i need some help here, i work at a shop and ihave a 2000 ford explorer 4.0L OHV (push rod) and im gettingbad gas milage (13 - 14mpg). i just bought the truck 2 weeks ago and it has 84,000 miles on it. i have put synthetic oil in it, changed the fluids in the radiator, transmission, transfer case, front and rear differentials, put in a new fuel filter, air filter, took off the throttle body and cleaned it by hand to get all the carbon off and have done a couple of fuel system cleaners (not the ones you put in your gas tank but the one that put right into the injectors through the pcv hose) i have not had any luck and want to know if anybody out there is getting this bad of gas milage or if anyone has any suggestions of what i can do now to improve the milage? im thinking of doing the plugs and wires next. thanks

 

If you just bought it, was it smogged? If it were low onthe tail pipe readings/emission standards, or if any were taken, it may be an performance indicator..

 

id say do them plugs and wires for sure beside when you go to change the plugs look and see what story they tell ya. if their black you probably do have a sensor or somthing that could be replaced maybe.. if the plugs look to have normal wear and not blackend you maybe are already getting as good a gas mileage as you should for that explorer. i just got a 91 ive been working back up and running havent got to get out there and drive it around and break it in but i can let you know the kind of gas mileage i get from mine when i do. i have new rings and bearing and all that so i will tell you if a rebuilt explorer engine gets any better gas mileage...

 

me again i just read anotherforum on here about a 2004 with like 40,000 miles on it only getting about 15 mpg too. It is starting to look like these things just dont get very good gas mileage unless you drive em really easy or not at all. which is a disappointment to me also ,,,if you got a 2000 with 80,000 and that other one was a 2004 with 40,000 i am starting to think that my 91 with 300,000 miles on it, even being rebuilt, is going to have crappy gas mileage

 

I've got a 2005 4.0L V6, If I drive my car conservatively I get about 14-15 city, and 18 on the highway. 2nd gen. models may just get slightly worse mileage.

 

thanks for the input, im gonna do the plugs and wires this weekend and ill get back to you if i get any better milage but i think thats all im gonna get which sucks cuz my dads 2001 dodge durango with the 4.7L gets better gas milage than me

 

also since its april, could the oil companies still have their winter blend out there (which i heard gave you less gas milage) or are they using the summer blend?

 

I have no clue about gas blends or anything. but i know about the only time i will be driving my explorer is when im towing my boat or in bad snow so if it isnt good on gas so be it. i got a 01 mustang and a 95 bonnieville that get decent gas mileage to use for everyday use cars. I hope mine will get alright gas mileage but being older and a 4x4 i aint going to get my hopes up. I just think explorers arent really good for daily drivers as far as gas goes anyhow, other then that they seem to last...

 

well most of that stuff worked cuz last time i filled up i was making 17 mpg! now im gonna try non-reformulated gas and see if that makes it better.

 

Inherent design of the engine......maybe a v8 that works less would be better.And the coefficiant of drag adding to the gas mileage prob.