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1997 Protege repair screwed up my gas usage??
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Warrior
Novice
Mar 2, 2006, 8:13 AM
Post #1 of 4
(1739 views)
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1997 Protege repair screwed up my gas usage??
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Alright, here's the story in all its strange glory.
I took my car in for a repair a couple of weeks ago. My alternator belt broke.
Before I took my car in, my car was very fuel efficient. I would fill the tank up once every couple of weeks. It was great.
The guys at the garage fixed the alternator belt, but noticed a cracked exhaust manifold. I had them repair that as well. 900$ CDN later, and I got my car back.
No more squeaks, screeches or vibrations. Great! Wrong...
My car now sucks gas worse than even the biggest SUV. For some reason now, the car is sucking gas like an alcoholic sucks down a bottle of booze.
At first I thought maybe they did something and I am leaking gas, but I drove around an abandoned parking lot one day with a buddy of mine who is a mechanic to see if there is any leak or trail as I drive. Nothing.
Even sitting there idle sucks up a lot of gas. I looked under the car after using nearly a quarter of a tank sitting there idle for an hour, and nothing under the car. nothing leaked.
I filled my tank up and drove around constantly for about 2 and a half hours and my tank was empty.
My buddy couldn't figure it out.
I called the garage that did the repairs and explained the situation. At first the guy laughed and thought I was just messing around. When I ensured I was serious, he had me bring it in.
I brought my mechanic buddy with me while they looked at it again. Everything seemed fine. They had the car running idle and searched everywhere for leaks. Nothing. All the fuel tubes were dry.
They had no idea what is now causing this. According to them, they didn't do anything that would affect fuel efficiency.
So now I have a 97 Mazda protégé, a car that I used to fill up once every couple of weeks, that now has to be filled up at least 3 times a week and no one knows why.
Does anyone here have any idea what the hell is going on?
My uncles 2001 Blazer isn't even that bad on gas.
I am seriously considering just selling this thing off and cutting my losses...
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carjunky
Enthusiast
Mar 2, 2006, 11:05 AM
Post #2 of 4
(1734 views)
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Re: 1997 Protege repair screwed up my gas usage??
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I have a few questions...
Have you changed the brand of gas recently? (sometimes you get better mileage with different companies)
Have you checked the tires... under or over inflated tires will eat up gas mileage.
Are you driving around with extra weight? leaving anything extra in the trunk or back seat... (40lbs extra and your car will notice a difference)
I don't think any of these suggestions would eat your gas that much, but you never know...
I would also look around the engine to see if there is a wet spot, it may just be a fuel line was damaged but it leaks onto a hot or warm engine component and causes it to evaporate....
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Mar 2, 2006, 2:06 PM
Post #3 of 4
(1729 views)
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Re: 1997 Protege repair screwed up my gas usage??
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The work mentioned should NOT cause more fuel usage?? A leak should be noticed by smell alone.
If the new manifold is defective and has way too much restriction a vacuum test would show it but you would also be complaining about loss of power if that was it.
One more: If it suddenly got real cold (weather) where you are you have to forgive it as cars will use more gas when it gets real cold.
All the things carjunky mentioned will help but if you have some extreme situation you have to wonder??
I suggest you keep a running log on fuel mileage. I drive Lincolns and a full size truck with snow plow. The Lincolns can get 25 mpg highway and my silly 2 mile trips for groceries they plummit to lousy and that's normal. The plow truck can get as little a 5 mpg while plowing but if you'd rather shovel it's a real bargain!!
Let us know how you make out with this. If it's real all readers could benefit from the solution found if it is. T
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Guest
Anonymous Poster
Oct 31, 2007, 9:09 AM
Post #4 of 4
(1265 views)
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Re: 1997 Protege repair screwed up my gas usage??
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the O2 sensor is likely gone bad.
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