For the past couple months, my car (a 2.8L) has been eating gas like there's no tomorrow and I haven't yet discovered why. Also sometimes i get a code 32, no apparent pattern. Sometimes the light comes on after about an hour of city driving, and sometimes on the highway. However it is only very intermittent.
I just cleaned out the throttle body and checked as much of the egr system/passages as I could without taking off the fuel rail, just to see if anything was clogged, but all looks normal. Any ideas on where else the egr could go bad?? Also could someone tell me where to place the end of my 'listening device' so I can tell if my injectors are working? Any ideas or suggestions greatly appreciated, I am learning as i go!!

 

Is your fuel filter clogged ?

 

Isn't code 32 the oxygen sensor???
EDIT: no wait, 32 is the EGR system. Check w/ the other guys on how to deal with that problem.
BUT...Well I'm sure if the oxygen sensor hasn't been replaced in awhile, or if its not working, then your engine can't tell if it's running lean or rich, which it probably is running rich, and therefore dumping too much fuel in. When I changed my oxygen sensor, my gas mileage got much better. I paid $30 for a Bosch sensor @ Pep Boys. Its under your car, follow the passenger side exhaust manifold toward the bottom, and you'll see this sensor screwed into the pipe, and a wire connected to that sensor. That's the oxy sensor. Use a breaker bar or something on an adjustable wrench to free it, and replace. I think you should clear the computer after you do so, so the codes are erased, and then go take a drive on the highway/freeway (whichever applies) for 1/2 hour and then drive 1/2 hour back (as TomP would say). Hope this helps.

 

I don't know what code it is heh . I do know the oxy sensor can do that ! Id prabably get better mileage if I changed mine !

 

The p/n for the bosch oxy sensor is 12014... and gas mileage? What's that?

 

well with those over sized injectors I now get 300 miles to the tank... just filled last night. Still pushing almost 28-29 range... not bad for one w 113K....

Check timing, check computer codes, if you cannot remember the last time your O2 sensor was replaced.. replace it. Same goes for the Fuel filter.
Also check your air pressure. It does make a difference.

 

Thanks guys..
I thought the computer was supposed to set a code when the O2 sensor goes? Does it only do that sometimes? I do know that that sensor has never been replaced on this car..so I guess it is likely to be dead.
Also someone said I should check air pressure.. where/how do I do that?
I don't think the fuel filter has been changed in a long, long time..guess it's time to crack open my good friend Haynes..

 

when they said to check air presure thier were most likly refering to the air presure in your tires. Low presure in your tires can produce some serious dips in MPG.

The ECM doesn't all ways set a code for the O2 sensor. Mine was bad but I didn't get a code. I replaced it and life was back to normal again. You are getting a code 32 right?


I just re-read your first post. If the light is coming on then going off the EGR may be sticking just enough to set the code and then function like it should. You can check your EGR by getting a finger under it and pressing up on the diaphram (SP?) if it goes all the way and returns when you let it go it is fine. If it feels a little sticky or gets stuck you need to remove it and clean and lube it with WD-40.

Also check your vaccum lines. A bad vaccum leak can cause the EGR to fail sence it opens and closes by vaccum.

I don't think the an EGR malfunction would cause the bad gas millage, but if you take care of it now you wont have to worry about it the next time you go for an emissions test.

 

lol I can make as much smog as I want and no one will say anything..this city is still small enough we don't get tested. Anyways I just got oil and fuel filters and an O2 sensor so tonight we'll see if any of those were the problem.

 

Make sure the exhaust's warm before doing the oxygen sensor; otherwise, it'll be tough to get out. Don't cross-thread the new oxygen sensor when you put it in; make sure you catch the threads in the hole instead of cutting new ones. If your oxy sensor comes out easily when the pipes are cold, then it was loose, and might've been causing an exhaust leak.

 

Must be nice to not have to worry about EPA *****!!!

All in all though if you are having a problem with your EGR it can lead to other side affects like your car dying at every stop light, or not be able to start it with out holding the gas pedal down. So you may want to check just to keep from running into any unexpected suprises.

 

Code 32 is EGR .
A bad EGR really screws up your performance and mileage. When a EGR gets stuck open it robs the vacuum from the engine. You can try taking it off and cleaning it , free it up or just throw on a new one . I think the one for my 2.8 is like $35.

 

Hey I keyed that term EPA ****"S.... LOL

I did my O2 when the system was cold and it came out pretty easy... Barely had to hit the wrench...

 

Lucky basstard!!!! I had to pull mine when the pipes were hot. My hand slip and learned just how hot that pipe gets!!!!!

 

LOL mine was sitting foe 2 days before i got to it...