Poor gas mileage 81 FI Spider

[RRoller123]

The CSI needs a ball-end allen to reach the bottom bolt. Crazy setup, pita. You get at it with about a 30 degree angle. I seem to remember it is a 5, but don't hold to this.

[majicwrench]

Don't bother taking out your CSI. If it was leaking car would be flooded on starting among other things.

I had a gal a couple days ago call me back after a repair I did a couple weeks ago, she is THRILLED she is getting soo much better gas mileage!! I fixed a wheel bearing (which is not gonna affect the mileage) BUT I also put air in the tires

The O2 ccan absolutely affect mileage, would be nice it you would test that. Tires, and how fast you drive, are huge players in the mileage game.

[MrWampus]

I've been really busy lately and have had no time to tinker. But I have seen several references here about how the plugs look. How SHOULD the plugs look? Here is a picture of mine. They all look the same but I don't know what to look for.

[seabeelt]

Those look like it's running rich. They should be a more whitish tan color
R/

[majicwrench]

"Reading" plugs is really subjective unless you are a real pro. Did you start car, drive into garage to pull plug?? It will have a little blackish look to it. All sorts of things play into a plugs appearance. Way back when I dealt with NGK on a track car project, they would have us shut engine off after running it full throttle on track and coast in, then pull plug.

That plug looks fine.

[MrWampus]

I replaced the O2 sensor and immediately noticed a reduction in the smell. After one tank and about another half I'm now getting over 25 in mostly city driving. I think the O2 sensor was the main culprit. The reason it has taken me so long to update is that while changing out the sensor I also decided to replace the thermostat because I felt it was stuck open and running cool. Well, one thing led to another, what with the slow leak in the radiator and the cracked overflow bottle, so I put in a new radiator, thermo fan switch, and hoses with my thermostat and overflow bottle. Everything seems good now in the cooling department and the fuel economy department.

Now on to the just-broken handbrake cable.