hondakid23

Hey guys it seems like my 2003 Acura tl type s is sucking up alot of gas I use premium gas too. Such as shell, mobil, or Hess. i filled up about 4 days ago and I set my trip to 0.I did normal driving and 190 miles later the fuel light turned on . I am assuming we have a 17.1 gallon tank so roughly i get 11 mpg. somethings wrong . I already changed my spark plugs less than a year ago anythig else that can help me? I Have also sea-foamed.

acutee

Definitely something is wrong. Check to see if there is a code. could be o2 sensor. Any vibration?

hondakid23

Vibration when? while driving yes, Last time i got a oil change the Acura dealership said I needed struts and motor mounts but nothing about a o2 sensor

hondakid23

Should I replace my air filter?

acutee

Air filter is a must if it is over 30k. Vibration when at idle.

hondakid23

I have 138k on the car had it for 2 years never replaced the filter looked clean but will do tomorrow. Not really vibration at idle. wouldnt I have a check engine light if it was the 02 sensor?

3.2TLc

Things like winter blended gas and overall driving style habits will affect the MPG.
It's possible that a sensor is on the edge of it's range and not throwing a code.
Engine coolant and O2 sensors can send poor info to the car's computer, sometimes causing excessive fuel use.

hondakid23

Which o2 sensor can it be? Our car has 2 right?

victus1

If you haven't done the intake manifold + EGR + throttle body + IACV cleaning service on the car, then it's long overdue. The clogged egr passages may contribute to your problem and will not throw a code until it's too late. But regardless, this important service needs to be done. It's very easy, just search for the full instructions here. Also replace your pcv valve and spark plugs if you haven't done so.

Before replacing oxygen sensors, I would use a scan tool and check the live voltage data to ensure they are functioning within their proper range.

3.2TLc

Yeah, ^~^....as Victus1 suggested, make sure that the basics are done first.
These things are common to our aging TL's and often overlooked, even by the pros.

Were NGK plugs used to replace the old ones ?

So, you've had the TL for two years and it's now sitting on 138k......do you know the previous maintenance history of the car ? The reason I ask is that often at the big $ scheduled maintenance, some people opt to replacing the car rather than spend alot of money on them. The trannys along with the 105k servicing ( T-belt/valve adj.) can discourage owners. These are big ticket items that are part of owning a TL !

hondakid23

Yes I replaced with NGK plugs. My car comes with a 5 year warranty on the transmission and engine from "AutoSAVE" I bought the car at 116k so any maintenance that was required before that I am not reliable for. How can I do the IACV/ throttle body cleaning. I am pretty new to cars so Im not sure?

hondakid23

Should i change my pcv valve too?

hondakid23

Hey guys I posted about a gas mileage issue earlier this week, I was just wondering I do have 140k on my 03 tl was wondering if I should replace the 02 sensor because I think that is whats causing the issue.

When I had a 2000 civic ex and I did a seafoam treatment my CEL went on and it was for my 02 sensor, I have done a couple seafoam treatments on my tl in the past and when I start up the car and take it on a spiritual ride the CEL did go on and then go right back off, do you think the seafoam treatments in the past caused my 02 sensor to go bad and causing a ton of fuel loss?

3.2TLc

Not necessarily, sometimes the CEL will come on ....but once the residuals burn off, all is well. Are you presently getting any CEL codes ?

Poor gas mileage during the winter months with the reformulated fuel sucks.....especially combined with one's driving habits and warm up.

When was the last tune-up ? Could be something old and dirty !

fsttyms1

Like stated above, winter blended fuels reduce mpg, along with colder temps. Driving style, most say they drive normal but that can vary greatly as well due to location. Type of driving, is it all city? Are you in a larger city with a lot of stop and go? Change your air filter, clean your iacv, egr ports, and run a good fuel treatment thru your gas tank a few times (try to add the full can to 1/4-1/2 tank). Also Tires can make a big difference. What psi are you running. Run a few higher than the factory recommendation.

