95 LE 5SFE getting ~10-12 mpg around town.

[ryanmartini]

So here is the story, for a while now the car has been acting up. It is getting around 10-12 mpg on every tank of gas. So far I have tried all three grades of gasoline not containing ethanol after a Toyota Tech said the ethanol could result in up to 10% less fuel economy.

So after I went from 220-260 miles a tank to 180 miles to a tank, I brought it in and paid the $80 for a full look over. They found nothing wrong other than the tranny fluid was looking icky. I had brought it in also for small studders in acceleration which would happen around 2000-2400RPM every now and then. I know its there, I have had the car for several years now. So we changed the trans fluid which helped.

The mileage dropped another 5 miles. 175 miles.. Then it dropped to a low of 160 miles where I put in a FULL 16 gallons of gasoline. ~10 mpg. I had it looked over again. It has no leaks anywhere, the timing belt and pump have already been replaced at around 100k miles. It has 107k now.

I am just at a damned loss. Its been checked over multiple times by Toyota. Last time they even gave me half off the diagnostic fee.. Im just at a loss. I drive it nicely. I let it shift at ~2400 and never abuse the car.

I need some ideas here guys n gals.

Thanks,
Ryan Martinage

[touringcamry]

What is the condition of your air filter, spark plugs, and plug wires?

[Kenny_McCormic]

How do you drive? WOT at every light and hitting the red at every shift will do that.

[uuuuu]

What is your gas tank seal like? Rusted out filler neck?

[chronoti]

last time since full tune up. have you tried seafoam. when you get in the car and before you turn it on does the cel turn on while the engine off? (i know it sounds stupid but after so long you tend not to notice these things).

quick thing would be to reset the ecu, just pull the efi fuse for 10 sec. and let it reset the fuel map.

also watch if your neighbor stealing your gas

[flyeri]

This car should not get 10mpg. I'm not even sure it will run that bad and be drivable unless you drive with your foot through the firewall all the time.

If you have not done so recentl,y change plugs, wires, and air filter.

Jack up each wheel and make sure no brakes are dragging.

Check the tire air pressure to 32psi.

Are you in heavy stop and go traffic that you weren't in previously?

The only other thing is
"also watch if your neighbor stealing your gas"

[BamZipPow]

I'd be real curious on the results of what the Toyota techs tested fer...it would really help here on what they have already checked.

If it was a rusted/leaking tank seal...wouldn't that throw a check engine light? Not sure if the 1995 Camry had the vapor sensors/code or not...

What RPMs are you seeing at what speed? How's yer coolant temp doing? Have you looked inside the throttle body? How clean is it in there? When's the last time you checked the PCV valve?

[abew330]

my car was the same i use to get 12 city / highway

i use to get barely 200 miles to the full tank.. after i seafoam i get 300 miles a full tank

(20mpg) city/ highway.. mostly city tho...

[ryanmartini]

sec, responding to all posts here.

@ Touring. The filters are pretty new. I put in new K&N everything last year. Ill knock some dust off if it needs it.

@ Kenny: Please read my post. I said my driving habits right there. I don't abuse my car. I drive it up to 2400-2600 rpm max, 3-4k only if I have to rush over for some jackass. I take care of my vehicle.

@ uuu: The seal and neck are fine. Its always been a FL car, no rust.

@ chronati: seafoam and ecu reset will be attempted.. Toyota said they did, but I doubt it.

@flyeri: Brakes are not dragging. I lifted them up today and all is good. Tires are filled with nitrogen and are all at 32 psi.

I'd be real curious on the results of what the Toyota techs tested fer...it would really help here on what they have already checked.

If it was a rusted/leaking tank seal...wouldn't that throw a check engine light? Not sure if the 1995 Camry had the vapor sensors/code or not...

What RPMs are you seeing at what speed? How's yer coolant temp doing? Have you looked inside the throttle body? How clean is it in there? When's the last time you checked the PCV valve?

the RPM's are good. As mentioned, there is sometimes a stutter or hesitation at 22-2400 RPMs with the car. It will do 60 @ 2200, 70 at 2400 75@ 2700 and 80 @ 3000 like always. Cruising RPM is steady, ~47 mph at 1900 rpm, 50-53 @ 2k-2100 rpm.

Coolant temp is good. It has a new radiator in it as the old one split about two years ago. Im going to look at the TB tomorrow and the PCV valve.

@ abew330: The car had a seafoam treatment not long ago. Shot out a cloud the size of road island lol.