my 2002 ford zx2 is burning gas like a gt mustang

[stealth02zx2]

I've had this car since is was brand new and i always got between 35-38 mpg since the day it came off the lot and just about a month ago the thermostat went bad and the same week my gas miliage droped from about 38 mpg to 24 mpg. I changed the thermostat hoping that would fix it but im still getting 24 mpg.... what should i try????? The car is a 2002 ford zx2 2.0 lt. dohc 4 cyl with vct. and it is a 5spd.......THANKS

[firstwindstar02]

make sure you put the thermostat back together right. If it is leaking cause you put the rubber seal in backwards then it will rob your engine of a lot of things.. coolant included.''

Have someone rev the engine in park and see if coolant is coming out at the throttle body seal.

[stealth02zx2]

It is not leaking anywhere..... One thing i noticed is the top radiator hose is full of antifreeze as if its not going into the radiator... there is alot of pressure to it if i squeeze it....so its comming out of the engine but get stuck in the hose for some reason..... is there too much antifreeze in my radiator????

[jonmark1985]

When was last time you had a tune-up?