Weird. I just got my radiator replaced brand new & now my car gets only 80mi to a half a tank around town which is about 10mi to the gallon. Prior to replacing my radiator I was getting 110 to half a tank. Of course I was having to fill the rad. up a lot. I had people tell me that that replacing the radiator has no effect on fuel consumption so what gives? Any idea why the RX is guzzling the fuel now? BTW it idles fine @ start up, I shift below 3500rpm & drove 60-65 all week to work. The only problem I can see is that the battery meter read 12 on my dash all the time. And since there's no check engine light what do I start replacing? I'd replace the O2 TSP, Pulsation dampner or whatever if I new this would improve it. Thanks in advance.

 

Maybe your temperature sensor became unplugged? Quadruple check all your wiring and make sensors. Make sure nothing is busted/missing.

 

You remember to reconnect the temp sensor that is mounted to the bottom of the radiator? Driver's side. ~rich

 

That sensor does not effect fuel consumption. It's only for the cold start.

Make sure that all the other sensors are connected though, especially the coolant temp sensor on the back of the water pump.

When the rad was replaced, did someone do something stupid like eliminate the thermostat? If the thermostat was removed and the bypass plugged, the car may never reach operating temperature and suck fuel because of it.

Any other changes made during the replacement?

 

All good ideas. I had this changed by a mechanic so I thought nothing of checking. But I guess it's a good idea just to make sure nothing is dangling or missing. As for the thermostat I'll check that too and nothing else was replaced so, it's perplexing to me. Well here I go. Thank you for the quick response.

 

Mechanics generally suck. You need to double check their work because they have no clue.