Horrible gas milage on my 4dr? Help

[doucy2]

my 91 318i with 120k

all city driving buzzing around town, I'm only getting around 18mpg (thats with the E light on) Why would it be getting such poor milage?

I have a Jim C knock off chip and I always put 93 in, so its getting expensive.
Any help

[FL318is]

There was a thread awhile back on MPG. From what I remember the M42 is not the fuel mizer you would expect with a 4 banger.

[doucy2]

would an exahust leak do it, i think mine is leaking its llouder than it should be.

[FL318is]

I guess its possible. I am no good at mech. Keep bumping til the gear-heads reply.

[Meister]

I have an exhaust leak also, and I am only getting about 250 miles on a tank. I think that might be causing it cuz before i was getting about 300 on a tank..

[gimpy9195]

my exhaust is shot also. and am getting 300 to a tank. my thermostat is stuck open so my car never warms up. I got better gas mileage in the summer to I can assume that I should replace that to get my summer mileage of 400 to a tank.

[Alpine003]

I'm only getting around 18mpg (thats with the E light on)

I would check out the cause of the E light since this might have something to do with your mileage.

Other than that, check the normal things:
Fuel filter
Spark plug/wires/coils
Clean Fuel Injectors
Coolant Temp Sensor
TB cable and settings

[asubimmer]

yeah I suggest anyone who hasn't changed their fuel filters to do it, its cheap and easy. Chances are yours is prob original...

[sheepdog]

I would check out the cause of the E light since this might have something to do with your mileage.

Other than that, check the normal things:
Fuel filter
Spark plug/wires/coils
Clean Fuel Injectors
Coolant Temp Sensor
TB cable and settings

Good advice.
All of those can lead to drastic losses.
May want to look into and air filter as well.

Even good platinum plugs can cost you several MPG, when they are good. These motors like normal plugs. Platinum +4 can cost you 4mpg, ask how I know...

If your wires are bad, do the coil on plug conversion, it is cheaper and works better.

Injectors, get some Chevron Techron from Autozone. Get your tank down to 1/4, then add 3/4 of the bottle, drive 30 minutes, then fill the tank, and dump in the rest, this will clean out the injectors and carbon. Also, make sure you are revving up the engine some. For every 10 minutes of city driving, these cars want a minute on the highway above 3k (look in the manual).

Coolant sensor is easy, where is your temp gauge? Around half is good. 1/4 is bad.

Fuel Filter, change it if it is old.
Do it when the car has been off for a while and is cold. Be prepared for a small smelly mess.

[doucy2]

Good advice.
All of those can lead to drastic losses.
May want to look into and air filter as well.

Even good platinum plugs can cost you several MPG, when they are good. These motors like normal plugs. Platinum +4 can cost you 4mpg, ask how I know...

If your wires are bad, do the coil on plug conversion, it is cheaper and works better.

Injectors, get some Chevron Techron from Autozone. Get your tank down to 1/4, then add 3/4 of the bottle, drive 30 minutes, then fill the tank, and dump in the rest, this will clean out the injectors and carbon. Also, make sure you are revving up the engine some. For every 10 minutes of city driving, these cars want a minute on the highway above 3k (look in the manual).

Coolant sensor is easy, where is your temp gauge? Around half is good. 1/4 is bad.

Fuel Filter, change it if it is old.
Do it when the car has been off for a while and is cold. Be prepared for a small smelly mess.

Coils and plugs are brand new 1000 miles ago
I'll try that with my injectors
and for my temp gauge when it is warn it stays around 1/4?? what do i need to do to fit it?

I'll change the filter once I get some $$ in my pocket.

[silverblades181]

How old is the thermostat?

[doucy2]

How old is the thermostat?

ide assume original?