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Abysmal MPG

Discussion in '3rd Gen 4Runners (1996-2002)' started by 95 taco, Oct 21, 2017.

  1. Oct 21, 2017 at 1:08 PM
    #1
    95 taco

    95 taco [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2017
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    13
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jake
    Vehicle:
    1999 Limited 4x4 supercharged T4R, 2003 double cab tacoma TRD
    T4R- Stock Tacoma- OME 883 coils and shocks, OMD leaf springs bilstein 5125's, relentless DIY front bumper, smittybilt 9,500 winch.
    I bought a '99 4runner, Limited, 4x4, supercharged (1st gen supercharger) with 205K on it a few months ago and I've been working on it to get it in running shape (Previous owner parked it because the water pump was leaking).

    So far I've done the timing belt/water pump.
    Replaced Radiator(manual trans model)/condenser and installed an external trans cooler
    Replaced plugs/wires (Original plugs were still in it)
    Oil Change

    I'm getting a P0325 and P0330 code which would be knock sensors so I'm planning on doing those pretty soon but I just drove from Central Va to the coast of Ms and for the first leg of the trip I averaged ~17 MPG and then mileage started dropping and my last tank I averaged 8.2, no loss of power, I was continuing to cruise at 80-85, occasional shuddering from ~2.5-3.5K RPM.

    Everything looks good on the scanguage except LOD, cruising it's showing ~50-60% load and with any hill it automatically pegs out to 99% load.
    How does the scanguage pull the data to determine Load?

    Also I understand there's a TSB for the fuel sender, when I first started out I would drive until the low fuel light came on and then put ~14.5 gallons in it but after the 3rd fill up I noticed that the fuel gauge was acting funny and it was starving for fuel with the needle indicating over 1/4 of the tank was left, I would assume a new sender would fix this issue?
     
  2. Oct 21, 2017 at 1:30 PM
    #2
    4runner52

    4runner52 New Member

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    First Name:
    Trevor
    West Slope, CO
    Vehicle:
    1999 4runner
    Toytec Ultimate Lift Spidertrax 285 Duratracs Custom Armor 22" lightbar Cobra 19 CB Other Shenanigans
    Based on the research I've done regarding fuel sending units and the TSB for 1999 and 2000 runners, I don't believe it is worth the hassle to replace the necessary components to fix the fuel gauge. My gauge acts funny most of the time and I just keep track of how many miles I've driven. The fuel gauge issue should not affect MPG. I'm seeing normal MPG's with fuel gauge issues. As far as the sudden drop in MPG, it might be possible that it is knock sensor related but I am not certain. Maybe someone else can chime in and confirm
     
    95 taco[OP] likes this.
  3. Oct 21, 2017 at 4:11 PM
    #3
    95 taco

    95 taco [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2017
    Member:
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    Messages:
    13
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jake
    Vehicle:
    1999 Limited 4x4 supercharged T4R, 2003 double cab tacoma TRD
    T4R- Stock Tacoma- OME 883 coils and shocks, OMD leaf springs bilstein 5125's, relentless DIY front bumper, smittybilt 9,500 winch.
    I'll have to check out the TSB and all related parts, I just did a cursory google the other day because something didn't seem right.

    Where the line from the tank goes into the filter was damp when I pulled into the shop today so I'm thinking that maybe it was leaking there, I tried to replace the fuel filter but the front line is rusted to the filter so I've got to order a replacement line as well as the harness for the knock sensors tomorrow gonna try replacing the harness before the sensors.
     
  4. Nov 12, 2017 at 7:36 PM
    #4
    Toyotayoda

    Toyotayoda New Member

    Joined:
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    82
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    Atlanta area
    Vehicle:
    1997 SR5 4x4, 302k and counting
    Tacoma whip, 99 console box, tru trac., steering wheel, PWMS and HVAC control out of a 99.
    Knock sensors are the reason for the doo doo MPG, ECU goes to fail safe which is basically give it all the fuel it can give, and keep timing at set value in order to combat detonation. Replace your knock sensors and sub harness and all will be right with the world again.
     
