Just checked the electric pump that the guy put on it before i got it and it rated for 5 to 9 psi and the stock pressure from the machanical one
is supposed to be 2.5 to 3.75 psi so that might explain burning so much gas.
Yup that may be it. I've run 7 for a short time with no big problems, but 9 would give ya some. I try to run from 3-5 psi.