1997 F250 7.3 MPG Dropping????

[Humt1271]

I've recently been having problems with the MPG in my 7.3 dropping in the past couple months. Its a bone stock 1997 F250 4x4 regular cab long box with 4.10 gears. I have owned it for about 3 years and have consistently achieved an average of 17mpg with a mix of city/highway. (unloaded) I'm normally easy on it and dont let it shift past 2000rpm too often. About a month ago my mileage dropped to about 12mpg. I changed the fuel filter which looked ****ty and I just checked today and my mileage went up to 14mpg but I'm still looking for my usual 17mpg since my driving habits havent changed. The airfilter was replaced last year with a high performance filter and is in good shape. I know winter mpg is expected to drop but Ive never experienced this kind of a drop since ive owned it. At the moment I'm thinking something is either restricted/plugged/ or needs to be cleaned but I'm running out of ideas of what it could be. Any thoughts? Thanks!
-Nick

[nine6stroker]

How many miles are on it? I know worn injectors can decreased fuel mileage duel to poor fuel atomization.

[atvrider93]

what did the fuel filter look like when you pulled it?
which air filter did you put in?

[Humt1271]

It has 110,000 original miles with no major repairs. I installed a Kool Blue air filter that I bought off of ebay about a year ago.
Thanks

[backwoodsboy]

Checked your EBPS and tube for restrictions? You'll lose a couple mpg's if your EBPS is faulty or the tube is plugged.

[Humt1271]

I was just reading up on that and plan on taking it apart sometime this week to see if thats it. I'll let you know how I make out.
thanks

[atvrider93]

I'm not sure how much I would trust that air filter. have your MPGs been going down since you installed it or did it start before that? also check your FPR screen, clean that. what color what the fuel filter when you changed it?

[351fifty]

any other mods to it? mite need to clean your filter as well, it it an intake or some form of drop in filter?

[bkhall]

Check the 2 screens on your FPR, I went from 19-20, to 14-15. I cleaned the 2 screens, and replaced the filter, and I am on a trip now and on the way here I got 19. Fixin to head back home hope fully it will be the same.

[atvrider93]

two screens?