Date:         Thu, 21 Jul 2011 15:01:34 -0800
Reply-To:     Gary Bawden <goldfieldgary@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Gary Bawden <goldfieldgary@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Cross-country trip report
In-Reply-To:  <CACHTzae1XWBY2SqbnzaDFD-487jBxKfxvGm7uTeo3F1v3sPw-Q@mail.gmail.com>
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Hello again fellow Vanagoneers,

I've made it back home, and the numbers are:

Total trip mileage, from Medford, OR, to Titusville, FL, then to parts of
Alabama, out to Tucson, AZ (by way of Mississippi) and back up to Nevada:
7,432 miles.

Fuel mileage on first leg of trip: 25.5 mpg (9.22 l/100km)

Fuel mileage on remainder of trip, after Jim Felder fixed the fuel leak, and
despite my carrying 37 planks of cypress on the roof rack: 26.7 mpg (8.81
l/100km)

I checked my odometer a couple of times during the trip, it seems to read 2%
higher than actual miles traveled, so these numbers have already been
corrected to reflect that.

This is in my '85 non-Westy, with a roof rack, standard waterboxer gearing,
1.9 l AAZ turbodiesel.

Additional note: I've been adding a 50/50 blend of two-stroke oil and Power
Service Diesel Engine Fuel Conditioner, at the rate of approximately 4
ounces of mix per fill-up (usually between eight and ten gallons).

Final (?) thoughts on the AAZ conversion: I really think I should have had
an aftercooler plumbed in, as by all reports they keep the EGT's down by
around 200 degrees F. It's really kind of nip-and-tuck, especially in the
western U.S., with the longer grades, and the less humid and more rarified
air, to keep the EGT down to an acceptable temperature without one. I may
look into propane injection, as it's reported that it helps with EGT, as
well as increasing fuel economy. When I next get to tinkering, will report
back!

Also, for those considering the conversion, I really think the manifold
pressure gauge is a big help, although it has a learning curve on this
engine - -  the usable readings are in a narrow range between 7 and 9.5 psi.
What the gauge will tell you is:

1.) When you are wasting fuel - - if you are up against the wastegate
opening pressure, any more fuel is really being wasted, you're not going to
get appreciably more power by giving it more fuel.

2.) EGT management - - by keeping the manifold pressure at around 8.5 psi,
the EGT will rarely get to be a problem.

3.) Shift points - - if you are in third gear, for example, and pulling a
grade, and the hill appears to be not as steep at some point, a quick glance
at your manifold pressure gauge will tell you whether or not you should
bother to shift into fourth. If you're still pulling a grade in third, and
your manifold pressure is still up over 8 psi, you're not going to be able
to maintain fourth gear! I wait until it's down to 7 psi before shifting to
the next higher gear.

That being said, the pyrometer is absolutely essential for this engine, and
the manifold pressure gauge is a nice option to have.

Looking forward to the next trip,

Gary

It's good to be back, but already I'm planning on the next trip!