I have a 1997 f150 4x4 with a 4.6 auto and i find it not very powerful and hard on gas almost like it is late in timing . I've only owened for a year and always found it hard on gas about 15 on long run and lucky to get 12 local . Does anyone have any ideas to get better and more power it sucks. I have changed plug wires one coil pack and check cat. buy heat gage but nothing HELP IF YOU CAN thanks roadhammer

 

I have a 97 with the 5.4 and I'm very lucky to break 13 mpg anytime! I usually average 10-12 mpg. The worst I have ever gotten on a long trip was 10.4mpg pulling a 4 horse gooseneck trailer. So I guess i'm destined to get bad gas mileage! Now that I think about it, I think I got 15 mpg once.

 

Now granted my truck is newer, but I'm averaging about 18-20 mpg's. I have had a best of 24 mpg's. Don't ask me how, but routine maintenance is key. I do have an SHM chip, using premium gas 91+ and have a K&N plus K&N/ JBA exhaust. The truck is a reg cab flareside 4x4 with 3.55's. I really can't say. And the worst I've gotten has been 14 or 15 mpg's. I've never towed anything, but it has to be better than my dad's 4-7 mpg's towing his Donzi boat with a v-10 s cab f-350 dually.

 

u should get alot more then that.. have u kept up with basic matinence.. sound like u need a tuneup on it.

 

i had a 98 4.6 4x4 scab that averaged 17 until i hit 35000.

How long has it been for plugs and O2 sensors?

Mine began to PING heavily on hills and I had read that there was some cleaning that could be done on the intake.

I traded the truck a few months later.

 

yeh cleaning of EGR ports will fix that.

 

What's the best way to clean the EGR ports? I ask because I'm a dummy, and don't even know what the EGR ports are. I have a 2000 F-150 with the 5.4. I'm lucky to get 15mpg. I've added a K&N, Flowmaster, and the Tornado, absolutely no help at all (even after I figured out that you have to reset the computer).:o

 

You have to add another tornado to the exhause to offset the increased air flow on the intake.

On a serious note, I'm lucky if I get 15 mpg too.

 

Where in the exhaust? Didn't think they made a Tornado for the exhaust. And that's why I added the flowmaster to offset the K&N. The Tornado just swirls the air, right?

 

Sorry, bud. It's kinda a running joke about those tornados. I think they kinda have a bad name, because they don't really do anything. If they did, Ford would put them on the truck from the factory. Do a search on tornado, and you'll see what I'm talkin about.

 

Go figure! That's another $60 down the drain. Shoulda had my wife research it first, she's the Queen of research. What about those computer chips? With gas prices skyrocketing, 15mpg just ain't gonna cut it, and I LOVE my truck.

 

Still wondering about the EGR ports.

 

I was curious about the egr ports on my truck, so I went outside and took the egr valve off and the ports aren't stopped up. They have a coating of soot on them, but they're as big around as my pinky finger, so I think they're breathing fine. I put everything back together and left it alone.
I have a 97 5.4

How many miles are on your truck cakid?

*edit* I said ports, and mine only had one. (kinda tired)

 

Here are two pages on how to get to and clean the egr ports on the throttle body.

http://www.fordf150.net/howto/throttlebodyclean.php

http://www.fordf150.net/howto/throttlebodyclean2.php

 

There are about 112k miles on my truck.

Thanks for the links.