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Old 05-19-2012, 01:16 AM
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Default Bad mpg

I have a 98 trans am completely stock but a lid... It seems recently I have been getting pretty bad gas mileage.. Just wondering what some causes might be?? The car is also running pretty rich. I can smell strong fumes when I am idling. Any thoughts are welcomed. No misfiring though. And the car is running strong.
Old 05-19-2012, 01:47 AM
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What are your bad mpgs? My 99z m6 can get 16-18 city driving and up to 30 on the highway
Old 05-19-2012, 03:00 AM
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whens the last time you did a tune up? or have you tried fuel system cleaner?
Old 05-19-2012, 04:01 AM
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Originally Posted by 98TransAmAngryBird
I have a 98 trans am completely stock but a lid... It seems recently I have been getting pretty bad gas mileage.. Just wondering what some causes might be?? The car is also running pretty rich. I can smell strong fumes when I am idling. Any thoughts are welcomed. No misfiring though. And the car is running strong.
This can be bad o2,dirty fuel filter,plugs,dirty maf,bad gas,or a heavier foot. What you can do is buy some of this stuff and follow these instructions...https://ls1tech.com/forums/general-m...-your-car.html
Old 05-19-2012, 12:41 PM
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Ya I am starting to believe it is a combination of O2 sensors and plugs/wires. I just seafoamed the car about a month ago and changed the fuel filter. I always use 91 octane. Best I can get in Cali.

my MPG highway right now is around 20.. I know my car gets better than that.

city MPG is around 16.

Ill do everything listed above and hopefully she is back to normal
Old 05-19-2012, 01:42 PM
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OP there is definitely something wrong with your car. Do all the simple stuff first plugs,wires,clean maf, and your 02 sensors. Also you might have a vacuum leak somewhere. My DD truck was having a mpg issue and I did all the above mentioned things. It didn't help then I looked and found a vacuum line that was cracked. I fixed the vacuum leak and my mpg went from 21 to 26. Also to let you know my car in sig. got 19mpg 100% city driving last week.
Old 05-19-2012, 01:48 PM
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if you're running rich, your o2's may be stuck on the lean side. could be a dirty mass airflow meter, or a bad air charge temp sensor....which i think is part of the maf? poss. bad coolant temp sensor, if there's a map sensor in there, it could be bad too.........plugged air filter?
Old 05-19-2012, 02:17 PM
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If the plugs haven't been changed in a long time, change them. I'd also pick up some MAFS cleaner and clean it, and have it checked for any codes.
Old 05-19-2012, 02:43 PM
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Originally Posted by BigBirdLS1
OP there is definitely something wrong with your car. Do all the simple stuff first plugs,wires,clean maf, and your 02 sensors. Also you might have a vacuum leak somewhere. My DD truck was having a mpg issue and I did all the above mentioned things. It didn't help then I looked and found a vacuum line that was cracked. I fixed the vacuum leak and my mpg went from 21 to 26. Also to let you know my car in sig. got 19mpg 100% city driving last week.
WHere was the vacuum leak??
Old 05-19-2012, 02:44 PM
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Thanks guys I am going to check all this stuff out!
Old 05-19-2012, 02:47 PM
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Just to add guys... I have been noticing lately that when I run my air conditioner I get a fume like smell coming through the vents. Kinda gives me a headache. Any ideas what could be causing this?
Old 05-19-2012, 02:56 PM
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Originally Posted by 98TransAmAngryBird
WHere was the vacuum leak??
The vacuum leak was on my DD truck not the F-body. I was just using it as an illustration that a vacuum leak could be the issue is all.
Old 05-19-2012, 03:09 PM
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Same as above, plugs if they haven't been done in a while or if you aren't sure of the age/gap. Clean maf anyone because a can of cleaner is $5. Do fuel filter regardless since they are $10-$15. If u know someone with a scanner, have them check how the 02s are switching and replace as needed

Seafoam is awesome and only $15ish iirc. Do the intake as well as adding it to the fuel tank
Old 05-19-2012, 07:59 PM
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you can hook up a scanner and check the O2 sensor.
Old 05-20-2012, 10:28 PM
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did plugs and wires MSD/Ngktr55.. damn #8 is a pain in the ***.. Then I took the MAF off and found a piece of foil/trash in there. Whoever had the car before me wrapped the MAF with a foil insulator and then connected it to the lid.. well over time I guess it came lose and went into the MAF, so I removed it and then cleaned the MAF with some autozone cleaner. Must of just happened recently b/c i just checked it like a month ago when I was seafoaming/ cleaning the TB. Hope that was my problem... well see... thanks guys
Old 09-03-2012, 06:28 PM
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How is it doing now?
Old 09-03-2012, 08:11 PM
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Are you a4 or m6? My 01 gets mid-high 14s all city. Run 91 and no codes. Smells a little rich but could be cuz I have no cats. I make it to 180 every time "check gages" pops up then it's 12gal from empty to full.
Old 09-04-2012, 12:27 PM
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Originally Posted by 98TransAmAngryBird
Just to add guys... I have been noticing lately that when I run my air conditioner I get a fume like smell coming through the vents. Kinda gives me a headache. Any ideas what could be causing this?

Probably since the A/C isnt used that often could be building up mold in the evap core. They make a cleaning kit for HVAC systems but I've never used one. Also keep in mind A/C will reduce your MPGs by a little mostly city MPGS, its more efficient to use A/C at highway speeds and have the windows up.
Old 09-06-2012, 01:13 PM
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I get 17 drivin city and a few miles hwy with long tubes no cats 3.42 gears lid and 18's and that's givin it hell a few times and I have stock tune burning rich
Old 09-06-2012, 04:49 PM
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If the car drives fine and feels fast, but is running rich, it might not be going into closed loop. Your 02 sensors might not be working correctly.


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