2004 Dodge Intrepid Gas miliage out of Control

SYNN

MEMBER
2004 DODGE INTREPID
6 CYL
AWD
AUTOMATIC
91,198 MILES

My 2004 Dodge Intrepid is burning gas at a very high rate. I put in half a tank of gas, and by the miliage I wrote down and notes on when the needle moved, its getting anywhere from 3 to 5 miles to the gallon. Every day I have to put more gas in it. A mechanic I took it to said it needed a regulator in the gas tank. It might be stuck. I just put in a new alternator and I don't have the money for the regulator and labor, which is 100 an hour. If I can do something myself at home, that would be a blessing. It is up to date on oil change, and tranny change. It had been doing this for about 4 mos. But not as bad as this. I would appreciate any advice on this. My husband was a mechanic with 25 years experience, and he would have known what to do. He recently passed away and I feel I am being taken advantage of at all these garages. Thank you for your time.

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

First, I'm very sorry to hear about your husband. I hope all is well with you.

Next, a regulator won't cause this to happen, so don't spend anything on that. If the fuel pressure regulator was bad, you would either have low pressure (would not run) or too high (black smoke from exhaust or flooding problem). Regardless, the regulator allows excess fuel to return to the tank. Thus, the fuel isn't burned and wouldn't affect the MPG.

Is the engine running good? Does it have the same power it always had? Has the check engine light ever come on?

Let me know.
Joe