The Subaru SVX World Network   SVX Network Forums
Live Chat!
SVX or Subaru Links
Old Lockers
Photo Post
How-To Documents
Message Archive
SVX Shop Search
IRC users:

Go Back   The Subaru SVX World Network > SVX Main Forums > Technical Q & A

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 09-08-2010, 01:20 PM
Hondasucks's Avatar
Hondasucks Hondasucks is offline
Subaru Technician
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 1,512
Send a message via AIM to Hondasucks Send a message via MSN to Hondasucks Send a message via Yahoo to Hondasucks
Registered SVX
14mpg :-(

So my car started getting complete crap for mileage, and the check engine light came on. Pulled an o2 sensor code, so I replaced both oxygen sensors ($98/ea) and I'm still getting 14mpg, and developed an EGR code I know we have sh*t gas out here (damn ethanol) but any common problem areas I could check as to what would be killing my economy? I'm currently driving my truck cuz it gets roughly the same mileage and diesel is currently cheaper than premium...
__________________
1992 SVX LS-L #1222 Pearl White
1987 GL Turbo wagon, 5 lug conversion, D/R 5 speed (Rice killer)
1992 Dodge Ram 4x4 diesel (car hauler)
1968 Dodge Polara convertible (Camaro killer)
1990 Toyota Corolla FWD auto (330,000 mile grocery getter)
1986 VW Jetta
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 09-08-2010, 01:23 PM
Hocrest's Avatar
Hocrest Hocrest is offline
Freezepop's are Awesome!!!!
Subaru Silver Contributor
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Pittston, PA
Posts: 5,334
Send a message via AIM to Hocrest
Re: 14mpg :-(

How old is your CTS? Mine wasn't giving a code, but was running rough on start-up. Changed the CTS and jumped 5 mpg.

Get the CTS right from Subaru!!!
__________________
Dave
- 03 Baja - 92 SVX - 86 Brat - 08 OB 3.0
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 09-08-2010, 01:52 PM
Huskymaniac's Avatar
Huskymaniac Huskymaniac is offline
Uses the ignore feature
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Corning, NY
Posts: 1,872
Registered SVX
Re: 14mpg :-(

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hocrest View Post
How old is your CTS? Mine wasn't giving a code, but was running rough on start-up. Changed the CTS and jumped 5 mpg.

Get the CTS right from Subaru!!!
What is a CTS and why did you change it if you didn't have a code for it?
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 09-08-2010, 02:18 PM
scoobymal's Avatar
scoobymal scoobymal is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: UNITED KINGDOM
Posts: 277
Registered SVX
Re: 14mpg :-(

Coolant temperature Sender??
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 09-08-2010, 02:22 PM
LetItSnow's Avatar
LetItSnow LetItSnow is offline
Still Cant' Say the Z-Word
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Syracuse, NY
Posts: 2,338
Send a message via AIM to LetItSnow
Registered SVX
Re: 14mpg :-(

Indeed. Even before it throws a code, it can be in bad enough shape to make starting the engine a challenge.
__________________
Disclaimer: The above post is on the internet.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 09-08-2010, 02:27 PM
Manarius's Avatar
Manarius Manarius is offline
1995 Subaru SVX LSi Polo Green
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Grantham, PA (Near Harrisburg)
Posts: 2,119
Send a message via ICQ to Manarius Send a message via AIM to Manarius Send a message via MSN to Manarius Send a message via Yahoo to Manarius Send a message via Skype™ to Manarius
Registered SVX
Re: 14mpg :-(

Changed your air filter recently? How about spark plugs? Using the A/C a lot? Any one of these could contribute to your poor gas mileage.

