How to reduce costs?

Post by **cubensis** » 26 Jan 2011, 22:13

So i know the stuff like removing unnecessary weight, pumping up tyres, driving/braking moderately etc. What i was wondering is ignoring the options of LPG conversion or changing the engine are there any ~£100 mods that can be done to the engine that can improve economy?

Its starting to get very pricey running these vehicles now, to the extent that were starting to limit our actual travel distance. We have had a new carb out of necessity. But it still drinks petrol very quick!

Any tips on what you do would or engine tweaks you'd recommend would be great.

Post by **BOXY** » 26 Jan 2011, 23:19

I think whatever tips people suggest you're not going to get more than a couple more MPG unless you've got a problem that's really effecting the economy to start with. I've used Slick 50 on motorbike engines but never really noticed a difference. My van has got some sort of magnetic fuel conditioners on the fuel lines fitted by a previous owner but it still only does between 17-22 MPG depending on how its driven.

If your engine is healthy, the timing is spot on and fuel / air is right there's not much else you can do for 100 quid to make the engine more efficient. You could try to reduce rolling resistance. The right tyre pressures, non-binding brakes and good wheel bearings might make a marginal difference to economy.

The only guaranteed way to halve you fuel usage is to take out AA Relay cover. Drive to wherever you're camping,"manufacture" a non-repairable fault when it's time to come home and get trailered back.

Post by **cubensis** » 26 Jan 2011, 23:24

I like the AA tip!

Yea i thought the answer you gave was pretty much the only way, thanks for the answer though. I suppose like you say you can just do a lot of little things that cumulatively save 1mpg here n there. Think we get around the 22 mark ourselves.

Wouldn't it be an interesting/good idea to start a poll on engines MPG from everyone on here

Post by **BOXY** » 26 Jan 2011, 23:28

I think this was the latest one?

viewtopic.php?f=42&t=75042

Post by **cubensis** » 26 Jan 2011, 23:39

Cheers!

Post by **AdrianC** » 27 Jan 2011, 07:38

BOXY wrote:I think whatever tips people suggest you're not going to get more than a couple more MPG unless you've got a problem that's really effecting the economy to start with.

Agreed.

I've used Slick 50 on motorbike engines but never really noticed a difference. My van has got some sort of magnetic fuel conditioners on the fuel lines fitted by a previous owner

There are so many of those kind of snake-oil products. The best way to save money with them is to just ignore them completely. Whether the weight saving of removing them will improve economy is probably debatable, though.

Post by **DarkPoet** » 27 Jan 2011, 07:41

BOXY wrote:The only guaranteed way to halve you fuel usage is to take out AA Relay cover. Drive to wherever you're camping,"manufacture" a non-repairable fault when it's time to come home and get trailered back.

did this a couple of times years ago when an impoverished student. That old Dolomite never ran as economically as it did then

Post by **Cruz** » 27 Jan 2011, 12:06

I know you are ignoring it for now but save your pennies and get in converted to LPG. It will soon be the only way to run a petrol camper as petrol is only going one way fast!!

Check this LPG caluclator out. It's set for a T25 camper. Just change the annual mileage and it will tell you how long it will take to pay for itself and then how much you will save a year

http://www.gasure.co.uk/4steve.html

When I converted mine it took a year to break even and now I'm saving over £1k a year based on 8k annual miles

Basically as LPG is half the price of petrol I am roughly getting 34mpg

Post by **bmouthboyo** » 01 Feb 2011, 19:24

Can you fit LPG to any engine? I ask as my T25 has a Golf Mk1 K jet engine in it

Cheers

Post by **Ian Hulley** » 01 Feb 2011, 19:34

AdrianC wrote: Whether the weight saving of removing them will improve economy is probably debatable, though.

Makes no difference, same as the tintop/poptop/hightop debate. Once rolling they all do the same ... ~18mpg on lpg ~22mpg on petrol. Stop,start,stop kills mpg anyway.

A stripped out tintop with good engine may do more .... our's made no difference what so ever on petrol though. Save your energy, keep your stuff in the van, keep water and petrol in the tanks, food in the cupboards and enjoy having a camper ... life's too short ffs.

Ian

Post by **billy739** » 05 Feb 2011, 10:08

when i had my standard hightop it was doing 27 mpg constantly - 2 adults , 2 children and fully loaded or empty with 1 person! - 4 speed 1.9 dg

dont go above 60mph , dont stress the engine , learn how it wants to drive- no full throttle up hills ect.

check your gearbox code make sure its ok and good for the van.

i put 195 80 14 tyres on the rear to slightly up the gearing

and the engine was all correctly set co%, timing as per manufacturer ect

what is your co% set at? - you should know if your aiming for good mpg

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