat is too low a value.

What could be happening is the car is actually running hotter because of it. With a 180 stat, the coolant doesn't stay in the rad long enough to transfer more of the engine's heat. Coolant is flowing faster than it should and getting even hotter. The comp is adding fuel in an attempt to cool down the engine ... torpedoing your mileage.
Change up to a 195* stat (stock spec) ... see if that helps.

That would be me, the 180 is just low enough to keep the engine cooler but high enough it doesn't make the engine run in open loop. I have run my van with both temps and gas mileage was virtually the same, terrible, lol!

puppet · 05-30-2005, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbovanman

That would be me, the 180 is just low enough to keep the engine cooler but high enough it doesn't make the engine run in open loop. I have run my van with both temps and gas mileage was virtually the same, terrible, lol!

... woof, I don't know what your crying about. How bad can vanhellen's mileage be? ... heh.

I still think it's possible. The timing of summer temps and Tim's problem seem to point in this direction. Add to that Mr. AutoZone's scanner output.

Tim_K · 05-30-2005, 08:06 PM

What's an MIL light?

Temperatures around here have been pretty steady in the 60's and 70's all through the month of May. The car has gotten the same mileage in hotter and colder weather with THIS thermostat in it.

Anyone want to take a guess as to if changing the SMEC (for a junkyard 2.5 Turbo Minivan one) will make any difference?

I have been getting codes 12, 22, and 55 the last 3 times I checked the codes. Could be from trying to start the car with the coolant temp sensor wire unplugged a couple days ago.

turbovanman · 05-30-2005, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim_K

What's an MIL light?

Temperatures around here have been pretty steady in the 60's and 70's all through the month of May. The car has gotten the same mileage in hotter and colder weather with THIS thermostat in it.

Anyone want to take a guess as to if changing the SMEC (for a junkyard 2.5 Turbo Minivan one) will make any difference?

I have been getting codes 12, 22, and 55 the last 3 times I checked the codes. Could be from trying to start the car with the coolant temp sensor wire unplugged a couple days ago.

12 and 55 are normal, 22 is coolant temp. Disconnect the battery for 5 mins and recheck for codes in a few days. If 22 comes back, your coolant sensor is probably bad. MIL light is your check engine light!

Quote:

Originally Posted by puppet

... woof, I don't know what your crying about. How bad can vanhellen's mileage be? ... heh.

I still think it's possible. The timing of summer temps and Tim's problem seem to point in this direction. Add to that Mr. AutoZone's scanner output.

I averaged 15-17 when she ran, now its gets a million miles to the gallon or more!

22dodge · 05-30-2005, 09:46 PM

MIL = Malfunction Indicator Lamp. this is the officail acronym used under OBD II guidelines for "check engine", "service engine soon" or "power loss" idiot lamp.

Still sounds like you are chacing your tail.....

My 1994 2.5 5-speed voyager had a fuel milage issue just this past week. normally I pull 28/29 mpg consistantly. when I checked my milage on Thursday fill up, down to 22mpg. so I plug in my DRB III and see NO codes however I notice the Oxygen sensor is lazy and hanging right around .40 - .60 v. very little movement beyond those points. So I swapped out with a select good used sensor from a 3.3 caravan. ran a bunch of miles over the holiday weekend and rechecked milage just about 2 hours ago. back to 28.4mpg.

Tim_K · 05-30-2005, 09:51 PM

I might go try to find a junkyard O2 sensor tomorrow. No cash to spare for a new one right now.

turbovanman · 05-30-2005, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim_K

I might go try to find a junkyard O2 sensor tomorrow. No cash to spare for a new one right now.

Tim_K · 05-30-2005, 10:48 PM

Hey Simon, if you want to buy me a NEW Mopar O2 sensor, go right ahead. Give me an email address so I can tell you my mailing address to send it to.

turbovanman · 05-30-2005, 10:52 PM

All I am saying is your going to waste money buying a used sensor and you still won't know if the new/used one is any good.

Find a shop you trust and have them check the ox sensor with a labscope, I would charge you $20 if you were near me. He/she could tell you in minutes if the sensor is bad or not and if computer is working correctly for feedback!

Tim_K · 05-31-2005, 10:59 PM

I filled the car up with fuel today. The gauge was showing very nearly empty, but it only took 12.68 gallons to fill, and I mean FILL, as in to the top of the filler tube and shaking the air out a few times. I thought something was wrong. It normally would take 15+ gallons with the gauge pointing to where it was.

It seems the fuel gauge isn't accurate. Maybe the fuel level sender is screwed up. That would explain why the gauge has been swinging all over the place the past few weeks, but never higher than how much fuel it actually had in it.

Calculated mileage was 18.4. Still 2-3 mpg low, but not as bad as I thought.

I'm going to take the power off the computer for 15+ minutes tomorrow to let it reset itself.

puppet · 06-01-2005, 12:04 AM

Well, it would appear that your fuel gauge and your math skills have something in common :-/

Tim_K · 06-01-2005, 12:22 AM

There were another 2 gallons I put in yesterday, so I actually filled 14.68 gallons.

Tim_K · 06-02-2005, 05:53 PM

I think the fuel gauge / sender is part of the problem.

turbovanman · 06-02-2005, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim_K

I think the fuel gauge / sender is part of the problem.

It can only be a problem if you can't do math. Its simple, take mileage and gallons used when you fill up. The guage shouldn't really have anything to do with it!