lost half my mpg after new fuel pump

[Dustin]

My wife has a 2002 chevy cavalier and the fuel pump went bad in it about a month ago(did fuel filter at the same time). I replaced it and it and now we are getting about 170 miles on a full tank of gas and before we were getting about 300. the average mpg we are at now is about 12. I have checked for leaks and have noticed nothing on the ground after driving and I can’t see any evidence of leaking when looking under the car. Just did an oil change and replaced the air filter and it is still getting bad mpg.

the spark plugs are not that old and don’t look too bad. although when the fuel pump first went out and the first thing I went to do is check for spark, well it seems as though the first spark plug I tried somehow got cross threaded and I cannot get it out now but I was able to put it back down with no problem so I’m not sure if this is something that could effect it or if that’s just another problem on its own. And the only other thing that was messed with when it broke down was the intake to the throttle body was taken off as we were trying to find where to test the fuel pressure so maybe I put something back together wrong and I’m getting a vacuum leak?

overall the car seems to run as it always has but its just taking a lot more fuel, doesn’t misfire as we had that problem with it awhile back and it was a spark plug.

thank you for any help I appreciate it very much.

Topic

[EricTheCarGuy]

Thanks for the update. As I said it could also be that the arm for the sender got bent which could give false readings. It’s difficult to tell where the correct location is if I’m honest. Perhaps if you had another one to look at to compare it to. All that aside I’m sure you’re not of a mind to go back in there anytime soon. Keep us posted if that changes.

[college man]

thanks for the update.

[Author]

Replies