With 10 years and 95K on my LX decided car is a keeper, it is time to catch up on what I neglected over the years. From rust cleaning on frame welds, POR15, Boeshield T9 and fluid film inside the frame, all fluids, complete brake job with new OEM calipers painted red (for the extra 10mph in top speed everyone promised), new spark plugs, MAF and throttle body cleaning and just for kicks decided to change the PCV valve because it was inexpensive and i needed something extra to get free shipping on my parts order.
Took me an hour to find it as it is hidden under the foam on the right side under the intake manifold and Service Manual calls for the manifold removal in order to replace it. That is not necessary as you can easily reach down with large socket after removing the hose and pushing insulating foam down.
Well my 2010 had the old style all black PCV valve which was either completely stuck or faulty (non rattle) design and new valve had a green top and distinctive rattle.
Well after all the maintenance I noticed significant improvement in gas mileage, I filled my tank with some premium (not to top it off) and 2 bottles of STP injector cleaner from Wally’s World (recommended by mechanic friend) and took my car for a 100 mile injector cleaning highway run. I normally run 87 in my truck as Premium is almost twice the price in IL. I did fill up with premium before (i do it every so often when I find good price across the state line) but never saw significant mpg jump from using premium alone.
I noticed significant improvement in my milage, I find on board CAN fuel gauge (trip computer) to be very accurate other than first 50 miles after fill-up when you top the tank off - (explains not to top it off above). My fuel usage before the trip was at 12.4 as car went thru a lot if driveway idling for all the maintenance.
As I took my vehicle for the ride my numbers started improving from good to impressive numbers I do not recall seeing before. I do not even remember seeing 18mpg on highway cruise. Usually I was in 17.4 17.8 range.
Well for the last 20 miles, cruise control at 70 mph or so I got the consumption to stabilize between 19.7 on the highway slight incline and 19.8 down. After getting off the highway my fuel computer registered 20mpg when I slowed down to 40 mph. I do not recall ever seeing 20 mpg on my trip computer.
I did a lot of maintenance and pins on my old calipers were stuck frozen from rust so it is indeed possible that my old brakes were dragging, one of the original spark plugs was under tourqed but I truly think faulty PCV valve was to blame for the poor gas mileage.
I credit the improvement to the new PCV valve. Either that or the red calipers. Another variable I also got new set of Michelin Defenders at Costco (replaced Continental Ecco-Plus) just before the 100 mile drive, new tires ARE nitrogen filled as that is what Costco does these days.
I suggest if have an older 200 with old black PCV valve - change it, you never know, that alone may put some extra ZIP in your car. It is inexpensive and easy change as long as you do not follow the factory service manual.
I soaked the old valve in parts cleaner for days and it still does not rattle like the new one does so I suspect faulty design - hence new and improved design of the new valve.
Also very happy with LED upgrades I researched on the site. Original halogens sucked due that “recall resistor” in line with light circuit.
Took me an hour to find it as it is hidden under the foam on the right side under the intake manifold and Service Manual calls for the manifold removal in order to replace it. That is not necessary as you can easily reach down with large socket after removing the hose and pushing insulating foam down.
Well my 2010 had the old style all black PCV valve which was either completely stuck or faulty (non rattle) design and new valve had a green top and distinctive rattle.
Well after all the maintenance I noticed significant improvement in gas mileage, I filled my tank with some premium (not to top it off) and 2 bottles of STP injector cleaner from Wally’s World (recommended by mechanic friend) and took my car for a 100 mile injector cleaning highway run. I normally run 87 in my truck as Premium is almost twice the price in IL. I did fill up with premium before (i do it every so often when I find good price across the state line) but never saw significant mpg jump from using premium alone.
I noticed significant improvement in my milage, I find on board CAN fuel gauge (trip computer) to be very accurate other than first 50 miles after fill-up when you top the tank off - (explains not to top it off above). My fuel usage before the trip was at 12.4 as car went thru a lot if driveway idling for all the maintenance.
As I took my vehicle for the ride my numbers started improving from good to impressive numbers I do not recall seeing before. I do not even remember seeing 18mpg on highway cruise. Usually I was in 17.4 17.8 range.
Well for the last 20 miles, cruise control at 70 mph or so I got the consumption to stabilize between 19.7 on the highway slight incline and 19.8 down. After getting off the highway my fuel computer registered 20mpg when I slowed down to 40 mph. I do not recall ever seeing 20 mpg on my trip computer.
I did a lot of maintenance and pins on my old calipers were stuck frozen from rust so it is indeed possible that my old brakes were dragging, one of the original spark plugs was under tourqed but I truly think faulty PCV valve was to blame for the poor gas mileage.
I credit the improvement to the new PCV valve. Either that or the red calipers. Another variable I also got new set of Michelin Defenders at Costco (replaced Continental Ecco-Plus) just before the 100 mile drive, new tires ARE nitrogen filled as that is what Costco does these days.
I suggest if have an older 200 with old black PCV valve - change it, you never know, that alone may put some extra ZIP in your car. It is inexpensive and easy change as long as you do not follow the factory service manual.
I soaked the old valve in parts cleaner for days and it still does not rattle like the new one does so I suspect faulty design - hence new and improved design of the new valve.
Also very happy with LED upgrades I researched on the site. Original halogens sucked due that “recall resistor” in line with light circuit.
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