Date: Tue, 11 Sep 2007 22:27:28 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: My poor MPG, O2 sensor seems okay
In-Reply-To: <46E72ECD.1050701@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
I've been vaguely following this trend and the one thing nobody mentioned
was the possibility of a bad torque converter. Yes, they do go bad. They
can fail where they do not multiply torque causing poor acceleration and
then not properly lock up always having some slip. Also, the 1.9L and auto
combination often have poor fuel economy. The 2.1L got a revised converter
with different stall speed and lock up characteristics. Works a bit
better. Still, 16-18 mpg seems about normal.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Michael Elliott
Sent: Tuesday, September 11, 2007 8:12 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: My poor MPG, O2 sensor seems okay
Interesting hypothesis. If the fuel pressure was low, would mpg be low yet
engine power pretty darn normal?
--
Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
71 Type 2: the Wonderbus
84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
74 Utility Trailer. Ladybug Trailer, Inc., San Juan Capistrano
KG6RCR
On 9/11/2007 5:00 PM Joseph Fortino wrote:
> dude from the stats on your van,, 15mpg thats kinda low
> fuel pressure reg?? putting out correct PSI?
>
> THESE vans keep us thinking all the time..
>
> Joe
>
> -----Original Message-----
>> From: "Mike \"Rocket J Squirrel\" Elliott" <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
>> Sent: Sep 11, 2007 4:42 PM
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> Subject: Re: My poor MPG, O2 sensor seems okay
>>
>> On 9/11/2007 2:48 PM Jack R. wrote:
>>
>>> Changes in your AFM?
>> My O2 sensor works and indicates that the mixture is not too rich or
too
>> lean. I've had the van for a few years and the mileage hasn't changed
>> for better or worse. It just stays worse.
>>
>>> Vacuum leak?
>> Would this result in a too rich or too lean mixture?
>>
>>> Air filter?
>> Clean.
>>
>>> Weight change?
>> You saying this van makes my ass look big?
>>
>> I've always gotten this mileage but I always carry about the same
amount
>> of gear, so no data there.
>>
>>> Bad sensor or wire, thus sending weak signal to your computer?
>> The fact that the ECU is keeping the mixture neither too rich nor too
>> lean suggests that the loop is closed and the ECU is able to "see" the
>> sensor.
>>
>>> Wheel alignment?
>> I've had the wheels aligned at least once since I got the van, and did
a
>> tire change, the wheels are wearing normally, and the mileage has not
>> gone through any changes.
>>
>>> Tire Pressure change?
>> Keep 'em aired per sticker.
>>
>>> Tire balance?
>> Two sets of tires, no vibration, no change in the mileage since I've
>> gotten the van.
>>
>>> Bad shock?
>> This can affect mileage? How would I know?
>>
>>> AC Compressor, Alternator, PS Pump... going bad, adding resistance?
>> Hm. Engine has surprisingly not overheated even after climbing Sherman
>> Grade up Highway 395 to Lee Vining in 109F heat so if there is
something
>> dragging on the engine I've got good a cooling system. But you're
right,
>> any extra drag can haul down mileage. However, if something is going
>> bad, it's doing so very very slowly because I've had the van for a few
>> years and the mileage hasn't changed. No A/C.
>>
>>> Fouled plug(s), or bad wires or bad distributor cap?
>> Plugs are clean, wires seem to be peachy, dizzy cap is clean.
>>
>>> Bad Fuel injector(s), causing imbalance at load. (run up to three
>>> consecutive takes of Techron or other Fuel Injector Cleaner)
>> Hm. Hadn't thought of that, either. I'll run some cleaner.
>>
>> These are great suggestions. Only thing you didn't think of was bad
ju-ju.
>>
>> --
>>
>> Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
>> 71 Type 2: the Wonderbus
>> 84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
>> 74 Utility Trailer. Ladybug Trailer, Inc., San Juan Capistrano
>> KG6RCR
>
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