Fuel Consumpion?

[Cookster]

Hi Everyone

This is my first post, just bought a 84 T25 1.9 petrol/watercooled runs fine tickover a bit high tried to turn the idle down seems to work then next time it seems to be running fast again! I'm only getting around 25 to the gallon not sure if thats right or not the guy I got it from said it may be something to do with the auto choke I believe it's the wax type don't know much about them but if it's not shutting the choke off properly that could be the answer I guess, somebody suggested changing the choke but not sure where to get one or how much they cost. Sorry to be so vague this is the first camper we have owned and the last time I played around with an engine I was probably around 18 a good few years ago. Anyway I would like to sort this out and hopefully get a bit better fuel consumpion as we are going on a european tour for a month in Aug hopefully will be travelling through Germany, Switzerland, Italy and France so if I can gain a few more miles to the gallon that would be great! If anyone has done a similar trip before some tips would be much appreciated.

Cheers Cookie

[Ian Hulley]

Hiya, welcome to the club.

If it's doing 25 (are you sure ?) then there's not much wrong with it.

Ian.

[Oldjets]

I'm fairly new to T25s too but after 8 months driving my 1.9 the best I have got is 27mpg - I was pretty pleased with that! Mine is heavy too, being a fully loaded Autosleepers conversion with tow bar, bike rack etc. Auto choke can give a few problems I believe - see other threads in the tech forum - but to help with fuel figures check plugs, points, air filter, intake pipework etc are all in good condition. Costs little to replace or clean them. Also check brakes are adjusted and tyre pressures are correct. Dragging brake shoes can affect performance - had my rear shoes replaced for MOT as wheel cylinder was leaking and had ruined one set and other set were worn unevenly. Make a noticable difference to how van behaved at low speed - improved 'rolability' when coasting with closed throttle etc. I'm sure I'm getting a few more miles from each fill up now because of that.

Best of luck with the trip.

Oldjets

[Cruz]

I once got 80 miles to less than a gallon but that was when we were towed home from Ashbourne on a loader

best I get round toon on lpg is 18

[toomanytoys]

Helo and welcome, please fill out your profile with location as we can then recomend someone in your area...

25 is about it I am afraid.. and less is more likely...

As for touring Europe... use the search function there are loads of items on here that will help you..
But... the best tip would be.... getting the van serviced and a jolly good once over by someone that knows them... as if you break down anywhere apart from Germany, they simply wont have a clue unless you are really lucky..

[eatcustard]

Wecome to the happy house

I get 16-21 on LPG
18-25 on Petrol on a 2.1i

so 25 on a 1.9 is not bad

[dannyg1985]

i used to average around 22mpg up untill beggining of june till i broke down but on the good note £15 has lasted me since then now van going again its time to wipe me fuel card of the dust, happy travels dude, ohhh and hi/welcome these guys will look after you

[ghost123uk]

I have the same type of engine and 25 mpg is about right.

If you are planning using it a lot I and many others on here would thoroughly recommend getting it running on LPG = 1/2 price fuel bills with no downside.

Oh, and welcome from sunny (at last) Chester

[axeman]

i only get around 18-20 mpg in the syncro doka. 25mpg i can onky dream of. sounds about right to me. welcome to old world tech. but look on the bright side i bet that you are smiling when you driving it. i know that i am.
neil

[DaisyAirHead]

25 25 25 25mpg,
Eeee lad bloody luxury,
2 litre a/c.I dream of 25mpg.
When I was a lad lived in tut middle of road in tut shoebox...... etc etc etc add as necessary.
Still good choice of van.Keep smiling!

[CovKid]

I'm averaging about 22mpg. Certainly do loads better on a run. Trick is to get into the habit of NEVER EVER EVER pressing that right hand pedal unless you REALLY REALLY have to. Easy acceleration and use you gear box properly. I was taught to work up and down the box at all times. Some passengers say I do excessive gear changes but I'm always in exactly the right gear at any given moment and again that helps with fuel consumption. Lazy gear changing like chugging in fourth when you should be in second really drink petrol (lpg too I would think).

