Date: Fri, 14 Sep 2007 14:48:21 -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: <46E8C0C2.1010106@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Start with a stall speed test. The procedure is in the Bentley. Next is
sort of a feel thing. If acceleration is lethargic and manually shifting
or keeping the tranny from up shifting makes an improvement than the
torque converter is suspect. A bad toque converter can also make upshifts
feel mushy like a slipping clutch.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Elliott [mailto:camping.elliott@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, September 13, 2007 12:47 AM
To: Dennis Haynes
Cc: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: My poor MPG, O2 sensor seems okay
How might someone determine whether one has a bad torque converter?
--
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 7:27 PM Dennis Haynes wrote:
> 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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