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FJ getting poor mpg read here!

Discussion in 'FJ Cruisers' started by andy2003, Aug 17, 2012.

  1. Aug 17, 2012 at 2:47 PM
    #1
    andy2003

    andy2003 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Hey guys recently I noticed my 07 dropped mpg horrible so I started the search for what I might do to help the problem. Long story short after changing plugs I was still only getting around 200 miles a tank! Stumbled across fjcruiserforums.com and found a thread all about the problem. I had noticed my exhaust had gotten a deeper tone to it almost like having a flow master muffler and I didn't. Apparently the FJ's have been having older thermostats becoming weak and they will end up running wide open. This is letting the engine temp stay at 150 instead of 180/185. Which causes the computer to think its cold and dump extra fuel to warm it up. Which has caused some cats to go bad early from burning the extra fuel off there.(deeper exhaust tone) So if you have noticed a sharp drop either constant or some of the time try switching your thermostat out. I picked housing and all up at the local dealer for 43 bucks. Worse case if it doesn't help your not out much coin. Mine has returned to getting just over 300 miles a tank driving it mostly interstate setting cruise at 70. Which same tactics week before had me getting 12mpg. Hope it might help some let me know.
     
  2. Aug 17, 2012 at 2:55 PM
    #2
    The1youluv2hate

    The1youluv2hate Well-Known Member

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    Cool thanks for the info :thumbsup:
     
  3. Aug 17, 2012 at 3:09 PM
    #3
    KenLyns

    KenLyns 8.75" Third Member

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    Thanks for the info. I think I will just replace the thermostat at the same time as the coolant change (every 4 years or 40k miles)
     
  4. Aug 17, 2012 at 4:00 PM
    #4
    andy2003

    andy2003 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    No problem guys! I hope it helps and Im going to do the same thing on the coolant as well. I flushed mine best I could drained it used hose till I got all I could out of the drain plugs. I ran into same issues the OP was having on the FJ forum with the dealer. I had them check it over could not find a thing wrong. Was told if something was wrong the check engine light would come on. Whole time a 40 buck part could have saved me a bunch of gas money. I did my fuel mileage this morning with a fill up and was back up to 18.2 mpg. Of course if you drive it like you stole it it will be less but at least you know you can get good mpg when you want!
     
  5. Dec 23, 2012 at 6:59 PM
    #5
    lucky73

    lucky73 Limited

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    i tell other FJ owners when I meet them about this thermostat issue
     
  6. Dec 23, 2012 at 7:10 PM
    #6
    skidooman

    skidooman I'm your huckleberry

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    How many miles does your FJ have on it?
     
  7. Dec 23, 2012 at 7:44 PM
    #7
    lucky73

    lucky73 Limited

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    mine? 9,000
     
  8. Dec 23, 2012 at 7:54 PM
    #8
    Khaos

    Khaos Big Member

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    200 miles per tank, is that all city driving or mixed?
     
  9. Dec 23, 2012 at 8:42 PM
    #9
    skidooman

    skidooman I'm your huckleberry

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    No, sorry. I was wondering about the OP's.
     
  10. Dec 24, 2012 at 3:47 AM
    #10
    andy2003

    andy2003 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Next oil change will be 85000 I think just a little over 83 right now
     
  11. Dec 24, 2012 at 10:09 AM
    #11
    lucky73

    lucky73 Limited

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    if you are under 200 per tank on HWY something is wrong - unless towing, hauling, or snowing/4x4
     
  12. Dec 24, 2012 at 10:51 AM
    #12
    andy2003

    andy2003 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Changed stat back up to 300 plus a tank
     
    camillethetoy likes this.
  13. Mar 15, 2013 at 10:55 AM
    #13
    Denteen

    Denteen Well-Known Member

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    WTH!!!!!!!
    it cant be that easy! I am lucky to get 230/tank on my TRD 2007 6 speed, and that is with me driving very casually. I have a 2"lift and +1 size tires, nothing crazy. I usually take the Prius (YES! I HAVE A PRIUS TOO!! AND A TACOMA 4X4!!!BRING IT!!!:)

    I am going to do this asap! Along with new plugs, which are old. I will be so stoked if this works.
    What fuel you using? Premium or Regular? I have to admit I use Regular alot, and no noticeable difference.
     
  14. Mar 15, 2013 at 11:00 AM
    #14
    KenLyns

    KenLyns 8.75" Third Member

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    If the thermostat is stuck open, shouldn't the temp gauge read lower? Our old Caravan with the 3.0L engine had this problem, and the temp gauge would always read cold, resulting in no heat, etc.
     
  15. Mar 15, 2013 at 2:41 PM
    #15
    Fenwick1993

    Fenwick1993 Hillbilly

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    Was this one of the ones with the Mitsubishi 3.0? We had a '91 Caravan with one of those, nothing but problems from the day my parents bought it. With those, once one thing goes wrong, things never stop going wrong. We now have a 97 Caravan we got from a friend with one of the Mitsu 3.0's, and it's terrible as well. Our '94 Grand Caravan, with the Mopar 3.3, is excellent. Never had a problem with it, and it's at 244k.
     
  16. Mar 23, 2013 at 7:14 PM
    #16
    EatMyTacomaDust

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    Good info - thanks
     
  17. Jul 9, 2013 at 4:32 PM
    #17
    paintdiddy

    paintdiddy Machine gun shits

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    I'll have to look into mine. I have an 07 fj and the mileage is shit.im doing a 1/4 tank a day.i think my truck has the trd exhaust cause it does have a deep tone.(bought truck used) ill have to climb under and check.i just filled tank and will clock mileage and see how bad it is.
     
  18. Jul 11, 2013 at 4:32 PM
    #18
    dexterdog

    dexterdog My pee parts itch

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    I just bought a pristine a 07 but it has 82000 miles on it so I will do a spark plug change and the thermostat as well
     
  19. Jul 13, 2013 at 11:38 AM
    #19
    Agent Smith

    Agent Smith Always outnumbered, never outgunned

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    So did the dash temp gauge correspond with the effed thermostat? As in, was it reading lower than the normal middle of the range?
     
  20. Jul 14, 2013 at 11:49 PM
    #20
    Cortland

    Cortland THIS IS AMERICA!!!

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    Interesting, I am only getting about 250 miles per tank in my Tacoma
     
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