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More problems for my '07. Suggestions welcome.

968 views 4 replies 3 participants last post by  UnexplodedCow 
#1 ·
Some of you may have remembered my question regarding clutch life, and the subsequent problems with a dealer in replacing the flywheel. I did manage to get a replacement wheel, and was reimbursed for what I'd paid..so that was resolved.

However, since the car came back from the dealer in August, I've struggled to get 28 mpg on the freeway (I had been getting 31+ every drive). Most recently (probably due to winter gas here in WV), my gas mileage has gone to utter crap.

Using all the tricks I know to try for higher economy (so far it's working), has netted me 26.5 mpg on the highway, doing 65-70, with a LOT of neutral coasting and drafting. City is roughly 12, depending on how little idling I do.

For the record, I'm getting passed by literally everything on the road by going slow, and trying to get some reasonably similar numbers to what I had (my personal best was 34.9 mpg on a 58 mile stretch shortly after getting the car).

I've changed the spark plugs, wires, fuel filter, air filter, and cleaned the MAF sensor...no dice on any of it. I did manage to catch a quick whiff of the exhaust after stepping out of the car briefly, and the thing smells like my old carb'd Bronco. To say it's running rich by smell is an understatement.

I'm driving grandma slow in this thing, and it's topping at 16 mpg with 50/50 highway/city. Coasting isn't quite as good as I remember, but I haven't found any dragging brakes, and the tranny fluid is full. Shifting is also a PITA lately, and the clutch let a small squeal out yesterday. Mileage is now just passed 60k.

To top it off, my car has the passenger floorboard leak, which has me wondering if I should keep it. I may be able to work out a deal for a newer model (probably a V6 as well..don't mind them), but the whole reason I went to buying a CPO, or newer vehicle was so that I would be able to avoid problems, or at least lessen the likelihood.

If people have some suggestions on what to possibly check (outside of codes..which I plan to check soon) that would cause a drastic change in mileage (without changing habits, terrain, traffic patterns, or even gas blend in the beginning). Yes, I've kept tire pressure at the 4 PSI above door jamb recommendation..the car felt best with that pressure.

I love the car, but maybe I should bite the bullet and spend a little more to get something new. As for having a dealer work on it, I won't take it back where I bought it from, and can't get a loaner from any other dealer. My old Escort is getting a new project engine, so it's currently down at the moment, with the Mustang as my daily. No public transport to speak of here, no sidewalks, bike lanes, or really any form of transit aside from driving myself, so this is a relatively big deal in terms of mobility.

Sorry for the ramblings, and thanks.
 
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#2 ·
I'd check those codes.
If I were you I'd get the GT. I bought the GT partly because when I looked at the window stickers at the dealership the MPG ratings only differed by about 2 MPG. Sure enough, if I put my car on cruise control on the highway (60 mph) it'll get 30+ MPG on a level road, 27-28 on a hilly one. Around town I can get 12-16 MPG, 20 MPG with a 50/50 mix.
I also suggest the GT because you get a more heavy duty rear end, and bigger brakes. I'd imagine also a stronger clutch/flywheel. they probably upgraded the entire drivetrain. My original clutch has 130,000 miles on it and its had no problems.

In any case from the sounds of it, something is definitely wrong with your car and if it's running rich, that will be hard on the catalytics too.
 
#3 ·
At cruise these cars operate “closed loop”, that is to say the PCM uses data from the O2 sensors to set the A/F ratio to optimum for mileage and emissions. If the O2 sensors are going bad that can cause them to run rich and screw up mileage. If you haven’t got a CEL yet it may be coming in the next 5K miles if the sensors are drifting out of spec. Another possibility is that the wrong fluid may've been installed in the transmission, but that wouldn't cause the rich odor. Sticking brake calipers also come to mind, but at 60K miles I wouldn't expect that. Until it throws a code though it may be tough to really diagnose the actual problem.
 
#4 ·
Konrad - yes, I've considered a GT, and have also wondered what the insurance difference might be. WV has fairly high prices - $100 a month for full coverage on my V6 (I have no tickets or accidents). It's mostly due to the vast number of people driving without insurance.

Stars - thanks for the info. That may explain why cruise is causing the problem. Why I don't do much better with using my foot (95% of my driving is without cruise, as I don't much care for it).

I am trying to listen for noises as well, with the seats down. Anyone know if it's common to hear an almost white noise sound (gear noise, as it doesn't change with braking, and shows up around 20 mph) from the rear? I've ridden in a couple other newer Mustangs, and not heard the sound, but the radio was on and the seats were up. Still, all the other rear drive cars I've driven/had never made a similar noise. I didn't notice it before the flywheel TSB.

Another possibility that came to mind is the squealing clutch.


I may consider a GT of the same year, or right around there, although I am a touch concerned as to how common the water leak is, and in what years it's more common (seems to be common from what I see on these, and other forums).

Thanks for the advice, guys. I'll probably start looking at other cars and see where that leads me. No easy way out of this yet :kooky:
 
#5 ·
I think I found a '10 GT base that I may be able to trade up for. I'm glad mine is already paid off. I also spotted a '09 GT premium. Both cars have about 5k miles on them, so they should be in excellent shape mechanically, unless the previous owners didn't know how to drive a manual.
My car decided to start leaking on the driver side, too (right on my foot). I also smelled the clutch yesterday while hopping onto the freeway. My foot wasn't on the clutch pedal (100% engaged), and the other foot wasn't pressing on the throttle pedal that far (about halfway). It seems things are progressing with this car quickly. I just need to hold out until the new year, maybe just before, and I should be able to snag a newer car.

No, I don't want an '11 or newer...too many transmission complaints from what I've noticed. Maybe that's the minority being loud, but I would still prefer having the V8 at this point.
 
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