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Sudden decline in MPG

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by calebdnehus, Jan 21, 2013.

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  1. Jan 21, 2013 at 5:59 PM
    #1
    calebdnehus

    #1
    calebdnehus [OP] Well-Known Member

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    My 1998 Tacoma went from getting 19-20 MPG to getting 13-14 MPG over one tank. I am now still getting the same bad mileage on my third tank. I have a cold air intake from K&N and the tube had come a little disconnected from the air filter. I fixed this and I'm still getting bad mileage. Any ideas on the problem here? My filter is clean and the engine runs in the normal RPM range and is smooth running just like normal. It is the 3.4 V6 model prerunner. I also have the ECT button in the norm position, I've tried all I can think of so I thought I would turn to the experts here at TW. thank you for the help
     
    calebdnehus, Jan 21, 2013
    #1
  2. Jan 21, 2013 at 6:01 PM
    #2
    TacomaJPP

    #2
    TacomaJPP To secure peace, is to prepare for war

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    Here are several thoughts:

    1) Find a gas station that sells 100% gas (no ethanol crap) and run that.
    2) Have you changed plugs and wires lately?
    3) Have you checked the air pressure in your tires? Cold weather will deflate your tires.
     
    TacomaJPP, Jan 21, 2013
    #2
  3. Jan 21, 2013 at 6:04 PM
    #3
    AK Taco

    #3
    AK Taco Well-Known Member

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    Maf sensor on the intake?
     
    AK Taco, Jan 21, 2013
    #3
  4. Jan 21, 2013 at 6:07 PM
    #4
    GREEKBOY12295

    #4
    GREEKBOY12295 Well-Known Member

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    1. is almost impossible to do.
     
    GREEKBOY12295, Jan 21, 2013
    #4
  5. Jan 21, 2013 at 6:10 PM
    #5
    LDurchy

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    LDurchy Well-Known Member

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    Check the insides of your air filter to see if it injested something or some creature crawled into it and died.
     
    LDurchy, Jan 21, 2013
    #5
  6. Jan 21, 2013 at 6:18 PM
    #6
    calebdnehus

    #6
    calebdnehus [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I will do 1&3 as I haven't tried those yet.. I changed my plugs and wires in the sure of 2011. Are they due for another change?

    I have one on there and it seems to be fine, but I haven't taken it out and checked because I assumed that it would be okay since it was protected by the air tubing
     
    calebdnehus, Jan 21, 2013
    #6
  7. Jan 21, 2013 at 6:33 PM
    #7
    TacomaJPP

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    TacomaJPP To secure peace, is to prepare for war

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    Nope, you should be good.
     
    TacomaJPP, Jan 21, 2013
    #7
  8. Jan 21, 2013 at 6:36 PM
    #8
    calebdnehus

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    calebdnehus [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Okay, it's just got me stumped as to why it would drop like that. I have an afternarket oiled air filter so I may check the MAF to see if its clogged up. I just read that this could be a problem
     
    calebdnehus, Jan 21, 2013
    #8
  9. Jan 21, 2013 at 6:37 PM
    #9
    TacomaJPP

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    TacomaJPP To secure peace, is to prepare for war

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    I guess it may be depending on your neck of the woods, and according to the link below, AZ only has 4. I have 3 stations on my route to work that do.

    http://pure-gas.org
     
    TacomaJPP, Jan 21, 2013
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  10. Jan 21, 2013 at 6:38 PM
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    TacoDawgfan

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    TacoDawgfan Hunker Down You Hairy Dawg!

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    It starts when you join TW. ;)
     
    TacoDawgfan, Jan 21, 2013
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  11. Jan 21, 2013 at 6:41 PM
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    That Dude Tim

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    That Dude Tim, Jan 21, 2013
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  12. Jan 21, 2013 at 7:05 PM
    #12
    calebdnehus

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    calebdnehus [OP] Well-Known Member

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    calebdnehus, Jan 21, 2013
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  13. Jan 21, 2013 at 7:36 PM
    #13
    ffirg

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    ffirg Well-Known Member

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    x2 on tire pressure. It can make a difference in mileage, but I don't know about that big of a drop in mpg.
     
    ffirg, Jan 21, 2013
    #13
  14. Jan 21, 2013 at 7:40 PM
    #14
    Joels98taco

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    Joels98taco Well-Known Member

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    i think its the maf. the oil from the k&n gets sucked in sticks to the maf and dirt then sticks to the oil. maf makes a huge difference in the motor
     
    Joels98taco, Jan 21, 2013
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  15. Jan 21, 2013 at 7:51 PM
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    Executive

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    Emergency brake stuck on?

    Tire pressure low?

    Tranny problem?

    4x4 engaged?


    Hope you find the solution soon.

    Chris
     
    Executive, Jan 21, 2013
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  16. Jan 21, 2013 at 8:29 PM
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    SUPERNICK

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    SUPERNICK Active Member

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    Would the MAF make the check engine light come on? Or maybe/maybe not
     
    SUPERNICK, Jan 21, 2013
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  17. Jan 21, 2013 at 8:37 PM
    #17
    Joels98taco

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    Joels98taco Well-Known Member

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    depends. my brothers maf went bad in his ranger and no light. mine was dirty and no light but still acted funny
     
    Joels98taco, Jan 21, 2013
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  18. Jan 21, 2013 at 8:53 PM
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    calebdnehus

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    calebdnehus [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I haven't seen any check engine light in mine yet. Need to check tire pressure, and on that note.. What would you guys run a set of 31x10.50's at? It sounds like the majority of input is pointing to the maf. That would probably be the likely culprit because I haven't cleaned it since I installed the K&N about 1 1/2 years ago
     
    calebdnehus, Jan 21, 2013
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  19. Jan 21, 2013 at 8:54 PM
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    calebdnehus

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    calebdnehus [OP] Well-Known Member

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    My tranny shifts out great and my truck isn't a 4x4... I wish it was! Lol
     
    calebdnehus, Jan 21, 2013
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  20. Jan 21, 2013 at 10:09 PM
    #20
    Blackdawg

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    Blackdawg Dr. Frankenstein

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    Why you should go back to dry filters. Oil from k&ns can get on the MAF. Clean it. Also plug wires and fuel filter.
     
    Blackdawg, Jan 21, 2013
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