Fuel Efficiency

[dnkygirl]

Hi all I'm a newbie to this forum and to the whole after market upgrade scene. I want to know what things can I do to improve fuel efficiency on my 98 Neon? I have about 82000 miles on her and I've noticed a slight depreciation in fuel efficiency since I first bought her. I was getting about 300 miles on a full tank, now it's about 208 miles, which drives me nuts cause it seems like I'm always filling up the tank. I do alot of city driving so I know alot has to do with that... any thoughts?



:sun: Dnkygirl

[KatWoman]

After lots of miles (my 97 has 137,000 of them) the fuel injectors can get clogged. The "fuel addatives" you buy in the shops are just a temporary fix. You might need to take your car in for a fuel injector service. Prices vary depending on your area but I spent about $100 getting mine done....did wonders afterward.

[Santonucci]

Hmm...sounds like you've got that "lead foot" syndrome commonly associated with Neon owners! :sun:
You know, the one where you've found out how much fun it is to drive them, so you wind up putting your foot in it more then you think you do?

But as with any car, fuel efficiancy will decrease over time. Fuel injectors become clogged, pistons begin to deform..etc...

Also, check your air filter and make sure you brakes aren't dragging slightly on the wheels.

On a side note...I get about 210 miles out of my tank city driving too...so it doesn't sound like anything serious.

-Steve

[dnkygirl]

Steve your absolutely correct.... I have lead foot syndrome. 60 feels like 50 so I'm actually going about 70-75. ;o) Hum... I will take a look at my fuel injectors, I'll have to add that to my long list of additions/modifications i have planned. I just changed out the brake pads about a month or so ago and they are fine. So 210 is about average, that's reassuring thanks! I will just relax and keep an eye on it.

[KatWoman]

I used to have leadfoot syndrome , but I am easier on the car with the new motor. I still romp it once in awhile but mostly just cruise it now. Even with my new motor I get about 280 miles out of the gas tank before my low fuel light comes on. I also live in Phoenix...very hot summers and dusty half the time (gotta love those summer dust storms) which are very nasty conditions for cars....which is why alot of manufacturers have proving grounds out here....VW/Audi, GM, Chrysler just to name a few.

[Santonucci]

280...you must really take it light on the car.
I live in Anchorage, Alaska myself...so I wind up doing quite a bit of driving in nasty weather too. But I can't help going over 3,000rpm when I'm driving just to feel and hear my car...

210 is normal for just about any Neon...typically because of everybody's heavy foot...but if you take it light, then 280 is not unreasonable.
But com'on..and enthusiast who takes it light on their neon??
I've never heard of such!! :sun:


-Steve

[KatWoman]

Originally posted by Santonucci
But com'on..and enthusiast who takes it light on their neon??
I've never heard of such!! :sun:


-Steve

After having a motor blow on me on the highway out in the middle of nowhere, my driving habits and plans for the car were considerably humbled The supposed cause was that the water pump seized and since the timing belt is run off it, you can guess what happened. I had the belt changed at 65K miles but I have had nasty feelings that I paid for the job to get done....they just didn't do it.

[Santonucci]

You paid to have the waterpump replaced? Or the timing belt replaced? Or both?

I replaced my timing belt and water pump myself...just to avoid such problems.
May I suggest the Deyeme Racing Street Waterpump on your next replacement? It'll free up some HP and be able to tollerate those high rpm days. But...the OEM waterpump seems to do okay for most people too. Just gotta do things yourself is what I've learned.

[dnkygirl]

hi Kat,

You know what.. I had that happen to me as well at 69000miles. I think it has something to do with the quality of the water pump. I was extremely lucky... it took out the timing belt and only a few valves. I had to have it machined because they put it all back together and it wouldn't pressurize. $2000 later I have my perfect Neon again. I am going to have to learn how to change out both on my own. I agree it's best to learn how to take care of the known issues on your own. I've been driving my baby daily for about 7 months now since that incident... which by the way was the only problem I've ever had with my Neon. So far she seems to be running smooth no glitches. I will have her checked out in another 6 months to make sure I'm not missing anything.


dnkygirl

[KatWoman]

Originally posted by Santonucci
You paid to have the waterpump replaced? Or the timing belt replaced? Or both?

I replaced my timing belt and water pump myself...just to avoid such problems.
May I suggest the Deyeme Racing Street Waterpump on your next replacement? It'll free up some HP and be able to tollerate those high rpm days. But...the OEM waterpump seems to do okay for most people too. Just gotta do things yourself is what I've learned.

I paid for the timing belt to be replaced. My head gasket was being fixed under warranty and I asked them (and paid for the part) to replace the timing belt since the engine was apart already. They tried to talk me out of it but I insisted. I would have loved to for us to do it ourselves, but we didn't have to proper tools or knowledge at the time to mess around with the timing belt.

[Santonucci]

So they failed to replace the pump when they replaced the belt?

Yah, it's kinda a pain in the ass I suppose.... Considering you have to practically disassemble the entire right side of the car's engine...
but on a good note...it's a great learning experience, and gives you plenty of bonding time with your friends.
Ahh yes..nothing like a garage full of the male hormone :sun:

[KatWoman]

Originally posted by Santonucci
but on a good note...it's a great learning experience, and gives you plenty of bonding time with your friends.
Ahh yes..nothing like a garage full of the male hormone :sun:

Hehe true dat! Some of the most fun times I have had are with Alex and friends digging into a car. We just finished a motor swap on his Neon this weekend....this being the 3rd motorswap I have had a hand in. I am also a master crane operator LOL....they always have me lift the motor out with the engine crane while they make sure it doesn't swing around or get caught up on something in the engine bay.

Here's a pic of Marvin when he was getting swapped out.

[Santonucci]

Yup yup, that'll be me in about 2 more months....I'm doing the 2.4l swap to my Neon as well, then probably going to slap a turbo on the baby.