(Point of Reference: I usually get 18-19, but can get down to 16 with a lot of A/C use and no highway miles)
__________________
-Jason
(8/23/07-Present) 1995 Subaru SVX LSi (197k) Polo Green (#1102) 03/95
Mods: DDM Tuning 4500k 35w Low Beam HID, 100w H3 Bulbs, Extra Ground Cables, 15 minute $12.96 mod,
svxfiles designed transmission mount (), sporting a "new" tail light bar,
silver BBS rims, custom power steering cooler (one that doesn't dump ATF constantly), new negative lead cable, no more third or fourth gear
(1977-Present) 1977 Chevrolet Corvette (81k) Silver
(12/01/2011-Present) 2005 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 5MT (97k)
I have a bad feeling about this.
-Obi Wan Kenobi
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 09-08-2010, 03:15 PM
kwren's Avatar
kwren kwren is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: washington state
Posts: 3,499
Re: 14mpg :-(

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hondasucks View Post
So my car started getting complete crap for mileage, and the check engine light came on. Pulled an o2 sensor code, so I replaced both oxygen sensors ($98/ea) and I'm still getting 14mpg, and developed an EGR code I know we have sh*t gas out here (damn ethanol) but any common problem areas I could check as to what would be killing my economy? I'm currently driving my truck cuz it gets roughly the same mileage and diesel is currently cheaper than premium...
I have stated many times that the 02 sensor code is a catch all code. Trevor isn't here now to declare war on me so I feel relatively safe repeating it.

I feel for everyone on the "damn ethanol". When the "gestapo" started making the oil companies include 10%, our gas mileage dropped at least 10%

Translation... it was at the very least of no value to us.

Keith
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 09-08-2010, 05:32 PM
Cam Cam is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Lynnwood, WA
Posts: 1,029
Registered SVX
Re: 14mpg :-(

How is the 02 sensor code a "catch-all"?
__________________
Cam

'92 Ls-L Dark Teal
11:1 CR ECUTUNE pistons
ECUTUNE .256 duration intake/exhaust cams
ECUTUNE STAGE 2AV1 ECU
Z32 MAF/SR20DET injectors
Balanced & Blueprinted
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 09-08-2010, 05:51 PM
kwren's Avatar
kwren kwren is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: washington state
Posts: 3,499
Re: 14mpg :-(

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam View Post
How is the 02 sensor code a "catch-all"?
The code comes up frequently when nothing is actually wrong with the 02 sensors. This is pretty easy to prove when one or both 02 sensors are replaced after getting a code and the problem continues to exist and the same 02 cod is generated.

The computer wrongly gives an 02 code because it senses a problem in the system that would be the result of a bad sensor but is not an actual 02 problem... a seeping head gasket for one can cause this to occur.

There are other things also and that is why I call it the "catch all" thingie. (probably not the technical name)

Keith
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 09-09-2010, 07:23 AM
dcarrb dcarrb is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: none
Posts: 3,430
Re: 14mpg :-(

Ethanol in gas is a multi-purpose villain. I've run nothing in my cars but the cheapest no-name E10 swill and both get high teens around town and high twenties on the highway. The silver recently cracked 30 mpg for the first time. With AC.

dcb
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 09-09-2010, 07:59 AM
Huskymaniac's Avatar
Huskymaniac Huskymaniac is offline
Uses the ignore feature
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Corning, NY
Posts: 1,872
Registered SVX
Re: 14mpg :-(

I got a new read on my MPG today and it was 22. That's about 50/50 city/hwy and some use of A/C. I have never gotten a read on pure highway.
__________________
Tony

1996 Polo Green Subaru SVX LSi, 168,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF, Redline 75W90 gear oil, K&N HP-4001 Oil Filter, Mobil 1 5W50 FS (3qt) and 5W30 High Mileage (4qt) Oil Blend, Motul RBF600 Brake Fluid, AC Delco A975C Air Filter, NGK BKR6EIX-11 plugs, Centric Rotors, Power Stop Evolution Carbon Fiber Ceramic Brake Pads
2005 Gray Acura RL, 165,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF with Lubegard Platinum Protectant, Mobil 1 5W20 High Mileage Extended Performance Oil
2009 Red Toyota Venza, 123,XXX, Mobil 1 5W30 High Mileage Oil
1992 Red Ferrari 348 ts, 82,XXX, Redline everything
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 09-09-2010, 09:31 AM
dcarrb dcarrb is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: none
Posts: 3,430
Re: 14mpg :-(

Twenty two is a good number. I started logging mileage closely when fuel prices spiked here in the wake of hurricane Katrina, and my average in both cars is 21-and-change. Most of my driving is pure grocery gettin'. Road trips come in consistently at 27-29 mpg.

