Fuel problems on 2002 Ford Escort SE. Please help!!

[linuxguy0481]

Hello there. I just want to say I am glad I found these forums and hopefully someone out there can help me with this issue before going to a car mechanic and spending lots of money trying to find what's wrong.

I own a 2002 Ford Escort SE with a 2.0 liter engine. My problem is when I leave my car sitting in the driveway for a while. I first get in my car look at the fuel gauge. For example when I came home last night and parked my car it had half of tank of gas according to the fuel gauge. Now when I left this morning the fuel gauge when down to a quarter of a tank right when I started the car and noticed it went down a little bit more when I drove 3 or miles already. I am not sure what is wrong with the vehicle the only thing I can think of the oxygen sensor is not functioning properly. I am not a car mechanic but have grown up watching relatives fixing cars. I hope this is not expensive to fix.

The Ford Escort replaced my 1997 Toyota Corolla. The Corolla never had this problem. It moved the fuel gauge when I started the vehicle but not as drastic as this vehicle. Someone ran a red light and hit me and my Corolla got totaled. So I did not want a car loan and purchased this vehicle thru a private owner. Who told me he did not take care of it because it was passed on to him by his sister.

I have done 12 fixes to this vehicle when I bought it 6 months ago.

1. An engine system cleaner before putting full synthetic oil in it.
2. A "fuel induction" service from Big O Tires.
3. I bought and put in a Trueflow air filter
4. Big O Tires also put in Bosch platinum spark plugs.
5. Power steering flush
6. Brake flush
7. Also when I got the spark plugs put in. I also had Big O Tires do a tune-up.
8. A new battery.
9. 2 new tires and 4-wheel alignment and of course balancing.
10. A resistor for the heating system. No hot air was coming in thru the vents.
11. Coolant system flush. My service engine soon light came on. So I took it to Firestone service center. They also put in a new thermostat for the coolant system.
12. New spark plug wires.

Whew! That's it. So a lot of money has gone into this car. I am not sure why it eats up my gasoline when I start up the car though. By the way I have 134,000 miles on the vehicle right now. I hope someone can help me with this problem.

Linuxguy0481

[Davescort97]

I would put 4 ounces fo Marvel Mystery Oil in the fuel tank then fill it up. The float sending unit could be hanging up. The oil in the gas will free up a sticky sending unit.

[mightymoose_22]

Ya... sounds like the float is malfunctioning. I doubt you are losing fuel as quickly as you think. If you make a habit of calculating your mileage when you fill up you could know for sure if you are consuming more fuel.

[linuxguy0481]

Thanks for the help. I will check out Marvel Mystery oil. I will purchase that right away. In response to the second statement I will need to track my mileage more carefully. But I also have gone into my car looked at the fuel gauge before I start my car and it goes down when I start it. I know gas prices will go up again and this time I will be more prepared. I just really hope it is the gas floater.

[Davescort97]

I think when it goes down when you start it there is a reason for that. With the key off the electrical sending unit in the tank doesn't work. When you start it that is when you get an accurate reading of fuel level. My fuel gauge does the same thing and I don't think anything about it. I think you are okay.

[linuxguy0481]

Some cars show the fuel gauge at empty but when you start it it goes back to show when you last drove it. Other cars show a bit off when you last drove it and goes back to its place when you drive it for a while. I hope that makes sense.

But not my car I start up the car and the gas goes immediately down. Sometimes not a lot and sometimes a lot. But indeed goes down. Even hoping sometimes that if I drive it for a while it will indeed go back up on the fuel gauge. But unfortunately it does not.

The Marvel Mystery oil website seems to be down. Do most automotive stores carry this product? I have never heard of it.

[linuxguy0481]

Never mind about the Marvel Mystery oil. The website is back up and now heading to AutoZone. I hope this fixes my gasoline problem.

My father thinks its a fuel injection problem. Not sure though.