different engine, same mpg *UPDATE* 4/5

[eyezpinned]

my woes are well documented on this site, and most of my problems have been resolved. However, my MAJOR issue has been my dismal 16 mpg. i tried a lot on my old engine: o2 sensor, thermo sensors, NEW injectors, plugs, wires, cap & rotor, fuel filter, air filter, air leak test, no exhaust leak, beefed up my grounds, different air flow meter, timing set by the book... blah blah blah
so anyways that engine went (pouring oil, rod knock) and i throw another b6 sohc engine in (was gonna try the bp, but i drive w/ hand controls... transmission... has to be automatic... no definite answers...blah blah blah) i drop in an engine w/ 98k the old one had 152k, swapped over all my new stuff except for the thermo sensors, and here's the kicker: SAME GAS MILEAGE! like exact same mpg. this engine isnt dripping any oil like the old engine, (do have some seeping from oil pan, but never a drop on the ground) the car idles 10 times better than with my old engine... no engine light... no flashing engine light in diag mode... i keep thinking maybe all the oil that was pouring out of the valve cover may have corrupted my plugs... but they look ok. I MEAN DO I NOT KNOW HOW TO DRIVE OR SOMETHING?! what's left? ecu? maybe i didn't reset it right? maybe it's bad? any help...

[Aston Wards]

all i can suggest is to hook-up an A/F ratio gauge, see what it turns up

[eyezpinned]

i ran a bunch of diagnostics to see what was going on. fuel system & ignition system all checked out. as i was checking tire pressure i started to poke around and found that my emergency brake was dragging. i reset it, lubed it, etc. i immediately noticed a difference in acceleration. also, while cruising, i hardly have to feed her any gas to keep her up to speed where as before i'd practically have to floor it. after filling up i'm getting almost 30 miles more than i usually get on the first 1/4 tank. ill post final mpg when i fill up again at the end of the week.

[fowljesse]

Congrats on the discovery. Inefficiency is a pet peeve of mine. For more fuel efficiency tips, check out http://www.gassavers.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[PushnFords]

My old Dodge truck did the same thing. The parking brake was rusted and stayed on just enough to put pressure on the front shoe in the rear. Good thing you finally found it!

Derek