Author Topic: Gas Mileage Deterioration (Read 8032 times)

Landry · « **on:** March 14, 2005, 05:23:27 PM »

'Sup?

Landry here. Everytime I fill up with gas, I do a quick, mental calculation of my fuel efficiency. Over the last 10 (or so) fill-ups, my gas mileage has deteriorated from 45 mpg down to 35 mpg.

What say you, oh, knowledgeable internet masses?

Data:

2002 Bandit 600S
20,000+ miles

I'm thinking air filter . . . or plugs . . . or toss some Techron in the tank and see if that helps.

Anyone have a suggestion (other than a compression check)?

The bike seems to be running better than ever. Seriously. Makes me think it's running rich as hell, due to a dirty air filter.

Red01 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 14, 2005, 09:51:42 PM »

Sounds like you're on the right track.
How long has the air filter been in there?

PeteSC · « **Reply #2 on:** March 14, 2005, 10:56:02 PM »

What about the Throttle position sensor? Is that something that can go out of whack?

Luckily....most of the obvious stuff is cheap stuff!

B12Teuton · « **Reply #3 on:** March 15, 2005, 08:45:59 AM »

Crappy oxygenated winter fuel, maybe.
Colder temps always make for slightly lower fuel economy. Oil is thicker, air is denser, fuel quality is lower....

I would say not to replace the airfilter till after the spring pollen season or you'll end up with a new, dirty filter.

B12Teuton · « **Reply #4 on:** March 15, 2005, 08:46:50 AM »

By the way, Landry, where the heck have you been??

Landry · « **Reply #5 on:** March 15, 2005, 10:20:35 AM »

I've been around. Another forum made me a mod (I know . . . they're totally mistaken) so I hang there quite a bit and make sure things run smoothly. I'm not really comfortable judging others, but it's only posts on a forum, so I manage.

Other forums lack the high caliber of membership that Bandit Alley has always had. We have freaks that sign up under multiple usernames and converse with themselves . . . sometimes as oppostie genders. Makes you wonder . . .

Good thought about the pollen clogging up the new filter. I'm not sure I can wait, though. Maybe I'll change it now, then pull it and clean it in May or so.

The air filter in there now has about 7,500 miles on it. I suspect that it's about time to change it.

PeteSC · « **Reply #6 on:** March 15, 2005, 10:55:16 AM »

Quote

We have freaks that sign up under multiple usernames and converse with themselves . . . sometimes as oppostie genders.

Gee, Landry, make sure you let us know when your current forum buddys show up on Jerry Springer!!!

Landry · « **Reply #7 on:** March 15, 2005, 11:31:55 AM »

If I could get them to sign a contract (with me as their manager) I would, trust me. Jerry Springer would most likley try to hire me as a talent scout. I bet I'd make more than I do now!!

00Bandit Rider · « **Reply #8 on:** March 19, 2005, 10:54:38 AM »

Got the same problem air filter has 37k on it that may be some of it
I think that the high gas prices make everything seem to burn more.

Old bandit
Bill Teller
Now 00Bandit Rider

Red01 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 21, 2005, 06:02:05 AM »

37K on the OEM air filter?

Buddy, it's LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG overdue for replacement!

tacoman · « **Reply #10 on:** March 22, 2005, 07:23:42 PM »

i've noticed that my B6's mileage drops in really cold weather. I'm with the filter idea. That website you're on is bizarre! People actually have multiple names and converse with themselves? Do they get in arguments? Maybe I should try this as some sort of therapy. I ran my boat motor the other day without turning on the hose (for cooling) and burned up my pickup impeller

I could log on and curse & ridicule myself!

Landry · « **Reply #11 on:** March 23, 2005, 02:02:06 PM »

'Sup tacoman? I say, go for it!!

Well, much to my surprise (NOT!!) I found that the rear brake is not releasing like it should. Bogus!!!!!!!!!!

Now, at the beginning of hte freaking riding season, I have to spend a Saturday morning re-building the damned caliper.

Is there anything else I can do? Can I pull the caliper, extend the pistons a tad, and hit 'em with some cleaner? I bet it's not that easy.

I went to Ron Ayers (who rock, BTW

) and searched their microfiche. THey list hte dust seals/piston seals as "discontinued." WTF?!?!?!? It's a 2002, how can it be discontinued?

Does anyone know of anywhere else that I can find these little buggers?

. . . and again, is there any alternative to re-building? I can do it, I just don't want to wast ethe tiem unless it is absolutely necessary.

I posted the same qusetion on max-'zuk but got no answers. Gee, the love must not be there. I guess you piss in enough Wheaties (by posting too many of your opinions) you get what's yours, eh?

[Scarface voice]Thassokaaay!! A couple of qualudes . . . <they'll> love me in the morn-in.[/Scarface voice]

Red01 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 23, 2005, 06:35:36 PM »

You'll need to compress the pistons into their bore in hopes of cleaning anything they may be hanging up on since most likely it's the bore that's hanging things up more than the pistons themselves.

Landry · « **Reply #13 on:** March 24, 2005, 11:01:34 AM »

Cool. Thanks, buddy.

I got some feedback from Max-'Zuki (someone must not know me there

) and I got some more from my dirt-biking buddy. They bnoth said to basically try and work it out, before re-building the caliper.

Friday morning wrench fest, here I come!!!

B6Matt · « **Reply #14 on:** March 24, 2005, 12:52:47 PM »

If you get into disassembly of the calipers, you may want to clean up the bores and pistons with some fine sandpaper. Just enough to take off any oxidation, etc.