  5. Nov 13, 2017 at 8:06 AM
    #5
    95 taco

    95 taco [OP] New Member

    Joined:
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    Member:
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    Messages:
    13
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jake
    Vehicle:
    1999 Limited 4x4 supercharged T4R, 2003 double cab tacoma TRD
    T4R- Stock Tacoma- OME 883 coils and shocks, OMD leaf springs bilstein 5125's, relentless DIY front bumper, smittybilt 9,500 winch.
    Timing fluctuates according to the scan gauge, do you think replacing the knock sensors is necessary? I got a sub harness, going to install it later this week but because of both codes being thrown I think that the sensors might still be good and the harness is the issue.
     
  6. Nov 14, 2017 at 5:31 PM
    #6
    Toyotayoda

    Toyotayoda New Member

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    Atlanta area
    Vehicle:
    1997 SR5 4x4, 302k and counting
    Tacoma whip, 99 console box, tru trac., steering wheel, PWMS and HVAC control out of a 99.
    yes absolutely, it's not worth having to go though all that twice. Even though the sensors are pricey, your talking about almost 20 year old electronics that have signaled an almost an infinite amount of detonation to the ECU, time for fresh parts.
     
    95 taco[OP] likes this.
  7. Nov 15, 2017 at 10:05 PM
    #7
    Husky Driver

    Husky Driver Kyna's chauffeur

    Joined:
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    Kipp
    40°35'09.0"N 105°04'38.3"W
    Vehicle:
    2k T4R3 SR5 Highlander Sport TRD
    Toytec Ultimate 3" lift susp w/ OME 891 rear coils, Bilstein 5100 shocks front & 5125 rear, ARB 'Roo Bar, Warn VR10k, 0.7, 2 & 11-meter 2 way radios, Nitrogen inflated 33" BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2s, FlexFuel E-85 conversion, AFe lifetime filter, Savage Offroad rock sliders, Ryno All Terrain 4.5mm skid plates, Line-X coatings on the armor, LifetimeLED & Rigid Industries LED headlights, UltraGauge 1.2, T3q 4.10 eLocker with armor from LROR, AmsOil lubricants used throughout. CBI plate rear bumper with swingaway, SPC Light Racing UCAs, ARB SS170HF Safari snorkel w/ Afrikaans centrifugal pre-cleaner, Tacoma antenna mod, TRD Supercharger w/ URD 7th inj. & URD pulleys, Anti-Dark engine bay lighting system. Having gone 250k, Aug 2016 was the time to replace the original clutch & get the driver's seat rebuilt/stuffed. Front & back Weathertech liners. Tundra front disc brake swap. Full length Rocky Mountain Rack with 40" lightbar & alternating strobe rear dust lights. I used a warm weekend in March 2022 to finally install my brand new from old stock 2000 4Runner driver's seat. $800 directly from the factory in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.
    I have the type 4 (2nd gen) supercharger on my rig. Find out if you have the larger capacity injectors. As far as I know you can't put a URD 7th injector on the type 1 (1st gen) s/c, so the larger injectors is the only solution to the fuel problem(s). Also don't forget to ALWAYS use Premium fuel. 93+ octane at sea level, 91+ octane above 4000+ft. I would agree that while pricey anti-knock sensors would be advisable, especially if you aren't always using Premium.

    Another possibility for the crap MPG is going 80-85mph. Any time I go faster than 65mph I can watch my fuel needle drop, especially over 70mph. I've just gotten used to the saying out west here of 5VZ-FE-MPG-LOL. It seems counter intuitive to me but I get some of the best mileage while driving in the mountains 7000ft-12800ft, 25mpg is fairly common. Down here on the immediate east side of the Rockies at ~5000ft, I get about 13 city/16 hwy.

    As for the sending unit's fuel level gauge problems, it may also be more common with s/c installs. I didn't have any problems at all with it until after my s/c install. My main problem these days is that every once in a while it'll read E on startup & slowly climb up to what it should read in about 10-15 mins. I kinda just wrote it off as possibly being related to having to switch to a high pressure (90psi) fuel pump for the s/c. I'll have to check the TSBs, every time I check using my VIN it always comes up blank.
     
