Poor gas mileage and trouble towing camper

Tiny
SUV49
  • MEMBER
  • GMC C1500
GMC Suburban K1500, 1999, 115000 miles, 5.7L engine, 4WD.

July after about 1-1/2 hours of towing camper struggled to pull camper up hills. Had someone else tow camper home and had it checked out by mechanic who said all cylinders were firing and said fuel pressure low he changed fuel filter and fuel pressure checked good (noticeable difference in power). Went on shorter trip with camper seemed to pull fine. More recently went on trip over Labor Day and pulled up hills for over 2 hours seemed to pull OK. After weekend towing camper back home after 1-1/2 hours of towing it struggled to pull camper not wanting to shift pulling up hilll even when gas pedal pushed to floor. Began to struggle even on straight aways. RPM's would jump (spike) from 2000 to 4000 not gradually.

Currently getting about 10 mpg not pulling and 8 mpg towing camper.

Within last several months had Ammoco check transmission they told me transmission was fine. I'm not sure how well they checked but they recommended having rear replaced due to noise. Replaced u-joints, rear, fuel filter, brakes front and back, have been replaced within last few months. Plugs, wires, and distributor replaced within the last year.
Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Tuesday, September 4th, 2007 AT 8:47 PM

2 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
A good place to start is doing a backpressure test on the exhaust system and a fuel pressure check. Also a check on the Throttle position/MAP or MAF sensor and EGR.
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Wednesday, September 5th, 2007 AT 3:32 AM
Tiny
DANIMALGMC
  • MEMBER
  • 33 POSTS
Definitely check the backpressure. It sounds like the CAT is starting to clog.
Also, if you use any alcohol in your fuel (E-85, E-10 or even cleaners), alcohol will clean you fuel system from front to back.
It will clog the fuel filter until the fuel lines are clean.
Also, you will get about 20% worse mileage from alcohol then form gasoline.

I think rasmataz has the correct start to troubleshooting this problem.

Good Luck
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Wednesday, September 5th, 2007 AT 3:21 PM

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