big mpg drop

[illflem]

I'm with Tim,my 3500s return hose started leaking only while running,I was on E from a full tank in 200 miles,middle of nowhere,had to buy fuel from a farm house's diesel tank. You will find a drip when you first shut down though. You can try adjusting the valves.
You didn't say whether you also had a power loss,which will happen with a faulty waste gate.
The winter fuel will usually only drop your mileage about 2 mpg,but it all depends where you buy it. Winter fuel is climatized for the area where it is sold,farther north or higher elevation fuel can contain more #1 diesel which can bring your mpgs down more. You don't have a lot of miles on the truck so I am assuming you don't fill up much,try a differeent brand next time and see if it helps. You already checked what could be the most likely problems,there aren't many more unless you also have power loss.

------------------
95' 25004X4,AT,Driftwood,Banks Stinger,Warn fender flairs and running boards(work truck)
95 3500,5 speed 3:54,BD E-brake,Driftwood,Banks&Psycotty,34,000 GCVW apple and tractor hauler(works harder truck)

 

[BFaoro]

HELP ! I normally average 20-23 mpg without a trailer. Towing with a gooseneck stock trailer I usually get 17-20 depending on what I am hauling. I just dropped down to 13mpg while towing the trailer with only about 2,900lbs . The cat got lost, the engine is all stock, I have no fuel leaks(I looked) The overflow valve spring was . 445 long so I stretched it hoping it would help. New air filter, changed the fuel filter about 8,000 miles ago. Checked all the hoses, all are tight. The truck is a 96 cc 5 speed with the 3. 54 rear end dana 80. It has a total of 31,000 miles total on it! #ad
#ad
Could the winter diesel fuel help drop this or the waste gate actuator? If it is the wastegate how would you check it ?? I do need some new ideas ! #ad


------------------
96 2500 4X4, SC,SLT, 12 valve,lost kitty 5SP 3. 54. line-x liner All stock (for now)

 

[Timinator]

I know you said you did not have any fuel leaks, but I have to ask. When my truck's fuel return line started to leak, it would not leave a noticeable trail of fuel unless the engine was left running while the truck was parked for a couple minutes. My big clue was my instant unexplainable drop in mpgs.

------------------
'95 2500 SLT ClubCab, automatic, 3. 54 LSD

 

[BFaoro]

Thanks, I will try looking at the fuel lines while it is running. There was a loss in power not a dramatic decrease but some. . Thanks for the help #ad
I will also recheck the valves.

------------------
96 2500 4X4, SC,SLT, 12 valve,lost kitty 5SP 3. 54. line-x liner All stock

 

[fortunate1]

ROCKYMNT, You might also want to check your fuel filter and the screen filter in the fuel heater. You can easily clean the screen. If there's a lot of junk in there, you probably should go ahead and change the fuel filter too. Sounds to me like some crud and/or water in the fuel.

------------------
95 2500 SLT, clubcab, 2wd, longbed, a/t, 3. 54, 144K miles, "all the usual refinements"

 

[Missouri Mule]

ROCKYMNT,
Look at back of head where the return fuel line is bent to run parrel along head if it looks wet(the head) it is leaking. Also when it starts to get bad it will leak on starter. Never could catch mine red handed leaking and hose looked good from bottom and side. But when I took it off I could see all the cracks on the engine and trans side of hose. My truck has 112,000 on it but I have heard of the fuel hose leaking sooner.


[This message has been edited by Missouri Mule (edited 02-17-2001). ]