better mpg

Post by **Gavvan** » 04 Aug 2007, 20:09

i have had awful mpg for a few months now so i dug out the pages left by steve and went through the reset section and what a difference !!! from 140 miles /per tank (53 lt torridal) to 254 miles and 222 miles .some motorway in first tank all local roads for the second .cheers gav

Post by **big red bus** » 05 Aug 2007, 21:27

hello sorry to ask but what have you done to your van to get better mpg. only asking because I only get 180 miles to a full tank driving very steadily on the motorway. costing me a small fortune to run my van so any improvements are very welcome. cheers.

Post by **toomanytoys** » 06 Aug 2007, 09:59

Firstly how many L does your tank hold....???

I used to get 350 miles out of my tank... but it did hold 76L......

Also you have to be very carefull not to run it too lean... as this will burn a piston or valve out...
Worth checking that the valve adjustment (yes even on a hydraulic valved engine) is correct.. there should be only 1/4 to 1/2 turn of preload, NOT the 2 turns as stated in the Haynes and early VW manuals...

A slight advance on the ignition timing also helps, but again you have to be carefull how far and then you have to balance that against running on petrol..

Post by **big red bus** » 06 Aug 2007, 19:43

I would say that my tank holds 50 ltr aprox because from empty it takes £45 to fill. I work out that is about 18-20 mpg. I would think that I sholud get more than that because I drive really steady and especially on the motorway. I have checked that the valve clearances are within and they are good, emissions co is 1.0%, so no probs here and timing is spot on and I have regularly serviced it.

Post by **Gavvan** » 06 Aug 2007, 20:03

hi , i think we may have got our wires crossed . my van mileage is on lpg not petrol which i assume from your £45 per tank .i have filled up today for £18.60 for 49 lts . The best way to save money with these vans is lpg conversion . i covered the cost after 6k.
cheers gav

Post by **wasserleaker** » 06 Aug 2007, 20:05

are you talking about about running on petrol, Big red bus? i think Gavvan's talking about improvements he made to run better on LPG, mate.

Post by **big red bus** » 06 Aug 2007, 21:12

Yes sorry I'm running petrol.

Post by **wasserleaker** » 06 Aug 2007, 21:46

just looked at your pics of ya van, Big red bus, v nice! like the interior.
not much more you can do to improve mpg than the things you've done by the sounds of it, careful driving, servicing etc. what engine is it?

Post by **big red bus** » 06 Aug 2007, 21:54

2.1 dj but it's an auto as well so just keep on filling it up when it gets empty I suppose. cheers

Post by **toomanytoys** » 07 Aug 2007, 09:26

AH!!!!....
WHat rpm are you generally using? these engines are more efficientwhen not lugging... my syncro doka returns 24mpg on the motorway sitting at 3800-4000 rpm.... and its only a 1.9 DG.. thats about as good as it gets with any of the petrol engines...
My caravelle used to give bettermpg at 70mph than at 55-60 as you didnt need to use the gears so much and the engine was spinning a bit more... they seem to like a few more RPM and a light throttle, rather than less rpm and a heavier thottle..