    95 taco[OP] likes this.
  8. Nov 15, 2017 at 10:50 PM
    #8
    larramo

    larramo 3ed gen faithfully

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    larry
    clearlake ca
    Vehicle:
    4 runner
    3" lift but mostly all stock not a scratch on it it is pristine condition amazing for being 19 years old.
    it will definitely use more gas with the supercharger you have to pay for the extra 70 horse power. it's all good don't sweat the small stuff lol larry b
     
    95 taco[OP] likes this.
  9. Nov 15, 2017 at 10:58 PM
    #9
    larramo

    larramo 3ed gen faithfully

    Joined:
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    larry
    clearlake ca
    Vehicle:
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    3" lift but mostly all stock not a scratch on it it is pristine condition amazing for being 19 years old.
    also when you put in the new timing belt you turn the engine in the reverse direction 360 turn to seat the belt to line up correctly right because if you didn't that would explain the timing codes.
     
    Husky Driver and 95 taco[OP] like this.
  10. Nov 16, 2017 at 10:09 AM
    #10
    95 taco

    95 taco [OP] New Member

    Joined:
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    Member:
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    Messages:
    13
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jake
    Vehicle:
    1999 Limited 4x4 supercharged T4R, 2003 double cab tacoma TRD
    T4R- Stock Tacoma- OME 883 coils and shocks, OMD leaf springs bilstein 5125's, relentless DIY front bumper, smittybilt 9,500 winch.
    I went ahead and ordered both knock sensors, came out to $105 per sensor but it will give some peace of mind.

    How do i check the injectors? I'm assuming I will see a difference in color (I.E. not brown?) on the injectors when I have it torn down to replace the knock sensors?
    From the reading I have done on URD's website it appears as though I can run the 7th injector since it's a non-EGR motor, I'm pursuing running water/meth though instead of the 7th injector.

    I've always run premium through it in the 8-9 tanks I've run through it, it did have one tank or regular out through it because my dad borrowed it and didn't listen when i told him it requires premium.

    My average speed on my road trip stayed pretty close to the same between tanks and it dropped from 17 at the beginning of the trip to about 8, the only difference was altitude, I went from ~700ft to sea level, after talking with Gadget at URD I've replaced the fuel filter (OEM, previous owner apparently didn't know/care about maintenance) got a walbro 190 from URD (To be installed sometime in the next week when i have time, currently not driving the 4runner) wiring harness for knock sensors, knock sensors, and am going to do an oil change on the SC when I pull it (gonna try to rebuild it in the next 5K miles, no clue on what maintenance was done on the SC), we believe it's a fuel issue as the plugs/wires are new as is the air filter.
    My N/A tacoma (2003 4 door 4x4) gets 13.5-14 on average because I drive like an A-hole and have load range E tires on it, I would expect similar from a stock SC'd 4runner, more if I baby it like I have several times and seen very little difference in economy (recently) when I first got it I could baby it and get ~19 according to the scan gauge.

    Maybe in the future I'll get another sending unit, i'd rather spend the money I have on the more serious mechanical stuff as much as it bothers me that the fuel gauge isn't reliable.

    It shouldn't be getting single digits, especially when 2 months ago I was getting 15-17 pretty regularly.

    Rotated it a complete rotation clockwise, check alignment, and then did another complete rotation, checked alignment again, and then buttoned it up, did the same procedure on my tacoma and it never had any codes for timing.
     
  11. Nov 21, 2017 at 6:41 PM
    #11
    95 taco

    95 taco [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2017
    Member:
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    Messages:
    13
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jake
    Vehicle:
    1999 Limited 4x4 supercharged T4R, 2003 double cab tacoma TRD
    T4R- Stock Tacoma- OME 883 coils and shocks, OMD leaf springs bilstein 5125's, relentless DIY front bumper, smittybilt 9,500 winch.
    Pulled the S/C today, hopefully I'll get it put back together tomorrow evening.
     

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