In response to my gas mileage problems

[TAndrus]

This is a response to: Here

I've recirculated my HKS SSQV, installed some new spark plugs today and I noticed the wires looked good and they were also NGK. Today I'm heading over to home depot to built myself a boost leak test device and I should be able to run that tomorrow. I'll fill up at the end of the day today.

I had a question though.. The guy before me had BPR6EKN plugs in. They looked like this:

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I thought I read somewhere that the dual prong type sparkplugs aren't good for our cars? Is that true? How do those plugs look? Anything stand out that could symbolize something causing poor gas mileage?

Thanks a ton.

 

[tlikethedrink]

dual or more electrodes arent really doin any extra spark. electricity, like water, flows thru the path of least resistance... only 1 of the electrodes is passing spark.
O stay away from platinum plugs too ive heard.

 

[greddyturbo19]

yea stay away from platinum spark plugs they suck go with ngk iridum spark plugs they are the best and is what i run in my car.

 

[gunny11218]

dude those plugs dont look to healthy, unless you know something i dont but i thought plugs were supposed to have a white to tannish tip on them.. my .02

 

[TunaTalon]

For future reference - http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/engine/plugs.html is a good guide for reading spark plugs.

They look like the oil fouled case. Are you using oil, smoking from the exhaust?

The threads on the plugs should be clean if they were properly seated.

 

[snowborder714]

I had a question though.. The guy before me had BPR6EKN plugs in. I thought I read somewhere that the dual prong type sparkplugs aren't good for our cars? Is that true?

The BPR6EKN plugs are the stock plugs for 2G's. They will still work (no better than the ones everyone uses - BPR6ES), but are just more expensive.

yea stay away from platinum spark plugs they suck go with ngk iridum spark plugs they are the best and is what i run in my car.

Both platinum and iridium plugs are both not good for our cars. Copper is the way to go.

 

[Defiant]

Iridiums aren't bad for a turbo application, just much more expensive. They were invented to deal with cars that require major work (engine lifting, etc.) to replace.
Platinums use a very fine electrode which tends to die in turbocharged combustion chambers. Early Bosch platinums had a tendency to shed the side electrode.

 

[TAndrus]

For future reference - http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/engine/plugs.html is a good guide for reading spark plugs.

They look like the oil fouled case. Are you using oil, smoking from the exhaust?

The threads on the plugs should be clean if they were properly seated.

I haven't noticed any smoking from the exhaust..

So I filled my tank up last night and I went from 15mpg to just about 18mpg now. I'd really like to reach 22-24 mpg if I could but I'm not sure what else to try? Any suggestions?

 

[kottyking]

Try running some seafoam through her...

 

[hubz91talontsi]

Ok man ill throw this out at you..Ive been having the same damn probably but mine was around 10 and finally my check engine light came on! It was my fuel trim..i don't know how to fix it..but i know what the problem is..so someone help me now =D

 

[2gGSX]

So I filled my tank up last night and I went from 15mpg to just about 18mpg now. I'd really like to reach 22-24 mpg if I could but I'm not sure what else to try? Any suggestions?

I don't know if it's been mentioned before, but make sure your tires are inflated to the correct pressure as that is a major determinant of fuel economy.

Have you done a compression test?

 

[TAndrus]

Try running some seafoam through her...

I bought a can the other day. Should I put it in the gas tank?

Ok man ill throw this out at you..Ive been having the same damn probably but mine was around 10 and finally my check engine light came on! It was my fuel trim..i don't know how to fix it..but i know what the problem is..so someone help me now =D

I'll have to look into it. Did you take it somewhere for them to diagnose it?

I don't know if it's been mentioned before, but make sure your tires are inflated to the correct pressure as that is a major determinant of fuel economy.

Have you done a compression test?

Yeah, they're inflated and no I haven't ran a compression test. Now you've got me worried that my engine is screwed. Ahhh!

 

[turboglenn]

I bought a can the other day. Should I put it in the gas tank?

run a bottle through the tank and then get another bottle, start the car and tehn pull a large vacuum line off ( preferably towards teh TB and not right at one of teh intake ports ) with teh car running, have a friend rev her up a bit by actuating the throttle body from under teh hood... pinch the vacuum line with your fingers and put it in the sea foam... while the motor's revving start to unpinch the line and let it suck teh sea foam straight into the intake, the car will want to die out but have your friend keep enough throttle on so she won't stall.... gradually regulate the flow of teh sea foam with the pinching of teh line untill you've run the whole bottle through it ..this will knock ton's of carbon build up out of the intake, ports and combustion chamber

don't let too much in at once or you'll risk "hydro locking" the motor since teh liquid won't compress if too much of it gets in the cylinders and this can be bad...

Also disconnect teh cat so it doesn't get clogged full of teh crap that's going to come flying out of the exhaust... this works wonders on cleaning up your engine..but better than sea foam is "mopar combustion chamber cleaner" use it in the same fashion and you'll be surprised how much junk comes out of your motor, i've had a few drinks so hopefully my grammar isn't too bad.... good luck and if in doubt, have some one with some more experience do this for you to avoid the "hydro lock" i mentioned earlier

good luck!

 

[7"exhaust_tip]

i went from 14mpg to 20mpg from putting new plugs and wires, new o2 sensor, rear camber kit, and fixing ALL boost leaks. just something to consider.

 

[snowborder714]

I bought a can the other day. Should I put it in the gas tank?

You'll want to get at least 2 bottles. One will be sucked through the bov line (that runs to the throttle body - the P port on it). Pull the line off the bov end. As stated, pinch the hose gently so that it doesn't get sucked up too fast. Put the hose in the can, start the car, and let the Seafoam slowly get sucked up. Have a person in the cabin, not revving from the tb. You'll want to keep the RPM's between 2500 and 4000 and have the engine see NO boost. Then take the other can and pour most (if not all) into the gas tank. You can also take some and pour it into the crankcase (through the oil cap). Then let the car sit for at least a half hour. Start the car and rev it to create smoke. It will create A LOT!!! Then take for a gentle drive for a bit and then really beat on it until it stops smoking. Let it sit overnight. Then beat on it again in the morning until it stops smoking. Then change the oil and clean the spark plugs. Then run the car until the gas tank is almost empty (not all at once, but don't fill it up with half a tank left). Then fill tank up and put in new spark plugs.