Fuel Mileage on 04 Ranger 4.0L?

[92CivicFoDo]

Hi. My name is Bryan and i own an 04 Ranger XLT 5AT with 50K mi on it now. Bought it brand new back in Dec 03'. I used to be on this site about 4 years ago when i owned an integra but that has long came and gone, and ive also lost the password for the account, so im no n00b lol. Anyways, I guess Ill move on....

I guess im just curious what kinda mileage to the tank everyone is gettin with the newer 4.0L. Im only getting around 180-200 to the tank and i remember when it was newer getting "around" 300 or so. I have recently just changed the spark plugs and fuel filter and have a K&N as my air filter. i also have a flare in the 2-3 shift which i have heard is a common problem with these transmissions, but im not real fond of spending $105 to have ford diagnose it to see if its a solenoid or just a sensor. Any ideas on anything else i can change or what i should look for? Im lost right now and would give my right arm to at least get back up near 250+ miles to the tank.

TIA,
Bryan

[92CivicFoDo]

anyone????

[e_powers]

how big is your tank? the 4.0 are not known for fuel mileage. at least the sohc version. other things need to be considered also like driving habits. driving routes. and that little flare will eat some fuel mileage but not that much.

tire pressure will kill fuel mileage that bad also. as will dirty injectors.

[92CivicFoDo]

i think its a 16 gallon tank. Im tryin acetone right now and it seems to be workin rather well right now, but ill update as i track it.

[92CivicFoDo]

ok so as i mentioned above ive been using acetone, filled up my tires and have been driving a little more cautiously. i used to get around 100mi from F to 1/2 and now im at 140. Still not quite through the tank but i can already tell there's an improvement.

[bikerboy]

you cant depend on your gauge. i also have a 16 gallon tank and when it showed 1/2 i could only get in 6 gallons. the gauge is usually only right at 2 spots, full and empty.

[92CivicFoDo]

ok cool. right now at 265mi and in between 1/4 and E. its a definate improvement over what i was getting.

[DonSor]

I have a 99 Ranger 4.0L extra cab plus a shell. I believe mine holds 19 gallons. I get about 19-20 MPG. By the way, you mentioned K&N air filter. You know they need to be cleaned with the K&N filter clener kit.

Don

[92CivicFoDo]

oh yea, already cleaned it. ended up with 17 MPG WITH the acetone. before i was only getting around 12, even with the new plugs, and fuel filter. somethin else must be wrong but im just happy to be back around where it used to be.

[Gregg Wegner]

you adding acetone to the fuel??

[92CivicFoDo]

yes....why?

[Gregg Wegner]

just curious anytime a person can get more mileage it always helps.is this the same acetone like in the paint isle at home depot ?

[92CivicFoDo]

yea i bought mine from ace hardware. im sure you can get it anywhere. I was getting horrible gas mileage (around 12) and decided to try it and it bumped it all the way up to 17. Its starting to find its way back down a little bit since ive had to use 4x4 high this whole tank. damn Colorado weather lol.

[DonSor]

Did you mean cleaning your K&N filter with acetone? Certainly you didn't mean adding acetone to your gas tank? In either case, I would use the appropriate cleaner for the filter. The kit is consists of a spray cleaner and an oil spray. The acetone could've cleaned parts of your fuel system such as injectors and such. However, it also can do some damage. I would use the standard readily available fuel system additive such as Techtron II which is designed to clean fuel injectors and valve carbonization. But then again, you may have found something new that works.

Don

[92CivicFoDo]

no i definitley added it to the fuel tank and plan on doing it for quite a while. theres definitley risks of plastic parts but they take forever to deteriorate and i wont have the truck for much longer anyways.