Was my engine re-programmed?

[joecal]

I have a 2003 Ram 1500 with the 4.7 engine and the check engine light is on. It's showing a P0172 code and I've changed the O2 sensors and a few others but it's still on and the gas mileage is terrible, it's between 7 and 8 mpg. I bought the truck a few months ago, I like it aside from the CEL and the fuel economy. I think the engine was re-programmed because there's a partial sticker on the rear window the says something chips but I can't make out the lettering in front of it. Is there any way to tell if it was re-programmed and if so how? I'm wondering if this could be the problem. It also has a K&N cold air intake installed and I read somewhere not to use those. I bought it from a used car lot, so he doesn't have any previous information on it. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[MarshRam]

Superchips. But, it would not drown the mpg that much. Chances are if it is installed and you removed it, you might get .5 mpg or so less, that was about the mpg gain I experienced in my 07 4.7L with a Superchips programmer.

Not sure how you tell if it has the programmer installed without actually having the programmer.

Hopefully someone has some answers. If it is installed, you really want to know what options they installed with the programmer as it relates to the octane tune, need to make sure you are running the right octane for the tune installed.

 

[ST-8]

Even if it had a superchips tune on it that shouldn’t be your problem, only problem with it having a tune that I’d be worried is if it’s on a 91 tune an hour running 87 or 89. But if that was the case I’m sure that 4.7 would be knock knock knocking on heavens door

 

[Marley]

Lol.
You can purchase a Superchips tuner and un-tune your truck via their help desk.
And the tuner itself won't engage your vin if it's been tuned.

The other issue is, the PO lost the use of his/her tuner if they didn't return truck to stock tune....it's locked.

K&N filters get people's panties in a bunch cause they let a few more particles get in....change your oil every 5k and forget about it.
Many run CAI'S on Hemi's.

And does your truck have stock tires?
If not and speedo hasn't been recalibrated, throws everything off.

 

[JohnnyMac]

If the previous owner got overzealous with oiling the air filter, you MAF could be dirty/inoperative. Since you've changed the sensors, the MAF would be my next guess. Could also be a faulty injector or fuel regulator but something is causing a super rich condition and that's why it runs bad and is sucking fuel.

 

[Krein]

Check the tubing on the cold air intake for a small hole. That alone can cause the lean issue and depending how long the check engine light was on and running lean while kill your cats. I had this issue with my previous 07 ram. Before replacing the MAF remove it and give it a good cleaning.

 

[Jason G Slabaugh]

How are you figuring your mpg numbers?