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FordMafia

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1200 MILE UPDATE:

Everything is still working and running right thankfully
Just had an oil change done and no metal glitter in the drained oil! Oil filter was good too. I was able to walk under the vehicle and take a good look at the undercarriage in a well lit environment vs laying down and using daylight and my phone flashlight and didn't see anything strange.

Original MPG ~ 17
Current MPG ~ 16
Before MAF cleaning MPG ~ 15

I was waiting a while for my MPG to return to normal but it never did. I had about 2 MPG decrease from before. At 700 miles I figured it could be from the MAF getting dirty/dusty bc it was open to air the entire time I did the timing job even though I shoved a towel in there. After cleaning the MAF and then unplugging the battery to reset the MPG reader I got to a 1 MPG decrease from before. Best to just clean MAF when reassembling initially imo.
I thought maybe I damaged my brake booster vacuum lines while doing the timing but after some youtube diagnostic help videos I've ruled that out - no hissing when pressing brakes, pumping brakes while vehicle off until stiff and holding and then starting and brake pedal depresses bc of vehicle supplied vacuum - it is possible I missed something so let me know

My current MPG theories:

1. The aftermarket DAYCO harmonic balancer I used is not the same weight as OEM and is causing this issue
- I wouldn't mind if it is this because then there's nothing actually wrong and nothing to worry about
- I couldn't find reliable specs for the OEM weight or the DAYCO weight
- I also didn't think to compare weights when I had both out and also I didn't even really know about how changing the weight/size of crank pulley can affect MPG and HP until recently

2. It's my ignition coils starting to go bad
- Unfortunately I have aftermarket ones from about 2 years ago and did not see the FTM video explaining that they almost never go bad and will need a boot replace/repair if anything
- No misfires or codes or other noticeable shenanigans but what if they're only just having minor performance decrease caused by me pulling them out and putting them back in
- I did clean/examine them while out but didn't see anything out of the ordinary to my DIY eyes

3 Something with my new BOSCH fuel injectors?
- They're seated right as best as I can tell
- No gas smell from engine bay
- All the right values in FORSCAN
- They're real and I verified each one with the BOSCH verification site
- They did seem pretty 1:1 with OEM but maybe they're not and this is just how things will be with them from now on?
- I don't think this is likely but listing all the same because it's possible

4. Nothing is wrong with anything and it's a mix of colder weather and not driving enough to get a more consistent mpg value

Any help or advice on this would be appreciated
 

914rrr

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I din't see what the fault was that was causing the ticking noise. Did I miss something?
I became acquainted with ticking rocker follower issues with our 2014 Dodge Grand Caravan. UGH!
 
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