My 2004 Ford Explorer was getting about 14.2 miles per
gallon of gasoline. A few mechanics had checked things at the local lube shops.
The engine passed a smog check OK.
.
One day there was a puddle of coolant on the top side of
the engine. The thermostat housing was leaking. On closer inspection I saw that
the thermostat housing was made of plastic. So I got a metal thermostat housing.
While I was installing the new thermostat then I happened to touch this item.
.
The black rubber put a stain on my hand. This item is
called “PVC Breather Hose”. The PVC breather
hose was disintegrating. The hose, it turns out, was porous and leaking. A new
one costs more than twenty dollars. A foot or so, of 5/8” fuel hose costs less
than five dollars.
.
I had bent and twisted the new hose for a half hour
before cutting it to length and installing the hose. The result is every bit as
good as a fancy expensive hose. Also I have some extra 5/8” fuel hose to share
with my friends.
.
Getting back to the beginning, the truck is now achieving
16.8 miles per gallon of gasoline on the same driving cycle as before. That old
breather hose had been costing me money at the fuel pump, using about 108 extra
gallons of gasoline during the past 10,000 miles of driving, or about $300 to
$400.
fin