My gas mileage was suffering... getting only about 160-170 miles before my gas light goes on... I use to be able to get about 180...

So I decided to change back to the recommended dual electrode spark plugs... Ended up replacing the 12k miles Denso Iridiums that I had on there and slapped some NGK standard plugs... When I asked two different guys from Autozone, they said the NGK's didn't need to be gapped because they were dual electrodes... So I did a search and came up with people mentioning to gap them... Then I found a post from member dwa in regards to an email sent to NGK which recommended not to gap the NGK dual electrodes... https://www.yotatech.com/forums/show...9&postcount=23
here are pics of the NGK by the way.

So... anyone know the verdict on this? I installed without happing already, just curious to every one else's opinion on this???

Anyways... I cleaned my MAF sensor and throttle body the same time I slapped the Denso's in, approx 12k miles ago... Well... I checked the MAF and throttle body and they were dirty as hell already... Cleaned them up as again... Now I am wondering how often I should clean the TB and MAF sensor? Should I be cleaning these suckers more frequently? every 6k miles???

 

You shouldn't have to clean your MAF and TB so often. Do you have a K&N filter or something like that? Anyway, here's a link on how to clean your MAF:

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/mainte...tenancep5.html

I get about 260 before my gas light comes on and that's with a heavy @$$ brush guard up front too.

 

Hmmmm... Yeah I have the K&N... Guess it's coming off now...

 

I plan on cleaning mine about once a year or every 10k. Depending on where you live and how much you wheel, you might wanna clean 'em more often.

You shouldn't have to gap the plugs. I don't and i've never had problems with either of my vehicles.

Yeah, please get rid of that k&n. Try a TrueFlow filter... "stops dirt, not air"

I'm getting 320~ miles per tank with 265/65r17 tires.

 

did you regear for your tires..... i only get 250-260 miles a tank with my 4runner

 

Is that the corrected milage or?

On the odometer, the gas light comes on @ 200 mi... but, corrected I am getting about 240 mi...

btw -- hopefully not another milage thread. What gear ratio you have?

 

not regeared yet... still stock 4.10's... Don't really care about the MPG thing much as I am use to my crappy mileage... this is before correcting...

Main concern is the dirty MAF sensor and tb so quickly... I just picked up an OE filter from the dealer... I know the K&N will dirty it up but that quick??? I am beginning to question leaving the deckplate open...

Oh well...

Thanks for the help guys.

 

The key to running a K&N filter is not to over-oil it. I have no problems w/ my MAF or TB and have been running a K&N for about 6months and 6-8K miles.

 

I too have the FIPK and have experienced no problems with excessive fouling, the key is to lightly oil it then about 20min later touch up the white spots, indicating low oil concentrations. Anymore and it's too saturated. Just follow the directions. I clean my MAF everytime I service my filter...about 10-15,000 miles. I've run it for 40,000 miles! I've heard different things about the plug gapping, lets get a definitive answer.

 

Regarding gapping the plugs. I never gapped the first change of plugs and this time (yesterday) I did. I got the Denso plugs (dual) from Maui Toyota and gapped them per Haynes manual specs, 0.044". I haven't noticed much difference yet since I really didn't put any miles in.

 

thanks again guys... as far as the oiling goes, I may be under oiling it... When I applied it, I stopped when it showed just a slight red tint... Could this have been the problem? Well it's off and the factory one is on right now...

 

If you do clean your sensor go through the trouble and buy the "emissions" kit sold by Berryman's. It's a three step kit, one bottle is a maf cleaner, another connects into your pcv valve and is sucked out by your trucks vaccum, and the last bottle just gets dumped into your gas tank. This stuff WORKS. just make sure you do this outside with good ventilation because nothing in my life has ever smelled so nasty....your truck will run better.

 

That stuff sounds like SeaFoam if you ask me....

 

I second that also... Sounds just like SeaFoam... I have a bottle in my garage right now... Was going to use it for my outboard.

Just curious, how much is that berryman product? SeaFoam is $6 for the bottle.

 

"thanks again guys... as far as the oiling goes, I may be under oiling it... When I applied it, I stopped when it showed just a slight red tint... Could this have been the problem? Well it's off and the factory one is on right now..."

No I doubt under-oiling it is the problem. I get mine good and red, on the top layer of gauze and if you look on the inside it's a deep pink. If there is oil suspended between the metal screen you've gone too far. Just blot it with paper towel, I also like to let mine sit about an hour after the final oiling to make sure there's no "free oil".

 

I had a similar problem. Poor mileage, along with poor perfromance and a stinky exhaust.

I replaced the MAF and both oxygen sensors and it was as if I had installed a new engine. Now I get between 260 and 275 per tank at 191,000 miles.

'99 Limited.

 

My exhaust smells great though... well not great but it doesn't stink... Bad egg smell could be the cat itself no? I already got a new precat 02 sensor... Don't think this is the same problem as mine... but thanks for the info...

 

I was able to get 20 mpg about 10,000 miles ago at 115,000, but now its closer to 18 and 340ish miles per tank instead of 400 miles. I think its time to replace the oxygen sensor but im not sure if both need to be replaced at the same time, also if anyone has a good place to find cheap sensors let me know, because the cheapest i have found so far was $85.

 

Have you tried urdusa.com yet?

 

I have heard both sides of the gapping arguement, but when I install my plugs I never do more than a visual inspection. The gap is also only going to get larger so if it measures 0.041" out of the box and it was supposed to be 0.044" per the manual.....it really ain't a big deal and no, you won't see any difference at all either way. I still say visual inspection only and just install them straight out of the box.