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
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