98hx only getting 25-28 mpg?!?!?!

[Baltothewolf]

Your commute is your problem. I get 65-70mpg in my insight, but when I used to work 6 miles from home, I would struggle to get 50 WITH a kill switch and pulse and gliding. Go for a 300 mile cruise on the freeway at 70mph. Fill up at a gas station, drive 150 miles, turn around and come back, then fill at same station, same pump. Guarantee you will be at 40 or better. My civic had knockoff tires, old plugs and distributor, and old oil and I still got 38-42 depending on driving habits.

[98civHX]

I might just have to make this trip to really find out lol I've made trips 2 hours out of town but had to drive in the city as well. Therefore, I couldn't get an accurate reading. But, I feel like I should still be getting over 30mpg easy with my hx.

[user removed]

Originally Posted by 98civHX

My daily commute is less than 5 miles a day. It takes a while fory car to warm up and it only reaches 1/4 of the way on the thermostat. I shift between 2k-2.5k rpm my rpm @ 60mph is 2.5k or less

You need to replace the thermostat, preferrably with an OEM Honda unit. Make sure the system is properly bled when you refill the coolant. IF you dont when really cold weather arrives, you probably will not have any heat to warm the car. Gauge should read around half way within 1.5 miles.

A BAD THERMOSTAT WILL CAUSE OTHER PROBLEMS OVER TIME AND CONTRIBUTE TO CARBON FOULING, BOTH IN THE ENGINE ITSELF AND IN THE EGR PASSAGEWAYS.

On a 10 miles round trip in my Mirage (5 each way) I can get close to 60 mpg as long as speeds are lower. In your HX, if the commute is at lower speeds, over 40 should be fairly easy, even higher speeds would not be much lower.

The HX transmission should give you right around 2k rpm at 60mph. If not that is part of your mileage issue, especially on the highway.

Calcivic drives a HX, look at his mpg and his techniques and mods are specific to that vehicle. He has written the book on his HX.

regards
mech

[user removed]

As far as rod bearings and piston slap, I doubt you have either of those as a problem unless the oil has been severely neglected or the mileage is much higher that you think.

Some engines have a little piston slap when they are cold but it goes away when they warm up. Nothing to worry about.

A rod knock is a very "heavy sound" like banging a hammer against the engine.

regards
mech

[user removed]

Most important at your mileage is to be absolutely certain the timing belt has been replaced. Documentation from the previous owner with a receipt from a reputable shop is your best insurance. A broken timing belt means bent valves and possibly much worse, up to needing a new engine.

regards
mech

[Xist]

98, have you seen http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...tml#post497746

Standard MPG gauges are problematic on cars with lean burn because they calculate fuel use based on air flow, but air increases, and fuel reduces, so they would erroneously . The MPGuino actually measures fuel usage, but it is a bit complicated. I have had this open for a while, but I am waiting for my life to actually come together a bit more:

MPGuino trip computer - MPGuino and
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ures-8355.html

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by 98civHX

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ^ when I reply do you guys get notifications? I'm new to this site so I'm not sure if you guys are getting my responses.

I was suggesting a private message ("PM"), but I got your email address and will send a message to you in a moment to test whether the email is correct.

james

[98civHX]

Originally Posted by California98Civic

I was suggesting a private message ("PM"), but I got your email address and will send a message to you in a moment to test whether the email is correct.

james

Yeah, I'm new to this site. I clicked on your profile and tried to PM you but I wasn't sure how to do it. But, I just sent you a reply in my email as well and I'll edit my rmail out of the previous post.

[98civHX]

Originally Posted by Old Mechanic

Most important at your mileage is to be absolutely certain the timing belt has been replaced. Documentation from the previous owner with a receipt from a reputable shop is your best insurance. A broken timing belt means bent valves and possibly much worse, up to needing a new engine.

regards
mech

Okay, thanks A LOT! I'll replace the thermostat with an OEM unit. My belts look great but one of them sounds loose. In the handbook it says that the drive/alternator belt has an automatic tensioner so would it be my power steering belt that is squeaking? Both belts look relatively new and have no signs of wear and tear.

[98civHX]

Just, I forgot to add that my power steering does not make noises when I turn. So, would this be my drive/ alternator belt? Or, do I have a bad pulley/bearing?