Help with lost power and MPG please!

tyzride · May 6th, 2008, 04:36 PM

2002 Saleen Mustang s281-sc, 18k miles, poor gas mileage and lost power. Used to get 17-18mpg now only getting 12mpg or so. What could it be? How much should a dealer charge to diagnose it? Thanks

HMUSN · May 6th, 2008, 04:43 PM

welcome to the forums.

try changing out your fuel filter.

and Check Engine lights?

tyzride · May 6th, 2008, 04:45 PM

The fuel filter was changed a couple months ago thinking that was it and it didn't help. There was one for a couple months but it went away.

HMUSN · May 6th, 2008, 04:46 PM

do you have a tuner ?

tyzride · May 6th, 2008, 04:47 PM

No. Its all stock.

HMUSN · May 6th, 2008, 04:49 PM

any symptoms? ( i need something to work with man..)

three things make a car run

air
fuel
spark

tyzride · May 6th, 2008, 04:51 PM

No real symptoms beside the lost mpg and the power. The plugs are 100k plugs but concerned because the car is 5 years old now. Not sure if thats what it is.

HMUSN · May 6th, 2008, 04:52 PM

well plugs are rather cheap and easy to replace. try it and see what happens..

tyzride · May 6th, 2008, 04:54 PM

Ok thanks. I got a quote from a saleen dealership to get them changed and they want 500 bucks. Also what else has to be changed when u do the plugs?

HMUSN · May 6th, 2008, 04:55 PM

nothing else.. are you seriously going to take the car to the stealership for something as simple as plugs?
you only need 2 or 3 simple tools to do it yourself.

tyzride · May 6th, 2008, 04:58 PM

I just don't want to do it myself and mess something up. Don't know alot about cars. Just basic stuff.

HMUSN · May 6th, 2008, 05:00 PM

here is an exact go by.
Ford Mustang: Mustang Tech: Maintenance and Tune Up: 99+ Sparkplug installation

it's damn simple.

HMUSN · May 6th, 2008, 05:07 PM

if you have any questions about it feel free to ask..

tyzride · May 6th, 2008, 05:10 PM

Looks fairly easy i just don't know about all the disconnecting of the throttle body, cables, tubes etc.

HMUSN · May 6th, 2008, 05:13 PM

don't worry about all that crap.. start at step 13

tyzride · May 6th, 2008, 05:19 PM

I checked Saleen.com to order the plugs but don't have any. Where is a good place to order some new plugs?

silvergtstang99 · May 6th, 2008, 05:20 PM

Do you have a friend that can show you how to change the plugs correctly?

And does the 500 bucks include a FULL tune-up?! even then that is
extremely high man dont pay that.

silvergtstang99 · May 6th, 2008, 05:21 PM

Your local parts store

Advanced or Autozone i guess. they're like 2 bucks a plug

tyzride · May 6th, 2008, 05:24 PM

Yeah a full tune up for around 500. I know how to change plugs just with this car don't wanna mess something up.

silvergtstang99 · May 6th, 2008, 05:29 PM

I hear ya man, its just like any other car. Except its got 8 spark plugs

When you go to the parts store get some anti-seize packs so you don't tear or pull everything out. And to be honest im not sure what the gap is supposed to be, i forget. Someone will chime in.

So from there all you need is:
1. 8 Spark Plugs
2. anti-seize
3. Tool for gapping the plugs

Oh 4. Ever heard of Seafoam?

May 6th, 2008, 04:36 PM	#1
tyzride Newbie Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 15	Help with lost power and MPG please! 2002 Saleen Mustang s281-sc, 18k miles, poor gas mileage and lost power. Used to get 17-18mpg now only getting 12mpg or so. What could it be? How much should a dealer charge to diagnose it? Thanks

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May 6th, 2008, 04:45 PM	#3
tyzride Newbie Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 15	The fuel filter was changed a couple months ago thinking that was it and it didn't help. There was one for a couple months but it went away.

May 6th, 2008, 04:47 PM	#5
tyzride Newbie Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 15	No. Its all stock.

May 6th, 2008, 04:51 PM	#7
tyzride Newbie Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 15	No real symptoms beside the lost mpg and the power. The plugs are 100k plugs but concerned because the car is 5 years old now. Not sure if thats what it is.

May 6th, 2008, 04:54 PM	#9
tyzride Newbie Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 15	Ok thanks. I got a quote from a saleen dealership to get them changed and they want 500 bucks. Also what else has to be changed when u do the plugs?

May 6th, 2008, 04:58 PM	#11
tyzride Newbie Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 15	I just don't want to do it myself and mess something up. Don't know alot about cars. Just basic stuff.

May 6th, 2008, 05:10 PM	#14
tyzride Newbie Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 15	Looks fairly easy i just don't know about all the disconnecting of the throttle body, cables, tubes etc.

May 6th, 2008, 05:19 PM	#16
tyzride Newbie Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 15	I checked Saleen.com to order the plugs but don't have any. Where is a good place to order some new plugs?

May 6th, 2008, 05:24 PM	#19
tyzride Newbie Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 15	Yeah a full tune up for around 500. I know how to change plugs just with this car don't wanna mess something up.

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