Author Topic: A little bitty truck problem (Read 3988 times)

DanG · « **on:** December 23, 2009, 02:08:47 pm »

We really like our new-to-us 2001 Dodge 1500, but it has one little problem. It is suffering from a hyperactive fuel pump! First tankful yeilded only 12.5 mpg!!

I checked the tires and firmed them up some, so that might get me to 13, and I'm gonna pick up a new air filter today, for whatever that's worth. What I'm thinkin' though is there might be some extra stuff on there that could be removed. Ya see, this is a California truck, so it has some extra plumbing. Anybody familiar with this stuff? BTW, it has the 360 gas burner in it.

WH_Conley · « **Reply #1 on:** December 23, 2009, 02:41:03 pm »

Not too familiar with the newer ones, but the older 360 was harder on gas than the 318, pretty much same block with different heads. My BIL had a truck about the model of yours model with 318 and got 15-16 mpg.

Magicman · « **Reply #2 on:** December 23, 2009, 03:25:01 pm »

Quote from: DanG on December 23, 2009, 02:08:47 pm

so that might get me to 13

Well DanG......that's 13 goin' and 13 comin'.....= 26......

Reddog · « **Reply #3 on:** December 23, 2009, 03:46:48 pm »

I have a 2002 ram1500 4x4 with the 360 and auto overdrive tranny, and 10-14 hwy mpg is a good day with it. Push it hard and single digits aren't out of the question.
2001 would have the same emission system for all 50 states.

Jeff · « **Reply #4 on:** December 23, 2009, 03:50:04 pm »

I guess I have nothing constructive to say, so I probably should just say nothing, but for what its worth, I have two different nephews and a couple other friends that bought dodge trucks and all complain about the horrible fuel millage. I think its the nature of the beast. We see a lot of used ones up here in the automobile state setting for sale for extended periods of time even thought they are always priced quite a bit less then their Chevy and Ford counter parts.

ely · « **Reply #5 on:** December 23, 2009, 04:04:15 pm »

i had an 05 dodge 1500 and wished it would get that pulling my boats. all i got towing was 8 or 9 mph. empty it was maybe as good as yours. it had that engine that was the high output somethin somethin. not the hemi. it was smaller.

moosehunter · « **Reply #6 on:** December 23, 2009, 04:12:47 pm »

Dodge trucks (gas engine) get poor mpg. End of story. You can try all sorts of tricks to get more but it won't work! Except the shoe leather trick, you know the one, put your wife in the drivers seat while you push it!!

mh

CLL · « **Reply #7 on:** December 23, 2009, 04:26:05 pm »

had a dodge with 360 and the best it ever done was12-14mph

Ironwood · « **Reply #8 on:** December 23, 2009, 04:29:30 pm »

My Ford 2000 F-150 ext cab 4x4 w/ a 5.4 gets 13-15 when I run it reasonably. I would not expect too much more than your getting.

Ironwood

Warbird · « **Reply #9 on:** December 23, 2009, 04:33:09 pm »

Dan, is it a gas or a diesel? If I were you, I'd call the dealer and a couple of auto shops and see if any of them would be willing to reprogram the rig for you. It might be possible to tone down the horsepower a bit and see a good return on mileage. Good luck!

*edit* Just read moosehunter's post. Maybe it isn't possible.

hokie97 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 23, 2009, 04:41:25 pm »

I have a 95 with a 318 in it, and it always seems to get around 15mpg while NOT towing. I dont think you would see that much better with any other make, but I could be wrong. On the up side it has 189k on it, and just about nothing has needed replacing. Even the original clutch is in it, and it works on the farm now.

LeeB · « **Reply #11 on:** December 23, 2009, 04:49:17 pm »

My 360's have always gotten 18-21MPG highway. They're diesels though.

moonhill · « **Reply #12 on:** December 23, 2009, 04:54:27 pm »

It probably is the coooold weather. I gets cold down there doesn't it? See, when it's cold you tend to let it idle longer.

I had a Ford 350, 6.0liter diesel, when I let it idle it would kick on to a high idle, I swear I could sit in the seat and watch the fuel gauge drop. I am guessing it had something to do with emissions. That and other issues caused me to pass it on. It got around 17 mpg.

Tim

redpowerd · « **Reply #13 on:** December 23, 2009, 05:30:32 pm »

Quote from: LeeB on December 23, 2009, 04:49:17 pm

My 360's have always gotten 18-21MPG highway. They're diesels though.

whats a 360 diesel?

LeeB · « **Reply #14 on:** December 23, 2009, 05:43:02 pm »

Cummins 5.9

Reddog · « **Reply #15 on:** December 23, 2009, 05:46:06 pm »

The 5.9 liter I-6 Cummins is the same cubic inches as the 360 v-8 gas engine.

mburrow · « **Reply #16 on:** December 23, 2009, 08:36:42 pm »

The 5.9 liter Cummins is 359 ci

LeeB · « **Reply #17 on:** December 23, 2009, 08:42:36 pm »

What's an inch amongst friends?

tyb525 · « **Reply #18 on:** December 23, 2009, 09:02:57 pm »

I have a '98 Chevy 1500 with the 302 (5.0 L) in it, and I get 15-18 mpg, and most of those miles are short-distance, about 10 minutes to school and work. Highway would be even better.

Ironwood · « **Reply #19 on:** December 23, 2009, 09:07:58 pm »

soooo, how is the 5.9? Looking at a FL-80 w/ one and a 5-2 manual.

Ironwood

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Author Topic: A little bitty truck problem (Read 3988 times)