1.9D economy on cold runs......

[Kitch]

So the Estate has been struggling to achieve anything like decent fuel economy. It's currently asking for more having just managed 31MPG on this batch!

I remember it used to be much better on average, but I was driving further. Now I'm doing 4 miles in the morning, and 4 in the evening, so not ideal for economy. That said, I've run a number of cars on the daily slog and the Saxo VTS used to crack 32mpg. Even the 16v can do about 25mpg in this type of use.

I do like the estate like an old friend, but it's bloody slow and if it's not bloody cheap either I think I might go back to hot hatches

Has anyone else got experience of short, cold runs in an n/a diesel?

[Tim Leech]

maybe a good service (and some injector cleaner) and a few good runs? worked wonders on my 19TZD (RIP) which was dog slow.

[Kitch]

Others have suggested the same, but what's a service going to do? I've put a new air filter in it, and if I change the oil it'll thicken it up which in theory will make the engine more thirsty due to drag.
I did put some injector cleaner in there but I personally think the stuff is like brown gas!

A session on the dyno showed the engine was in good health, with more power than originally quoted. I wonder if someone's tuned it?!

I've haven't taken it on any runs as I still haven't done the cambelt and if it goes ping I don't want to be more than walking distance from home!

[Tim Leech]

Dont know what to suggest? you havent got any sticking brakes?

[JayW]

The n/a i had last year was averaging 40-43mpg on my 5 mile daily commute, so i'd agree there is an isssue but couldn't say what.

[Kitch]

No sticky brakes, engine appears to run in good health.

I might pop a lazier thermostat in there and see what happens. Or put some foil over the grille

[MULLEY]

Are you ragging it to within an inch of its life? If you are changing up at 2000rpm or even lower it should do low 40's on those short runs if everything is well with it. Could it possibly be a poor injector spray pattern which might not be showing any symptons?

[Kitch]

Are you ragging it to within an inch of its life? If you are changing up at 2000rpm or even lower it should do low 40's on those short runs if everything is well with it. Could it possibly be a poor injector spray pattern which might not be showing any symptons?

No, certainly not ragging it. Trying to be gentle if anything, and I'm usually pretty good at getting decent economy from engines if I try (can average 48mpg around town in the Picasso).
You have to get your foot down a bit to get it to move, but I'm not revving it up. I don't know what I'm changing up at as I have a clock not a rev counter (which doesn't work ) but at a guess it's 1500-2500rpm.

[Mothman]

Maybe you have a fuel leak somewhere?

Andy

[MULLEY]

TBH my txd seems to get upto temperature pretty damn quick, within a mile i reckon & i live in a hilly part of the country. Are these short distances in 60mph zones or are they mixed 30, 40, 50 etc?? When i ragged the TZD Turbo, that managed 36mpg so there's deffo something up with your car. If there isn't fuel pissing out somewhere as suggested by Andy its a tad strange. Without asking you to suck eggs, how exactly are you working out the fuel consumption? Do you have the double fuel tank 66 litres, or is it the smaller one & thats why your calcs are out?

[Kitch]

Maybe you have a fuel leak somewhere?

Andy

Worth looking at I guess, but no puddles and no smell. I know the lines looked a bit flakey so worth a quick look.

[Kitch]

TBH my txd seems to get upto temperature pretty damn quick, within a mile i reckon & i live in a hilly part of the country. Are these short distances in 60mph zones or are they mixed 30, 40, 50 etc?? When i ragged the TZD Turbo, that managed 36mpg so there's deffo something up with your car. If there isn't fuel pissing out somewhere as suggested by Andy its a tad strange. Without asking you to suck eggs, how exactly are you working out the fuel consumption? Do you have the double fuel tank 66 litres, or is it the smaller one & thats why your calcs are out?

I've never heard the cooling fan come on in it. I fitted the 16v temp gauge but it doesn't seem to be working. Short distances are through a housing estate, down a tight, twisty narrow lane, along a 60mph road and then through a housing estate again. Not ideal I'll admit.

Using fuelly to work out the consumption by running until the light stays on under all conditions, so braking, pulling away, corners etc. As soon as that happens for the first time I note the trip counter. So far I've done 76miles on 10L of diesel and the light has now stayed on. I know brimming click to click is more accurate, but I'm happy to get a round number and if I brim it someone will only nick it if I leave it parked in the industrial park overnight knowing my luck!

Or it'll all leak away

[Mothman]

TBH my txd seems to get upto temperature pretty damn quick, within a mile i reckon & i live in a hilly part of the country. Are these short distances in 60mph zones or are they mixed 30, 40, 50 etc?? When i ragged the TZD Turbo, that managed 36mpg so there's deffo something up with your car. If there isn't fuel pissing out somewhere as suggested by Andy its a tad strange. Without asking you to suck eggs, how exactly are you working out the fuel consumption? Do you have the double fuel tank 66 litres, or is it the smaller one & thats why your calcs are out?

I believe that any diesel or petrol for that matter prior to 1991 had the 52 litre fuel tank other than turbos which had the 66 litre one. My 1990 TGS has a 52 litre tank as do all my 3 MK 1 diesels so i reccon your Estate also has this type too.After this date, all BXs had the 66 litre jobbie.

Andy

[MULLEY]

Hmmm, i thought my 1990 8 valve Gti had the larger tank? Can't remember tbh....

Kitch, that means your consumption is 34.55mpg, so its improving

[Chris Abbott]

My 1st 1.9 n/a with 100+K miles did low 30,s when i 1st had her, I had the injectors reconditioned and 48+ MPG was achieved straight away, quite expensive to do but well worth it.