Decreased (lousy) MPG

[theclaytster]

I'm hoping somebody can help me out. Quick history...

Was getting less than normal MPG, by about 4 MPG
Engine light came on, changed plugs and wires, fixed issue
Still getting crappy MPG
Needed new brakes, changed those
Needed new tires, replaced those
Still getting crappy MPG
Decided to change Fuel Filter...its in tank, so no go on that
Oxygen sensor light came on after fill up of gas
Removed front Oxygen sensor, cleaned it
Light went off after a couple tanks of gas
After a couple tanks of gas, finally got normal MPG
On next fill up, back to same of lousy MPG

Ordering new PCV today.
Going to clean second Oxygen sensor this weekend.

Does anybody have any other ideas as to why I'm not getting the normal 26MPG...I currently get 20-21MPG.

Car runs smooth, no hesitation, stalling, nothing. 72,000 miles

[Canadiansailor]

I'm having a similar problem, how did you clean the O2 Sensors?

[theclaytster]

There is a tool you can get to do this. Around here, Autozone rents them out. Its a 22mm rachet attachment. Using that, you take the O2 sensor out, and dunk it in some stuff called Sea Foam, which is basically some sort of alcohol solution. It desolves the carbon away. Any stuff left over, they told me just to dump into my tank and let it eat the carbon in the system.

[Canadiansailor]

Thanks, I'll give that a try. I'm just not too sure if I have to take the heat shield off or not to get at them, but I'll figure it out

[theclaytster]

No, you don't have to remove it...we did because we were trying to use a wrench...the socket has a slit on the side to allow it to slide over the wires. If you try to take the heat shield off, then you will have to remove the left fan as well as loosen the oil dip-stick bolt and then forcefully bend things around...not fun.

[Canadiansailor]

Sounds like it. I guess I'll go around doing all that. As for your gas milage problem, have you tried Seafoam?