[dordtrecht5]

I just got home from a 1410 mile trip. I drove home from Stamford, CT. It was a good trip, but encountered some problems on my way.

The first problem that I encountered was "check engine" light while I was sitting in the truck eating a sandwich. I do not have a tuner on my truck yet, and it was about 8p.m. so I really had no choice but to continue on. I filled up with fuel and noticed that my mpg had dropped from 20.7 down to little over 19.

I chose to take it easier, dropping my speed from 70 to 65. I filled again and my mileage dropped again to abut 15. At this point I am becoming concerned.

I drove for another 200 miles to see what the mileage would be again. Filled up with fuel and noticed no big change so I decided to contact a local dealership. I asked if they could check the diagnostic code..."yes, we would be happy to." LOL

I take it in, checking p0401 and p0404 is what it checked. The tech said that he would clear those, saying that they are EGR and it really had nothing to do with mileage. However, he did say that the fuel filter needed changed, evidently it was pulling only 6 inches of vacuum and should be pulling 9 inches.

Guess what the cost was? 135 bucks. Wow!! And I had just read several threads in here about that very thing. Though, stupid me, I kept thinking, "I just got this truck, it won't have any problems. I don't need to pack a fuel filter."

So, anyway, on I went. I got home safe and sound. I have been away from the house for a little while and am spending time playing with my little ones and their mom.

I filled up tonight because I was anxious to see what kinda mileage I would be getting with the new fuel filter installed. To my dismay, it is about 19. I figured it would be higher than that. I am kinda puzzled at the whole situation because when I first got the truck and put a few hundred on it, it checked in at 20.some-odd MPG.

I just looked at the pictures of the soot build up at This is why you block your EGR
This is first on the list for sure. It may not help with mpg, but just looking at the pics are evidence enough. BTW, I looked at my oil levels as well tonight. The oil looks like it has been sitting in the engine a while: plenty black and not very viscous.

Does anyone have any suggestions on mileage. Or am I dreaming. Shouldn't I be doing better on mileage?