Date: Mon, 30 Nov 1998 18:44:46 EST
Reply-To: Vanadiesel@AOL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: Michael Avrea <Vanadiesel@AOL.COM>
Subject: Re: Diesel Westy Mileage/Gearing
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
In a message dated 11/18/98 10:46:48 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
Tom_Cook@ERM.COM writes:
<< What kind of mpg are you getting with your diesel westy?
After swapping a Golf 1.7L diesel with about 100k into my recently aquired
'82 diesel westy I am only getting about 24 mpg. This is both in town and
on the highway; not mixed but in both types of driving. I realize that the
1.7L will use slightly more gas than the old 1.6 but I was hoping for at
least 28 or so. The engine had compression around 450lbs/cylinder when
installed although I am not sure if that affects mileage or not. I have
also checked my tire pressure and do not have any roof racks or anything in
the top luggage compartment. One other thing that I just thought about...
I have the diesel aux heater... is that enough additional weight to
decrease my mpg by 15%? >>
And I replied to you;
>>Hi, I also just got a 82 diesel Westy, in fact I have not even gone thru a
tankful yet to check my mpg. What were you getting when you had the 1.6L in
it? Also curious how much better performance is with the 1.7L, (Top speed,
hill climbing etc..). After an earlier posting, (See: Re: Fwd: Diesel
Conversion specialist in CA? on 11/18), I'm thinking about the swapping to the
1.6 Turbo diesel as I'm somewhat bothered by the 60 mph top speed. Thanks for
any info.<<
Then you wrote;
>>I bought the van with a blown engine so I do not have any comparison with
the 1.6. However my top speed is still around 60 or 65 mph and at that
speed the engine is wound up pretty high... it sounds much happier around
58 or so. My westy does feel peppy below 30 mph though... not peppy like
my bmw 2002 but peppy none-the-less. As far as hill climbing... once again
under 30 mph and even up to 40 mph it seems like it would go up anything
(still in 3rd gear) but you better have a pretty good running start if you
want to maintain highway speeds while climbing hills. I usually just fall
in behind the slowest truck I can find and follow him to the top no matter
how slow he goes...
If all you want is top speed you might look into changing the rear
differential gear. This may increase your top speed on the flats and
downhills while sacrificing some acceleration and power. I am currently
considering (although I haven't done a lot of research yet) this becuase I
feel like acceleration in the lower gears will still be ok with a lower
rear end ratio and then it would top out around 65 or 70 on the flats
instead of 55-60... kind of like a cheap man's 5spd<<
Hi Tom,
How's things going with your diesel Westy. I've since gone thru two tankfuls
and have gotten 24.5 and 25.5 mpg. My mechanic says after he adjusts the
valves and a few other things that should improve. I also just picked up some
Power Service diesel additive and cleaner, (two different products, one is for
regular use and the other is to clean up the injectors and such), that was
recommended by a list member. Also got some Mobil Delvac 1 (a for diesel
engine version of Mobil 1 synthetic oil) which was recommended by another list
member as the best way it insure long engine life and improved performance.
Haven't added of them yet so I'll check back with results.
Have grown somewhat used to the speed and power of my Westy so the engine
switch is on the backburner for now. A gearing change to get a little more top
end is of more interest at the moment, especially if the adjustments and
additives do get me more speed it will just be revving out at even higher
rpm's which seem too high at even 60 mph. Have you found out anymore on that?
Any info would be appreciated from you or other list members.
Thanks,
Michael Avrea
Ventura, California