00TL-P3.2

11mpg just seems really low.
I do about 70/30 hwy/city & am averaging close to 25mpg. But, I've been just driving like a granny recently to get it.

acutee

PCV valve is only 5 bucks, very easy to replace; do it, no question there. O2 sensor, 50 bucks. at 140k, just do it, the green wire one. As o2 sensor gets older every day, it surely will consume more gas gradually. You may not get a code from a sensor that is hanging on its last leg. I have seen it. And of course, every other regular maintenance must be taken care of, plus all moving parts such as bearing, pulleys, idlers, etc. Plus, Brake fluid, cease calipers. Do All that before you wonder why.

hondakid23

the green 02 sensor is the post CAT one for the one before the CAT?

closetprisoner

I had done the IACV and Intake passage cleaning, if you need pix, i can post it up to give you some direction but not sure if your intake is the same as mine..

hondakid23

Sorry I meant to say is the green 02 sensor before the CAT or After the CAT since our car has 2.

hondakid23

Yes If you can post the picture it would be great.I have the OEM air filter/intake havent changed it.

closetprisoner

Here you go.. did my intake carbon cleaning few weeks ago. It now idle better, don't know about the gas mileage increase as other experienced, but I didn't see any increase.

Process below..

remove bolts nuts from the intake cover






close up of carbon build up, it normal to see a little oil in there..












Gasket still in tack, stuck on the cover




After gasket remove from cover




Passage of exhaust gas







Clean with carb cleaner and reinstall, be sure to clear all the passage holes.

3.2TLc

Thanks to Closetprisoner for sharing his pics of the EGR passageways ! It shows the reason why our cars need this cleaning performed to help optimize overall runability. This carbon build up will choke the power out of your car and
make it run like shit !

A sticky IACV can also affect the motor's idling quality. Always check the coolant level to make sure that the system is sealed and has no trapped air pockets within it.

hondakid23

Thanks for the pics I just replaced air filter, cleaned gasket + egr ports also replaced PCV valve. Any other suggestions that can affect gas mileage? Exhaust leak?

ArinO

folks, I am filled about 11 gallons ($40, 3.6 $/g). It should go about 200 miles, fuel light is on after just 40 miles trip! what could be the reason I user Raceway(NJ) regular gas. Surprisingly the mpg is showing as 20.8 mpg. How this can happen? is the computer gone? or the GAS station somehow tricked me?

3.2TLc

Regular gas may be part of the problem. Try completely filling the tank at a different station and then see how many miles ya get once the light comes on.

Then when it's time for the next refill, register the miles driven and divide by the gallons of gas that it takes to completely refill the tank to full. Use the same gas station each time, preferably with premium gas !

Is your CEL on ? Have ya checked for a leak ? Is your fuel tank secure from theft by siphoning ? Do ya have a heavy foot or do alot of stop & go driving ?

closetprisoner

sometime I get the feeling the gas station is cheating on measurement. At least it seem this way.

TLer trash

I'm with 3.2tlc; it's gotta be leakage or theft, or a malfunctioning fuel sender/gauge/low fuel light. I don't think you could get mileage that bad [5mpg+-!] if you tried. Have you refilled it yet to see how much it really took?

3.2TLc

Hey yeah, sometimes I feel that way too.....but this dude can't be getting gouged that bad !

20.8 mpg efficiency vs. actual 5>6 mpg = something/body sucking or pissing gas !

hondakid23

i pumped 5.055 gals of premium gas at Hess the other day set my trip to 0 and drove 70.1 miles and the light came on so I got about 13.9 MPG still low right !

3.2TLc

Ya must be either sitting still idling alot.....or ya got yer foot into her !

With that low of gas mileage, the computer must be in default mode.

hondakid23

I have a remote starter but I only let it warm up about 2-3 minutes every morning. Any way to get the computer out of default mode, also do you suggest me changing post CAT 02 sensor?

hondakid23

Quick question on the intake cover when I was using the carb cleaner to blast all the gunk out the front of the cover got really dirty any suggestions on what to use to clean that up?

3.2TLc

More carb cleaner, a good degreaser, mineral spirits, or even gas !

A bit of elbow grease, too. Any other difficult questions ?

shamal

Lmao !!