Poor mileage after timing belt change????? Options

[cardshark525]

I had my timing belt/waterpump changed last week and a new alternator put on as my old one was dying.

I was consistently getting in the neighborhood of 27-28 mpg and as high as 30 (on longer trips of 200+ miles on the highway).

Now that the old.... slacking... used parts have been changed... I'm having an issue that I realized as I filled up my car.

11.3 gallons for 263 miles. or... 23 mpg.... 23!!!

The only other time I have ever gotten such poor gas mileage out of my car was when I first got it, and was flooring it in every gear... thrilled with the joy of not only having a first car but having a FUN car to drive.

This is the second tank of gas now since the repairs that I've gotten sub 25 mpg and I do 90% highway driving.


Do any of you Celi Guru's have any clue what could have happened during the timing belt swap in the shop to account for this?

Is my timing off? Am I running insanely rich? Did a hose of some sort get unhooked?


In short.... what the hell is going on and how do I fix it?

This post has been edited by cardshark525: Nov 14, 2009 - 6:33 PM