2004.5 Mileage Loss Early-On

[GEM]

My all stock 04. 5 600/325,QC,4x4,48RE,SWB,373RE,tonneau, has 2200 miles. From 2miles to 1200 miles I was registering 17MPG highway EMPTY. From 1200 miles to now I am registering around 10mpg EMPTYand my odometer at fillup reflects the drop in MPG's.

Engine seems to run the same as before. No noises, warning lights etc. I have only towed my 28ft. wildwood TT once 100 miles round trip. Am towing 1200 miles round trip to D. C this week loaded w/ 6 passengers/firewood/camp gear/bicycles.

HAS ANYONE ELSE NOTICED AN EARLY DROP IN MILEAGE SIMILAR TO THIS; IF SO, ANY CLUE WHAT CAUSES IT??(BUILD DATE IS 06/2004)

Thanks,



GEM

 

[RankRam]

I would change the fuel filter and see if the mpg's go up, also keep an eye on the engine oil level. This will help diagnose if a fuel injector is acting up.



Welcome to the TDR!

 

[RAMN4EVR]

I've just changed to DD3's on my 01 3500 6 speed. I also changed fuel filter at the same time. I have 54k on my truck. I was getting 15. 4 mpg. after one week driving over 600 miles I'm up to 19. 4 these new injectors should pay for themselves. Oo. by the way I pick up the injectors barely used and a great price. Gary

 

[GEM]

Gary, Thanks for the tips. I will pick up a fuel filter then watch it close. GEM (Gary Too)

 

[Camp]

I made my first trip pulling with my 600 with about 550 miles on the clock. I left Denver and ran west to southern Cal. My first tank going across the mountains pulling 8000 lbs of rock buggy I got 10. 5mpg. My second tank across Utah, I got 9. 5mpg. My third tank running south to Vegas, I got 8. 5mpg. All these tanks were at the same speed with the same load but, as I got further west, the road has less climbs so, I was stumped. I have had my rig in for testing multiple times with nothing found but, the mileage did finally come back up. I can get about 11. 5 pulling that same load and run about 16 mpg empty, both at 75mph.



My point is, yes, I did see a drop in milage early on but, it came back up a little. Not as much as I wanted but, I only have 9800 miles on the clock so, maybe not fully broken in yet. I feel injectors are in my future