Damn I've been away for too long. (Hurricanes, a job switch, and moving will do that though..)
Anyway, I was getting *atrocious* gas mileage on my '87 vert, even after a tuneup. (Plugs, wires, timing belt, fuel filter) I actually dropped from about 180 miles/tank to 130. After thinking it over, I took the Stang back to a local shop that does all my work, and complained about it. Lo and behold, they found that the new timing belt had jumped a tooth and after an hour and a half, I had the keys back in my hand.
It's like a new car. Much more responsive, and the mileage has more than doubled. Thankfully the work on the belt was done under warranty, so I was happy for that.
Hopefully this will help someone struggling with mileage issues. I don't drive much anymore (Getting my last 130 mile tank took 12 days) so the newfound mileage should mean 3 weeks to a month between fillups.
One thing I did notice though.. After the shop had finished with my car, I drove to Tampa and back to test the mileage. (80.1 miles) On the interstate, my car shook violently from 70mph and up. I took it up to 85 and it almost shook itself apart! Any thoughts? I'm guessing suspension - But what part of it? Though I trust my mechanic's assessments, I'm not comfortable letting him guess at it, as his guesses cost me money I don't have.
I'm hoping to drive from here to California sometime in the next 6 months, and possibly tow something for the trip, so I need the susppension issue resolved.
Thanks!
Anyway, I was getting *atrocious* gas mileage on my '87 vert, even after a tuneup. (Plugs, wires, timing belt, fuel filter) I actually dropped from about 180 miles/tank to 130. After thinking it over, I took the Stang back to a local shop that does all my work, and complained about it. Lo and behold, they found that the new timing belt had jumped a tooth and after an hour and a half, I had the keys back in my hand.
It's like a new car. Much more responsive, and the mileage has more than doubled. Thankfully the work on the belt was done under warranty, so I was happy for that.
Hopefully this will help someone struggling with mileage issues. I don't drive much anymore (Getting my last 130 mile tank took 12 days) so the newfound mileage should mean 3 weeks to a month between fillups.
One thing I did notice though.. After the shop had finished with my car, I drove to Tampa and back to test the mileage. (80.1 miles) On the interstate, my car shook violently from 70mph and up. I took it up to 85 and it almost shook itself apart! Any thoughts? I'm guessing suspension - But what part of it? Though I trust my mechanic's assessments, I'm not comfortable letting him guess at it, as his guesses cost me money I don't have.
I'm hoping to drive from here to California sometime in the next 6 months, and possibly tow something for the trip, so I need the susppension issue resolved.
Thanks!
