Club 80-90 Forums

Hi all,

I'm a little concerned about how much my van is using in fuel. I put £25 in and have only done 49miles and it needs filling again!

Is this extreme and is there any solutions for making it more economical.

So one has suggested only using one carberretor instead of 2, i have no idea what this means so help please.

Might help by teling us what engine you have what carbs etc etc etc not mind readers!

Firstly, what engine have you got, fully loaded camper or empty panel van?

Second, Don't believe your fuel gauge, they're not particularly accurate. Make sure you don't have any leaks in the fuel system, the pipes could be nearly 30 years old now.

Brim fill the van, do a 100 or so miles, than brim fill it again. Do this a few times and you will get a better idea of it's fuel usage.

They are not particularly ecconomical vehicles, but if you're only getting 10 to the gallon it does sound a bit extreme

10 mpg seems a little extreme. Although I wouldn't expect to be getting much more than 20 around town.

ok Jamesc76 a little oversite on my part!

Its a 1.9 petrol air cooled twin carb. And a fully loaded camper.

Before everyone fires off its this/that/the other....

how do you drive it/does it drive OK?


(apologies if this is an egg sucking exercise!) These vans will drink fuel like wanno if you try and make it drive like a modern vehicle especially if you make it drive like a new car whilst the weather is cold!

If there is an issue with the engine then people often just apply more throttle to compensate (not knowingly) - typically going up hills is the tell of a wearing engine - now all Aircooled's are "pooh" at going up hills (with the exception of Gunslingers mad bus!); but your bus decides it wants to loose everything at the sight of a molehill then it 'could' point to the engine.

Check wheel bearings/brakes binding/traking on the wheels as these all play a big factor in fuel MPG's

If you suspect the engine easy things to look at and rule out are usually:-
air leaks around the carbs
carbs are synchronised
auto chokes are coming off
air filters are not blocked
exhaust in acceptable condition?




If you let us know whereabouts you are there might be someone near you who could take a butches at your bus

Just to add try freewheeling with the engine switched off to see if you have any brake binding or bearing problems, I would not expect much more than 20mpg and probably nearer 15

Thanks dugcati,

It drives well, good uphill as it happens.

We have only had the van a couple of weeks so are still getting use to it but the exhaust is good the choke goes off, we do need a new tyre, the air filter is new, not sure on the carbs tho.

After a little maths i've worked it out that its done approx 12 to the gallon.

We know this wasn't goning to be an economic purchase but still thought it should get 20-25 around town. At the moment its only used for getting to and from work and the occasional trip at the weekends around the town.

Also im based in Parkstone, poole if there is someone willing to come and have a look and see what we could do to make our little man go better. Any advice is welcome!

Does anyone have an opinion on changing it from twin carbs to single?

gayleshort wrote:

Does anyone have an opinion on changing it from twin carbs to single?

Twin carbs will be more fuel efficient than a single carb.

Around town will only get you high teens at best

thanks eatcustard!

20-25 MPG maybe if your on the motorway draughting lorries... the 2.0L are a thirsty engine.

It's worth keeping in mind the more weight in the van the more fuel you use - most people keep the water tank/s empty and remove as much heavy stuff as possibly when not camping

The best way to get cheap motoring out of your van is to get it LPG'd

As said, get it properly serviced by someone that knows about these vehicles.. make sure tyres are inflated properly etc etc.. around town/short trips it is never going to be good.. prob never break 20mpg even if driven like your gran...

Sounds to me like it needs the carbs setting up, take it to your local MOT tester and ask them to stick the gas tester pipe up the exhaust. You/they will soon know if it needs setting up.
If you were local that what I would do for ya, but to get here it would cost ya about 400 quid

Thanks fullsunian!

Definately booking it in after Xmas.

dont take it to an mot man. most will have never seen this set up and will likely do more harm than good.

take it to a reccomended speciallist, honestly its money well spent.