another new guy with another old 4runner

[DL98VFR]

Hello to all, I am brand new to T4R and still finding my way around, but have a couple questions. I totalled my '99 in August (a VERY sad day) an bought a '93 with 72,000 miles shortly before Christmas. I thought I was getting a real deal but a couple problems have showed up, both related to fuel and fuel consumption. First is that the first two times I filled the tank I found a pool of fuel directly under the fuel filler on the passenger side- mechanic assures me there is no leak in the tank; also did a smoke test to find a leak ANYwhere... there is evidently no leak in the filler-neck area because there is no leaking with a 3/4 tank fill up(which I've been doing since). Also, and this seems to be unrelated as I haven't leaked a drop of gasoline in my driveway in several trips to the gas station, I'm getting approx 13 mpg- can this be normal? I got better mileage with my '99 so I am a little concerned. By the way, I am not real mechanicaly inclined, I change my own oil but thats about it- but I am willing to try so any suggestions would be real appreciated. Thanks for reading this far, and thanks for your help!
:shrug:

 

[fourwd1]

Although you didn't say what engine you have, 13 mpg seems awfully low.
Have you checked to see if the ECM has generated any codes?

 

[chevydan04]

Same issue!

You know I just bought a 91 and I am only able to get about 11-12 mpg out of it.

I have allready replaced
-plugs (NGK Platinums)
-wires (Bosch)
-distributer cap (Advanced brand)
-rotor (Auto Zone Special)
-air filter (Stock replacement, from advanced)

Things not installed yet
-fuel filter
-pcv valve

I have Dueler APT 31 10.5 15 tires
Stock suspension
v6 3.0

I have been tinkering with the timing, Actually I haven't been able to get it right, due to the fact I do not have my hood sticker that tells me the advance, and which vacuum lines to plug????) So I have it set by ear.

ANY SUGGESTIONS, I have read alot of old forums talking about fuel gauges being wrong and such, I do have a GPS set up, so I know how many miles I go and my speedo is not off untill above 60mph, which I do not do alot. I keep my tires at 40 PSI.

I do not have any check engine lights, I know my down stream o2 sensor is newer, in almost brand new condition.

Currently I have at half tank marking with 65 miles?????

Anyone have poor mileage in the past? How did you actually fix it, what were your steps?

Some of my ideas that I have not yet done
-get timing correct
-change oil (run synthetic)
-change dif. fluids
-due transmission flush
-transfer case flush
-radiator flush
-I want to get my hands on a diagnostic tool for this truck (hard to find)


ANY OTHER IDEAS or FIXES??????????

HELP

 

[n8buddy]

i also get 11-13 mpg but the engine runs good with no codes so i dont know what it could be. i tried all the usually suspects so i eventually gave up. I will be interested to see what other people did to solve it, if possible.

 

[chevydan04]

additional thoughts

All right so I have just been thinking about the gas consumption of some of our 4runners and how it is below expected.

Some additional things I am going to do in the next several months.

-new timing belt
-new water pump
-debating on pulling air intake manifold and cleaning it out with a sand blaster to get all the crap out of it.
-Also I am going to test my 02 sensors or just replace them
-maybe ill replace my oil pump


A modification that I am going to look into is running electric fans instead of the power robbing direct drive fans that are stock.

Also I am thinking about making a block on the EGR so that the Exhaust Gas doesnt get back into the air manifold.

Also I noticed that the stock air intake has some annoying baffles in it, I may go to a free flow intake or just find some tubing that goes from the stock box to the air intake manifold.

Well any more thoughts out there?

 

[fourwd1]

If you have bigger than stock tires and have not regeared to compensate, your speedo and odo will be off. And your engine will be operating out of it's power band.
Have you taken those factors into consideration when calculating your mpg?