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Post by dillpics on May 11, 2011 1:56:19 GMT -5
I am new here and drive a 99 ms xls 3.0 4x4 and would like to gather all the info I can about mods to improve my mpg! My 99 has 274, 635 miles on it now and has always been perfect to me, I have not had to replace much at all on it. I was hoping on buying a used transmission and getting it rebuilt or getting a shift kit with converter. I was also hoping to find a used engine to rebuild and blueprint and do any modes to in prove mpg. My ms has no tranny problems now but I'm sure with a fresh engine will start having problems. Every once in a while one of my hubs makes a weird sound like putting a auto trans in park while moving ( the grinding with the sudden clunk when you stop moving). My check engine light is on and has been for years always something to do with the cat. I only have one code on atm dealing with the cat not warming up right during start up( any suggestions would be apreactated). My engine leaks oil (and burns oil) and I know the valve covers leak and I know oil leaks onto the spark plugs but was thinking I should not fix these leaks because if its due to blowby closing the engine up could only make another seal go. Let me know what you guys think I should do and yes I now realize I should of done a compression test when I replaced the plugs and wires at 270000. But I was in a rush as this is my only car. I was hoping to put in the fresh tranny and engine at 300,000 and see how far she can go. This is by far the best suv/car I have ever owned and as you can tell I love driving it. I don't care what money I have to put in it because like I said it has not needed much so I'm sure if I freshen it up it would be well worth it in the long run. Thanks for the help and let me know what you think. Dillon
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Post by snowaddict91 on May 11, 2011 13:06:05 GMT -5
Honestly, I don't think i'd spend the money for an engine and tranny on a car with that many miles on it...I love my montero too but putting that much money into a vehicle that will still have almost 300K on the body, suspension, frame, and all the other moving parts just wouldn't be worth it to me
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Post by ocmonteroguy on May 11, 2011 13:26:09 GMT -5
I agree with Dillpics, I have a 94 full size montero and its on its 2nd replacement engine and stock tranny at almost 340000 miles. other than the engine being replaced I have only had an issue with a mechanic F'ing up my fuel pump. and now my stock shocks are gone. other than that its still in good condition, considering i use it to tear up the mountains in Colorado. I am currently running a 98 MS and havent had any problems with it, other than the previous owner had a cheap chinese after market alarm put in and messed up some electrical. Just normal wear and tear and the replacement seals. couldnt be happier. I say, put the money into it and you get it all back with dependability from a fantastic car.
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Post by snowaddict91 on May 11, 2011 14:12:18 GMT -5
Yeah, I get what you're saying, i guess i'm curious as to where dillpics is located because if he's in the midwest or somewhere else with lots of rust it definitely wouldn't be worth it...my truck spent its first 130k in ohio and has rust all over the place lol
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Post by dillpics on May 11, 2011 14:19:40 GMT -5
The way I look at is I already have this ms and have not really put money in it through the years. I could spend a few grand on this suv I already know and runs every day without a problem or I could roll the dice and buy a newer ms with less miles for 4 to 6 grand and hope and pray its half the suv this one is. I prefer the ms I know and can count on over a newer one that could be a pos. Just my own opion and I might not put a engine in to and see how far it takes me. Yes the body is starting to rust very minor and yes the frame has some rust but so does the 05 f350 I drive. I know the older it gets the more work it will take but to me 12 plus years of just doing normal maintance has been a blessing and I don't want to pay a few grand to buy a suv that have problems from day one. Dillon
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Post by dillpics on May 11, 2011 14:22:52 GMT -5
The truck spent the first 5 years in nyc and the rest here in PA and I now live in harrisburg.
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Post by ocmonteroguy on May 11, 2011 14:43:20 GMT -5
as long as the rust is minor you can grind it out and then use some rust converter and some paint, no problem. But i agree with you on spending money on a SUV you know is worth it, rather than buy a newer one and have problems with it
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Post by LimitedOThree on May 12, 2011 10:16:04 GMT -5
to your original topic of increasing the MPG, i really think you are not going to get much of anything out of it. i have tried all the easy stuff, cold air intake, synthetics, highway tires vs ATs, high-flow exhaust. i have gotten 0 increase. really, 0. maybe if you get a new tranny, put in taller gears. it'll dog, but you have to pay the price someplace. i've always thought lowering the thing or a deep front air dam would make a difference. it's just a big heavy square. and 4x4 doesn't help either. keep the truck.
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Post by dillpics on May 12, 2011 22:15:47 GMT -5
Really 0 gain, that's amazing I figured you would get 1 to 3 with all that done. Well I'm glad I did not spend any mone on it then because doing all that with no gain would make me more then mad. Thanks for your input and trust me I plan on keeping it unless I sell it to a very good friend who knows its life history and knows how good it is.
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Post by ocmonteroguy on May 13, 2011 14:21:27 GMT -5
I put a short ram intake on and i got between 3 and 5 extra mpg and if nothing else it sounds and looks cooler. Just dont cheap out on a filter, i bought a spectre brand, it has already started falling apart. run some seafoam through your MS, that plus the short ram gave me some extra MPG
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Post by dillpics on May 14, 2011 18:45:21 GMT -5
Do you have a 3.0
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Post by bdmontero on May 14, 2011 23:59:07 GMT -5
I have a 3.0 and take EXTREMELY good care of it. I have a short ram intake and synthetics in all gears and see a 3-5 mpg increase max. Soon to be going back to a stock box for a snorkel!
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Post by ocmonteroguy on May 15, 2011 18:32:45 GMT -5
Yeah I have a 3.0, with a 'custom' air intake, I took my box off and then bought the MAF adapter plate from Oreileys and ordered a K&N cone filter.
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Post by ocmonteroguy on May 15, 2011 18:33:37 GMT -5
I also noticed a nice step up in MPH after running seafoam through my gas tank. Doesnt feel so sluggish anymore.
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Post by ocmonteroguy on Aug 21, 2011 11:49:33 GMT -5
ALSO, swap out you PCV valve, havent noticed any gain in MPG's but the MS sure runs smoother
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