[dicemd]

Ok...first off, I have a 2000 Mustang Convertible V6.
Recently, I had my AIR pump replaced because the "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" diagnosis said that was why the light was on.

Since then, I have been getting TERRIBLE Gas Mileage.

Car runs great when you get it up to speed...but "occasionally", it sputters a tad when taking off.

Being a "basic-know-a-little-about" cars kinda guy, it SOUNDS like there is a:
A) bad gas mixture. Too Lean? or Too Rich maybe?
B) Spark Plug wire? bad?

Help me out Mechanics/Techs!

Things I have already done.
-AIR pump replaced
-Changed Plugs

HELP
Email me ....please

[shinerstang]

I would start with replacing the plug wires. What type of plugs did you use? I've found when replacing plugs, the wires should be done as well. They never come off right, and you never know if they are making solid contact with the plugs/coil.

A couple other things:

1. Change fuel filter
2. Clean air sensor with computer contact cleaner
3. Clean throttle body with Ford Intake cleaner.
4. Some dry gas in the tank wouldn't hurt if you've never done it to break up water.
5. The plug wire connectors are specific to our cars, so get the ones made for them, not generics.

What else am I forgetting guys, it's too early?

[edb2007]

if you replaced the plugs, make sure you have good contact on each wire.

maybe get a timing light to see if theyre all sending current through them... when i checked mine with a timing light i noticed one of my wires was only connecting about half the time....

definatley change your fuel filter... im getting well over 200 miles in a full tank...

[bsintzel]

Were you getting bad mileage when you had the DTR codes read? If so, what codes did they pull off?

I'm wondering if there was some mention of any codes relating to the Intake Air temperature sensor (IAT), Mass air flow sensor (MAF) or the Fuel Pressure Temperature (FPT) sensor. Any of these sensors are able to confuse the EEC if even one of them is defective or producing out-of-spec values. This in turn can produce the same symptoms as bad plugs, bad gas etc, etc.

Call me old fashioned, but I'd recommend investing a small amount of money up front on tools such as a hand-held On-Board Diagnostics version 2 (OBD II) code reader that can help to zero in on the problems from the EEC's perspective, and pick yourself up a cheap rail pressure gauge set. They really are really inexpensive these days and can save you a LOT of grief.

If nothing else, you'll have the tools to use on any car you buy and you won't have to keep buying parts until you hope you get the right combination

That's all she wrote....

[thomasusmc]

In an effort to not spend ANY money on tools or repairs, you could disconnect your battery overnight in an effort to reset the ECU to baseline, then reconnect it. Before you do this, FILL UP THE TANK. Afterward, drive the car as normal until the tank is empty and check your mileage. If it is still off, then I would start investing a few dollars into tools/repairs.

I get about 280-300 miles to a tank with normal driving.

Highway only driving and I get near 400

[arturo_caap]

Originally Posted by thomasusmc

In an effort to not spend ANY money on tools or repairs, you could disconnect your battery overnight in an effort to reset the ECU to baseline, then reconnect it. Before you do this, FILL UP THE TANK. Afterward, drive the car as normal until the tank is empty and check your mileage. If it is still off, then I would start investing a few dollars into tools/repairs.

I get about 280-300 miles to a tank with normal driving.

Highway only driving and I get near 400

Man, then Im really bad I get about 140-160 miles per tank I spend a lot in gas maybe I need to check it too. I have new air and gas filter...

[kscoyote]

Originally Posted by dicemd

Ok...first off, I have a 2000 Mustang Convertible V6.
Recently, I had my AIR pump replaced because the "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" diagnosis said that was why the light was on.

Since then, I have been getting TERRIBLE Gas Mileage.

Car runs great when you get it up to speed...but "occasionally", it sputters a tad when taking off.

Being a "basic-know-a-little-about" cars kinda guy, it SOUNDS like there is a:
A) bad gas mixture. Too Lean? or Too Rich maybe?
B) Spark Plug wire? bad?

Help me out Mechanics/Techs!

Things I have already done.
-AIR pump replaced
-Changed Plugs

HELP
Email me ....please

How many miles are on the car?

How long is your average trip?

[thomasusmc]

Originally Posted by arturo_caap

Man, then Im really bad I get about 140-160 miles per tank I spend a lot in gas maybe I need to check it too. I have new air and gas filter...

The gas in Mexico is not the same quality as that sold in the US. Our pollution laws are more strict than in Mexico. This helps us get better gas mileage, because it burns more efficiently.

Some other problems with your gas mileage could be;
bad spark plugs - either old & dirty or incorrect gap
bad spark plug wires
bad coil pack
dirty fuel filter
dirty air filter
sludge build up in engine - running a motor flush fluid in it at idle for 10-15 minutes will help flush this stuff out. If you do use motor flush, CHANGE THE OIL IMMEDIATELY !! It thins out the oil so much, it runs like water, so you could seize the engine, from a lack of proper lubrication.

[arturo_caap]

Originally Posted by thomasusmc

The gas in Mexico is not the same quality as that sold in the US. Our pollution laws are more strict than in Mexico. This helps us get better gas mileage, because it burns more efficiently.

Some other problems with your gas mileage could be;
bad spark plugs - either old & dirty or incorrect gap
bad spark plug wires
bad coil pack
dirty fuel filter
dirty air filter
sludge build up in engine - running a motor flush fluid in it at idle for 10-15 minutes will help flush this stuff out. If you do use motor flush, CHANGE THE OIL IMMEDIATELY !! It thins out the oil so much, it runs like water, so you could seize the engine, from a lack of proper lubrication.

well thats true
about the bad spark plug wires maybe could be those hace never been changed? at least by me
and I dont know whats the coil pack

[kscoyote]

Originally Posted by arturo_caap

well thats true
about the bad spark plug wires maybe could be those hace never been changed? at least by me
and I dont know whats the coil pack

It's the piece on the front of the engine where all the spark plug wires are connected to.

[arturo_caap]

Oh ok, thanks a lot now I know what your talking about ...

How can I check if is working well?

[kscoyote]

Originally Posted by arturo_caap

Oh ok, thanks a lot now I know what your talking about ...

How can I check if is working well?

Waitaminnit.

Did you remove your catalytic converters?

[eaw]

I have a 6 cyl. tang that will not pass Inspection. the code comes up P1414. The air pump was replaced along with the relay. One hose is missing off the top outlet. So my question is what gets hooked up there? How can I check for the Air Pump is working? What fuse is number? Maybe it could be that? Or even better yet... What do I need to elminate it and fool the computer and pass inspection???


Thanks Everyone

[kscoyote]

Originally Posted by eaw

I have a 6 cyl. tang that will not pass Inspection. the code comes up P1414. The air pump was replaced along with the relay. One hose is missing off the top outlet. So my question is what gets hooked up there? How can I check for the Air Pump is working? What fuse is number? Maybe it could be that? Or even better yet... What do I need to elminate it and fool the computer and pass inspection???


Thanks Everyone

I reckon it should go to the charcoal canister.

PM Markwondi.

[markwondi]

Originally Posted by eaw

I have a 6 cyl. tang that will not pass Inspection. the code comes up P1414. The air pump was replaced along with the relay. One hose is missing off the top outlet. So my question is what gets hooked up there? How can I check for the Air Pump is working? What fuse is number? Maybe it could be that? Or even better yet... What do I need to elminate it and fool the computer and pass inspection???


Thanks Everyone

Take a picture of the hose, otherwise it's a guessing game. The P1414 code is a high input code, which means that missing hose is most likely a vaccum line that goes to the intake manifold (opens the AIR valve)