Why do I burn so much gas when I floor it?

Topic: Why do I burn so much gas when I floor it? (Read 2660 times) previous topic - next topic

Why do I burn so much gas when I floor it?

December 16, 2004, 07:54:50 PM

Whenever I floor it I burn almost an entire small green line off the gas gauge. My friend said that I may have header leaks and I would have to replace something that goes between the headers and engine. It's not creating enough back pressure so it just shoves gas out into the exhaust or something.

What is he talking about? Can I do this myself because it's really killing my wallet. I can't race because of it.
My car is 1987 V6 LS.

Re: Why do I burn so much gas when I floor it?

Reply #1 – December 16, 2004, 08:06:42 PM

Are you sure its actually using that fuel? When I floor it with my buttstuffog gauges, especially around the 3/4 mark, it may drop down 1/4 to 1/2 a tank...it doesn't mean I actually just burned all that fuel (and for some reason, I'm currently getting the same mileage per tank whether I zip around town or drive slowly).

Re: Why do I burn so much gas when I floor it?

Reply #2 – December 16, 2004, 08:14:27 PM

I also have an 87 3.8 and when I floor it the gas gauge goes down but a few minutes later it goes back up. It is not very accurate. When I get to the empty mark it still has 3 to 4 gallons left but that is ford for ya.

Re: Why do I burn so much gas when I floor it?

Reply #3 – December 16, 2004, 09:18:45 PM

your friend is full of it...but anyways

everyone is right, its not that youre actually burning it that fast, the gas just sloshes around in the tank

Re: Why do I burn so much gas when I floor it?

Reply #4 – December 16, 2004, 11:08:21 PM

Quote from: t0x1k

Whenever I floor it I burn almost an entire small green line off the gas gauge. My friend said that I may have header leaks and I would have to replace something that goes between the headers and engine. It's not creating enough back pressure so it just shoves gas out into the exhaust or something.

What is he talking about? Can I do this myself because it's really killing my wallet. I can't race because of it.
My car is 1987 V6 LS.

lol your friend is a tard, the only thing between the headers and the engine is the gasket. does your friend drive a Honda or similar? cuz they usually don't know anything about backpressure, or cars in general. the only way gas would be shoved into the exhaust would be if your valve timing was totally FUBAR, or you were running super rich.

you forgot to mention...does the gas gauge go back up after you stop flooring it? or maybe there's a flaming trail of gas on the ground wherever you drive?

Quote

(and for some reason, I'm currently getting the same mileage per tank whether I zip around town or drive slowly).

that's because you go slow everywhere :ies: i keed, i keed

Re: Why do I burn so much gas when I floor it?

Reply #5 – December 16, 2004, 11:36:41 PM

You friend would make an excellant header gastket and salesman (woman).

That's usually how a$$holes rip people off automotivly.

Re: Why do I burn so much gas when I floor it?

Reply #6 – December 16, 2004, 11:40:51 PM

lol, does he sell headlight fluid?

Re: Why do I burn so much gas when I floor it?

Reply #7 – December 17, 2004, 12:08:39 AM

Dont worry, if this is the case, you need to go downhill and you can recovery more fuel than you have put in the tank.........jeje...

Re: Why do I burn so much gas when I floor it?

Reply #8 – December 17, 2004, 02:16:46 AM

Quote from: zpyro

lol your friend is a tard, the only thing between the headers and the engine is the gasket. does your friend drive a Honda or similar? cuz they usually don't know anything about backpressure, or cars in general.

I know that backpressures have different effects on two strokes, maybe he is more of a two stroke guy (*snicker*)

One way to get better mileage is to put air shocks in the rear of your car and pump them right up, that way your car is always traveling down hill and you will consequently get better mileage :ies:

Re: Why do I burn so much gas when I floor it?

Reply #9 – December 17, 2004, 08:37:44 AM

Yeah it goes back up, but not to the same position it was before I floored it. I tap the panel and it goes up a little bit.

Re: Why do I burn so much gas when I floor it?

Reply #10 – December 17, 2004, 12:11:34 PM

Quote from: zpyro

that's because you go slow everywhere :ies: i keed, i keed

cant really kid when its the truth...i can speed, but it takes a while

Re: Why do I burn so much gas when I floor it?

Reply #11 – December 22, 2004, 12:32:35 AM

I don't know if this is the case for all gas tanks, but in my '87 5.0 the sensor is definitely in the front of the tank...when I'm pointing downhill the gas gauge increases and it decreases when I'm pointing uphill. If I tromp on the gas the gauge naturally drops. My guess is that this is what you're seeing.

As a side note, it's the opposite in my Explorer, and a lot more severe. The gauge *really* drops when I'm pointing downhill in it, and it's sometimes a pain keeping the two vehicles straight in my head as to the float position in the tank.

Re: Why do I burn so much gas when I floor it?

Reply #12 – December 22, 2004, 01:10:29 AM

Quote from: Tbird232ci

cant really kid when its the truth...i can speed, but it takes a while

Re: Why do I burn so much gas when I floor it?

Reply #13 – December 22, 2004, 01:37:01 AM

Get to test my freeway mileage tomorrow. Going to visit family in Seattle through friday

Re: Why do I burn so much gas when I floor it?

Reply #14 – December 22, 2004, 08:35:37 PM

Quote from: Tbird232ci

your friend is full of it...but anyways

everyone is right, its not that youre actually burning it that fast, the gas just sloshes around in the tank

dito