God what have I started with my brand comparison thread. I just had one question, sheesh. Didn't mean to start a war.

QUESTION:

My truck, 4.6L 02 4x2, gets 10mpg city/hwy not towing, 87 unleaded. Sucks. But I smell a burnt gunpowder smell, and anyone who's been to the range will know. Are the two related? Can I fix its low MPG problem?

 

Hmmm, the only thing I could possibly think of would be your catalytic converter. Not a 100% sure, but that would be my first guess.

 

well those usually smell like rotten eggs...

 

well if ya quit shootin your engine it would have a gun powder smell to it.

seriously though you have a problem if youre getting that kinda smell along with that kinda milage.

thats just uber crappy..


could be an exhuast leak.

but you'd hear that so,

could also be a gasket going on ya. check for oil around the engine.

i average between 16 to 17 mpg in my 2005 F-150 with the 5.4L and i've got the heavier truck so your milage is really bad.

whens the last time you cleaned your engine? could be something burning..
also how many miles do you have on your truck?

 

There's nothing in your truck that would make a gun powder smell. If you're possibly referring to a sulfer scent, I would also suspect a catalytic converter or exhaust system. If it's a sweet scent, then you're burning anti-freeze.

At 10 MPG, there has got to be something wrong.

 

There's a mechanic who did my timecert (this and my other posts is why I'm getting progressively more annoyed with this truck, hoping a new one wouldn't nickel-and-dime me), and I trust him to give an honest assessment, so I'll take my truck in for him to inspect what the problem may be.

2002 F150 4.6L, 82k miles, no towing, stock everything.

Now.. the mileage has been getting progressively worse. The sparkplugs have 25k miles on em, and I change fluids regularly, but it's never had its timing adjusted in any way, - idk if it needs to.

There are no leaks - my parking space is clean. Acceleration feels fine, and it doesn't drive strained, although sometimes it takes a lil bit for the fourth gear to kick in, but thats rare and probably inconsequential (shifts after 3k rpm sometimes max)..

There are no exhaust smells and the gunpowder smell isn't constant; it comes and goes.

 

The canister in the back behind the spar tire is your fuel vapor canister - it's prolly plugged. or the hose fell off.

Gas milage. The truck needs to be gone thru - maintenanced. My 5.4L has gotten up to 20mpg , averages 16mpg.

Your forward O2's should be replaced & TB cleaned.

Everthing you need to do is in the Haynes/Chiltons books wich are for sale at your local automotive supplier. Ther pretty good books if you like to do things yourself.

 

I have that book and I think I've done everything that the maintenance requires. I've not looked at the canister, though. o2 sensors changed. Where should I look for a comprehensive list of stuff I should actually replace?

Someone said TB and gasket. Which gasket? [edit: nevermind, TB is throttle body, I'm retarded]

Thanks for your help you guys! And some of you I'm beginning to recognize, like jbrew.

 

Yeah, I know I've seen you somewhere before lol.

TB = Throttle Body.

That canister is in section 6 , very last page next to the specs, if I remember correctly , I haven't used those books in a few years..

 

Hah, hell, I wish jbrew lived here, I'd be like heeeeey there jbrew... my truck needs... help... //bats eyes//.. lol.. dunno if that'd work.

 

LOL - don't do that, I'm to much of a sucker.

Anyway, I don't use gaskets above the manifold because they leaked with the propane test, so I use RTV Permatex High Heat Black - No leaks!!

You have to take the TB and elbow off the truck - The ports get clogged after 60,000 miles. You need auto pipe cleaners (sometimes a little chisel) to clean them out.

Also a dirty air filter causes bad MPG's.

Cleaning the TB is relatively easy once you do it..

 

he'd probably wanna picture first


so what state are ya in?

 

I think she's in Cali - Yeah send me a pic lol..

Kidding..

Theres Uber , look at his bumper lol..

 

cali eh? thats just a stones throw away from florida, if supermans throwing the stone.

 

Yeah, it better be a skipping stone