I confess on some long runs I've dipped the clutch on long downward gradients. Suprising what you can save when you have an egg cup full between you and the next garage! Turn your engine off when stuck solid in traffic too - thats good for everyone in my view.

[Cookster]

Cheers everyone

Thanks for all yours help & suggestions sounds like 25 mph is about right, how can I check the choke is working properly? will just have to take it steady & as you say go easy on the throttle we will be in no hurry on our hols in europe not going to try & do too much in a day maybe a couple of hundred miles or so depending on the roads we take try & get parked up by 3ish each day get set up crack open a beer & chill!

Like the sound of the LPG conversion looks like it costs about a grand which you would soon get back if using a lot, maybe do this next year because once we have done the euro trip she's havin a respray & stuff so will be of the road most of the winter.

As I said you guys have more experience of T25's what spare bits would you suggest to take along? so far I have plugs, leads, rotar arm, coil, alternator belt, distribitor cap, brake pads... sorting out euro breakdown but still thought it would be usefull to take some stuff with me anything else you can think of that might go wrong?

Read on this site about ADAC euro recovery based in germany not much on thier website in english all the terms & conditions are in german so not sure if they cover campers, sounds like a good deal for 70 quid & I know people who have used them with cars & have said they are really on the ball, have filled out the form online but that seemed a bit vague not much info requied so I'm not sure what happens next.

Again thaks for all your help

[ghost123uk]

Thanks for all yours help & suggestions sounds like 25 mph is about right,

Yep at 25 MPH you will get better MPG

how can I check the choke is working properly?

If it starts OK and does 25 MPG, it is working properly

will just have to take it steady & as you say go easy on the throttle we will be in no hurry on our hols in europe not going to try & do too much in a day maybe a couple of hundred miles or so depending on the roads we take try & get parked up by 3ish each day get set up crack open a beer & chill!

That is a good recipe for a nice relaxing holiday in a T25
In a VW Camper, the holiday starts when you set off, not when you get there.

Like the sound of the LPG conversion looks like it costs about a grand which you would soon get back if using a lot, maybe do this next year because once we have done the euro trip she's havin a respray & stuff so will be of the road most of the winter.

You won't look back after an LPG conversion. It makes you smile with satisfaction every time you fill up. You could look at it this way, it gives the equivalent of around 50 MPG

As I said you guys have more experience of T25's what spare bits would you suggest to take along?

A spare engine

so far I have plugs, leads, rotor arm, coil, alternator belt, distributor cap, brake pads... sorting out Euro breakdown but still thought it would be useful to take some stuff with me anything else you can think of that might go wrong?

A bulb kit is required by law in some countries.

Check your spare tyre.

A phone charger.

Check you can undo ALL the wheel knuts with the wheel brace you will have with you (my wheel nuts always seem to tighten up and require all sorts of tricks to get them off, and that is with a proper "spider" type wheel brace !!

Check all water hoses, even the ones under the van, incl the bits that connect to the rad (whilst the spare tyre is out being checked )

Check the fuel feed pipe and the fuel return pipes VERY CAREFULLY & replace if in any doubt, using total care, attention and accuracy when fitting clips, routing them and grommets etc. An engine bay fire might upset your relaxing holiday !!

OH yes, you have got a fire extinguisher on board haven't you !!

Check your Oil & Water every day.

I am sure other will come along with more...

Most of all, take your time and enjoy it

.

[Cookster]

OOPS! ment mpg

will check everything as you said checking oil & water everyday is a good idea & I do need to get a fire extiguisher.

[ghost123uk]

I do need to get a fire extinguisher.

Yes, don't put it off.

For years I have carried one in both the Camper and the Scirocco.

I did have an engine fire once, years ago ( in an Aircooled panel van ).
I managed to put it out (with water from a water butt) but at the time, looking at the flames and having no extinguisher, I vowed to always have one to hand from that day on.

The thought of having any sort of fire in a Camper, and just having to watch it take hold because you did not have an extinguisher, does not bear thinking about

Plus, you might become a hero if someone you see has a fire but no extinguisher

I have "Halon" types because powder makes a right mess and Water is not so good on fuel & oil fires.
Discuss...