Getting back to the topic, I'd disconnect the battery overnight, drive for awhile, record the mileage scrupulously, and see how it looks.

Once I got a brief flicker of a CEL with an accompanying oxygen sensor code, did nothing, and the car probably runs better now than it did back then.

dcb
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 09-09-2010, 12:47 PM
SoCal LS-L's Avatar
SoCal LS-L SoCal LS-L is offline
Avalanche Alcyoneer
Subaru Silver Contributor
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 2,130
Registered SVX
Re: 14mpg :-(

Quote:
Originally Posted by dcarrb View Post
Twenty two is a good number. I started logging mileage closely when fuel prices spiked here in the wake of hurricane Katrina, and my average in both cars is 21-and-change. Most of my driving is pure grocery gettin'. Road trips come in consistently at 27-29 mpg.

Getting back to the topic, I'd disconnect the battery overnight, drive for awhile, record the mileage scrupulously, and see how it looks.

Once I got a brief flicker of a CEL with an accompanying oxygen sensor code, did nothing, and the car probably runs better now than it did back then.

dcb
+1 on this point. Have you done any underhood work recently? A disconnected intake tube hose causing vacuum leak?

What brand of O2 sensor did you buy?
__________________
Chris

"A person convinced against their will, is of the same opinion still"

New?? Find the downloadable SVX Online Service Manual Here
RECOMMENDED READING for newer SVX owners Here some cool info if not fully accurate.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 09-09-2010, 01:08 PM
laserx's Avatar
laserx laserx is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Toronto Canada
Posts: 259
Re: 14mpg :-(

Talking of 02 sensors issues, I've got a strange one. Got 02 and knock sensor codes back from a CEL. Replaced them both all was good for 12 days then the 02 code comes back. Take it back to the dealer, new plugs (had 100km) and gaskets for the exhaust to insure no leaks. 13 days later 02 code again. Back to the dealer, he wants me to buy a new MAF, even though there is nothing to indicate there is a problem with it. They will not consider that perhaps they got a defective 02 sensor. The car drives perfectly with the CEL on, idles perfectly, not a single issue except I'm sick of seeing the CEL on every two weeks....any ideas as to where to start looking or should I just make the order another 02 senor and see if it comes back on?
__________________
1996 Black, 134,000 KM, with Custom Stainless from Headers to Stebro, 17" Wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 225/45/17 Cold Air Intake.
Pioneer AVIC D3 GPS/Video/Sound/Sirius/Bluetooth/USB
Koni struts/ground control coilovers
Stainless steel brake lines
K&N filter, custom front grill
H.I.D low beams 5000k 35w, H.I.D fog/driving 4500k 35w
Clear front and corner lens
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 09-10-2010, 10:29 AM
STORMINORMAN STORMINORMAN is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Upper Left Coast, USA
Posts: 335
Exclamation Re: 14mpg :-(

Quote:
Originally Posted by Huskymaniac View Post
I got a new read on my MPG today and it was 22. That's about 50/50 city/hwy and some use of A/C. I have never gotten a read on pure highway.
Did an 11k mile cross-country trip last year in the '92 and averaged an overall 28 mpg on regular unleaded. If you are getting 14 mpg something is definitely not right.

Good Luck &

Cheers!
__________________
' 92 SVX @ 185K
' 91 420SEL @ 223K!
' 88 420SEL I. @ 178K (what a buy!)
' 87 F250 @ 180K
' 93 ZX-11D @ 29K
' 93 SC400 @ 93K
2001 Valkyrie Interstate @ 6.6K (Brynhild)
Y2K NightHawk 250 @ 1,500 miles
' 88 420SEL II. @ 208K
'85 F150 @ 135K
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 12:06 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
© 2001-2015 SVX World Network
(208)-906-1122