1989 Ford Festiva Low MPG and No Heat

FORD FESTIVA
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FESTIVACRIS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
HI,

I've got an 1989 festiva 5 speed manual that I've been working on. It was only getting 25 MPG instead of the 40+ it is supposed to get. So I replaced the ...

Air filter
fuel filter
filled tires,
flushed radiator changed hoses

then discovered the thermostat was missing. It has run for over a year without a thermostat. So I put in a new one.

Now the car gets 31 MPG but still only heats up about 30 percent. I also don't get heat. The car blows air (not AC) strong, but no heater.

Any ideas on what might be ruining my MPG?

Thanks

Cris
Mar 23, 2007 at 4:20 AM
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MERLIN2021
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 17,250 POSTS
One of the most important sensors for MPG is the oxygen sensor. It may be getting lazy!
Mar 23, 2007 at 6:08 AM
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MY68MONTERAY
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
as for your heat problem, your thermostat may be in backwards or you have a vacuume leak, both would cause no heat in a festiva
Nov 22, 2008 at 2:20 PM

Suggested Repair

Check or replace a possibly lazy oxygen sensor for the low MPG. For no heat, verify the thermostat is installed in the correct direction and check for a vacuum leak.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1989 Ford Festiva manual reported about 25 MPG instead of the expected 40-plus, then 31 MPG after replacing the air and fuel filters, filling the tires, flushing the radiator, changing hoses, and installing a missing thermostat. The engine still only warms to about 30 percent and the heater blows air but produces no heat. Experts suggested a lazy oxygen sensor for the fuel economy issue, and a backward thermostat or vacuum leak for the lack of heat.

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