VeeSykkz

I bought this poor neglected car about 6 months ago and it had an intermittent bank 1 sensor 1 fail code. One for out of spec, one for NOT PRESENT or something of the sort like it couldnt FIND the sensor. I replaced the top front O2 sensor and while it doesnt happen as often, it still gives a CEL on occasion.

Ideas?

lazlong

Sounds like a loose connection. Check the terminals in the connector and for loose wire(s).

tech8

What were the specific trouble codes?

tech8

Btw: Bank 1 Sensor 1 is the rear sensor.

Post the trouble code though.

johnnyb588

There was a TSB for a software issue for these cars ages ago. I get P2197 all the time, but it's not actually running lean. My guess is you're running into the same issue.

VeeSykkz

well ****. I always thought bank 1 was nose side. I will pull codes again tomorrow, as Im certain its at least stored, but thankfully not active and no CEL for a cpl days.

BTW, what kind of fuel range should I expect? I'm getting around 21mpg and 300 miles per tank, but this tank will be about 330-350 with less CEL activity...and less playful throttle haha

94vtecmn

How many gallons to how many miles? Miles per tank means nothing. You can be off 3-5mpg guessing like that.

johnnyb588

I get 30 in my 6MT.

VeeSykkz

Well that sucks. I read and expected 30mpg which is why I got the car...I'm seeing 21-23 and a 300 mile range. I'm assuming it's due to this sensor.

I thought we had 17 gallon tanks. Gas light should give 2 gallons, but even after pushing the range I only filled 14 gallons.

BLKFLSH

The light comes on early, most people only get a little over 13 gallons in, if they fill up right when the light comes on. You had 3 gallons left, if all you got in was 14. You can get 30mpg on the highway, but I only get about 23mpg around town. I think that's good for a V6 engine. Where did you read this?

VeeSykkz

Read fuel numbers in car and Driver reports and various consumer publications. I was driving 42 miles all highway a day for work and still never got that kinda mileage. 215 a week for work. I ALWAYS track my fuel mileage every tank and have been getting 21 mpg a tank since I got it, hoped for more. I was always told fuel light only gives 2 gallons reserve. Not that I push that often, working at Napa those 2 years and seeing fuel pumps run low and no warranty given for such taught me well.

I'm obviously going to replace the upper rear ox sensor very soon, christmas present for my car. Just wondering if I'm getting worse mileage than I should.

BLKFLSH

Even if you are driving on the highway, if you nail the accelerator often, or drive aggressively the mileage will go down. If you are driving conservative on the highway, and still get only 21 mpg, then I would say that's lower than it should be. All low fuel lights don't work the same. My Silverado, for instance, the low fuel light doesn't come on till it's almost on E. I didn't think it had a low fuel light for a while. The Accord light comes on, and it's barely under 1/4 tank. It's nice to know you can still go at least 75 miles, after the light comes on, so I'd rather have the light come on early.

94vtecmn

Just how do you track it? Like this?

Date ODO Gal $/Gal Total $ ODO/Tank MPG
11/2/2014 142,209 14.088 $3.05 $43.10 346.90 24.62
11/12/2014 142,559 14.759 $2.85 $42.20 350.10 23.72
11/29/2014 142,891 15.563 $2.69 $42.00 331.60 21.31
12/7/2014 143,089 9.145 $2.55 $23.40 197.90 21.64
12/8/2014 143,319 7.965 $2.69 $21.50 230.20 28.90


And if you are driving 80+, you won't get 30. But you should get all of 27-28, even in the winter. Those 21's I got are driving around town up and down through the gears, foot into it. That 28.9 was a 230 mile drive, 225 miles of it running ~75.

My fuel light comes on generally with approxiamately 3+ gallons left.

VeeSykkz

I reset trip odometer every tank and divide, I know that only gives me combined mpg, but i saw combuned numbera higher than 22mpg. Being unemployed right now I absolutely stay out of the throttle as much as possible.

First paycheck I get is replacing the backside bank 1 sensor for sure. The light came on again last night. Will have codes pulled this morning after I drop kids off at school.

johnnyb588

Again, maybe I'm just lucky in regard to gas mileage, but I get 30 combined with my 6MT. I never drive STRICTLY city miles, but the very worst tank I have ever gotten was 27.5mpg. That's in 110 degree heat, blasting AC, heavy on the pedal, mostly city miles. If I'm highway only, I can get 34, maybe 35.

Now, I'm unlucky in many other regards with my 6MT, as it looks like it may have finally bitten the dust, but gas mileage in the low 20's would indicate a serious problem to me, given that I get ~10mpg better than that on average.