'86 Bird w/3.8 Carb = Bad Mileage March 16, 2006, 09:38:34 PM Hey I have had this 86 thunderbird for a little over a year now. In the summer I had experienced some trouble with the car running like while driving. Constantly stalling, no power, etc. Anyways that was a simple side of the highway fix with a new fuel filter. Ran fine. About 4 months ago my mileage went down drastically. I was averaging before about 450km per tank, then down to 300km/tank. I was noticing during the time that the car would idle quite high almost all the time. Didn't matter if it was warm/cold or anything. It always started fine, ran fine, except going through a lot of gas. So I went ahead and changed the plugs/cap/rotor/air filter (not the wires yet). The car was running pretty good again and was back to about 450km/tank. Then again recently it started to suck gas again. Last tank I got 300km on the tank. I checked the choke and it seems to be working fine. Doesn't seem to stuck or anything as it moved pretty freely. I do plan on changing out the plug wires out this weekend and seeing what happens. I was wondering if there was anything else I should look into? Any ideas would be great. Hopefully the new wires help the problem. ThanksJason Quote Selected
'86 Bird w/3.8 Carb = Bad Mileage Reply #1 – March 17, 2006, 09:24:57 AM I know this probably isn't the answer you're looking for, but that answer just might be in this site: http://www.recarbco.com/technical/newtrouble.html Quote Selected
'86 Bird w/3.8 Carb = Bad Mileage Reply #2 – March 17, 2006, 12:29:33 PM check for vacspoogee leaks Quote Selected
'86 Bird w/3.8 Carb = Bad Mileage Reply #3 – March 21, 2006, 12:46:18 AM Had the same problem. Car would really idle fast. I sprayed a rust penetrent into carg area including the throttle spring assembly and down the metal shaft that goes by the transmission. Quote Selected
'86 Bird w/3.8 Carb = Bad Mileage Reply #4 – March 21, 2006, 01:27:49 AM Yeah that was one of the things I did. The kickdown isn't the problem I'm pretty sure. Well when I replaced the plugs a few months ago I didn't replace 2 of the plugs at the time. So last week I changed the last 2 that I couldn't get to before. I also checked the hoses, and whatever else. So far over the last few days it isn't ideling high anymore. Yet to put new wires on though. Just been busy. Well see how far this tank goes, then update. Thanks for the ideas.Jason Quote Selected