'92 SE 174K miles

I get 12-13 MPG in town, not really a lead foot, only stomp on it when I have to get across a busy street. I changed my plugs and wires (AC Delco and Duralast, respectively) about 8 months ago. The air filter is due for replacement. As for the O2 sensor, TPS, and the TB itself, I don't know how to see if anything'* messed up, but since my car is 15 years old, there could be an original O2 or a very dirty TB, who knows. I just thought I'd post on here for the Bonneville gurus and mechanics in general to help me figure out what my problem may be.

Air filter, and cleaning the MAF would be the top of my list if I were in your shoes. If it persists, we can go from there. I'm sure others have their thoughts on this.

If you don't know how old the O2 is, or you know it'* over 60k, change it. They start getting tired about that age. AC Delco ONLY. Denso POSSIBLY. NGK? Dunno. NEVER Bosch.

I don't disagree with the above responses. But when did this problem start? Have you had this car a long time, and has the low mpg always been a problem, or is it something kind of recent (like in the last year or so)? Have your driving conditions changed?

Also, what kind of highway mileage do you get? Let'* say an easy 200-300 mile drive.

When you drive in town, how many miles are you driving at a stretch? You need to put on 10 miles per ride, or so, in not so heavy traffic to get a realistic city mpg figure (I think). It takes a mile or two just to get the engine warmed up and efficient.

Just some of my thoughts.

(ps -- you're right, there'* lot'* of posts and good responses in the BC forums. You'll get lot'* of hits on "mpg". Do the suggested maintenance, and then go from there).

I am unsure on how to clean the MAF. I know where it'* at generally, but not exactly.

Don't know how to change it, but I'm pretty sure I can get a hold of an AC Delco in town. My mom tried to get me Bosch plugs and I took them back after reading about it on here.

This has always been a problem for me, ever since it was purchased a little more than a year ago. As for driving conditions, I don't really get into it that much like I said, mainly because I don't know what the engine can handle since I don't know what it'* been through. Usually when in town (basically the only driving I do) I get somewhere around 8 or 9 miles to and from school/work.


A friend of mine has also said that maybe unhooking the battery and bleeding the power out from the computer might reset it and it could relearn the mixtures of fuel and air and give me more efficiency.

Also, changed the air filter today. Fram that cost me $7 and I think the one I took might have actually been a high performance one, like an air hog.

Go here to find where to remove your MAF

http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...ic.php?t=78372

Get some of this stuff to clean the MAF


When you remove it, you'll see this tiny wire covered in soot. Just spray the crap out of it until it is clean, reinstall it and GO!


"Bleeding the Power out of the computer"?
Well, OK, I never heard this as "bleeding" but in your case this would not hurt. However, the computer usually gets new information every nanosecond so it'* constantly updating the fuel/air mixture.
I think just doing the basics, that is new plugs, air filter, gas filter, and new O2 sensor should bring your gas mileage up considerably. Try to keep things simple and stay with Delco. That said, I just found out that I have a Bosch O2 Sensor in my car and it seems to be working out fine. I must be that 10th person of the survey that shows " Nine out of Ten People have Problems with Bosch O2 Sensors"

MAF sensor and TB cleaning is listed in Techinfo. Very easy to follow along, and some good precautions.

i haven't seen that stuff before (maf sensor cleaner)...can it be found at most parts stores?

You don't really need it. Read the Techinfo article. I'm sure you have rubbing alcohol already at home.

OK, I cleaned my MAF sensor, but I haven't gotten a new tank of gas (Can barely afford it).

Could a fuel treatment help, such as lucas or whatever?