Poor mileage after timing belt change????? Options

[cardshark525]

I had my timing belt/waterpump changed last week and a new alternator put on as my old one was dying.

I was consistently getting in the neighborhood of 27-28 mpg and as high as 30 (on longer trips of 200+ miles on the highway).

Now that the old.... slacking... used parts have been changed... I'm having an issue that I realized as I filled up my car.

11.3 gallons for 263 miles. or... 23 mpg.... 23!!!

The only other time I have ever gotten such poor gas mileage out of my car was when I first got it, and was flooring it in every gear... thrilled with the joy of not only having a first car but having a FUN car to drive.

This is the second tank of gas now since the repairs that I've gotten sub 25 mpg and I do 90% highway driving.


Do any of you Celi Guru's have any clue what could have happened during the timing belt swap in the shop to account for this?

Is my timing off? Am I running insanely rich? Did a hose of some sort get unhooked?


In short.... what the hell is going on and how do I fix it?

This post has been edited by cardshark525: Nov 14, 2009 - 6:33 PM

[Mstoochn]

pop off the timing cover and see if its set right. on the intake cam gear there we be a mark

[domyz]

It is possibly your mechanic that retarded the cam timing by one teeth on the cam timing gear when he installed your timing belt

[Bitter]

timing is probably off a tooth.

[6G96GT]

wouldn't there be symptoms though like pinging under acceleration up a hill or something or lack of power at acceleration?

This post has been edited by 6G96GT: Nov 15, 2009 - 4:44 AM

[domyz]

yes you would get especially less high end torque, if it is noticable

[Bitter]

yes you would get especially less high end torque, if it is noticable

might never notice loss of topend on a 5S-FE.

[6G96GT]

pop off the timing cover and see if its set right. on the intake cam gear there we be a mark

Little more detail on this?

[cardshark525]

pop off the timing cover and see if its set right. on the intake cam gear there we be a mark

Little more detail on this?

Yes could you get a little more specific?

Would this be an easy fix... can I just advance my timing or would I need to get in there and play with the timing belt?



Unfortunately I cannot vouch for loss of top end torque because I can't apply more than half throttle right now (slipping clutch)

Will have that fixed next sunday but I'll look to fix the timing problem then as well.

[Bitter]

you know a slipping clutch will cause poor mileage, right?

[cardshark525]

you know a slipping clutch will cause poor mileage, right?

Yes I am aware of that however the first tank of gas on which I got sub 25 mpg the clutch wasn't slipping yet.


Would I be able to check the timing setting somewhere to verify it while I'm under there changing the clutch or is it guess work?

I'd like to knock both of these things out this Sunday since I'm taking off of work to get them done.

It's a little annoying getting the same gas mileage as my wifes old 2003 V6 Taurus.

(you think our cars are underpowered.... Ha... try 155 hp out of a 3.0L V6)