Horrible fuel mileage ....

[jnielsen]

so it's been cold here in maine and im running my 93 dodge w250 ctd 5 speed getrag 4.10 gears POD injectors with 37inch tires and as of last night put a intake on it. Ive only gotten the truck on the road for a couple of weeks now and it seems to only be getting 10 mpg and the speed-o is on within reason, I dont know if I need to try to tune the AFC or what I know winter fuel and idleing will bring MPGs down but damn 10 mpg? maybe someone can help

Jnielsen

[Diesel Dawg]

You have several things holding you back 1winter fuel 2 4.10gears 3 pods are not the greatest,but should be ok. 4 37inch tires which help with 4.10s but are alot of rolling resistance. With all that said 10 mpg is pretty low. Try driving with the rpm no higher than 1,800 and drive like thiers eggs under the throttle. See what you get then.

[RCCUMMINS89]

You match my gearing/tranny/and tire size. I get anywhere from 16-22.

It probably needs tuning, and my guess is you are new to diesels? Diesels take a little bit of "driving" to get optimum fuel economy. If one drives them like a gasser, fuel economy will be horrible.

[bmoeller]

How much idle time? That will really hurt the avg. If you aren't plugging it in, best to do that. Help the engine warm up faster, too.

[jnielsen]

yes im new to diesel ha, I mean im def not ringing the balls off it I dont hammer out of the hole and i'm really taking it pretty easy and yes I do plug it in but it's been -15f the last couple mornings and my house is in a field with the wind it's like -25 to -30 so there is idle time. I fueled it up today 10.618 mpg but it's probably closer to 11 because my fuel filter came loose and I lost some 4.15 a gallon diesel before I caught it. good thing I was where I was going.

As for tuning it, normal stuff like checking the valve clearance? or what I mean i'm pretty handy and I not scared of digging into it. I would just prefer not to. I'm thinking I need to find some better fuel efficient injectors the guy I bought the truck off from said that that are 100 hp POD injectors, I can't say yes or no because I cant tell. I do know you put your foot into the skinny pedal she leaves a little cloud and scoots. I don't Know ????

[dazedandconfused]

Here is a good explanation of tuning the pump. Who knows what the previous owners have tinkered with. If they set it to blow smoke like crazy that would explain some of it.
http://dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/more_power/Power_ve.htm