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Model specific boards => Golf mk4 => Topic started by: ksab on 26 March 2014, 21:11

Title: Bad MPG on my GTI 2.0?
Post by: ksab on 26 March 2014, 21:11
Hi guys.
I bought a 2000 (W reg) GTI 2.0L recently. I'm just a bit concerned as according to the trip computer my average MPG is about 13mpg. Which seems stupidly low. Anyone got any tips or know if anything needs attention to improve this?
Title: Re: Bad MPG on my GTI 2.0?
Post by: northeast_gti-t on 26 March 2014, 21:23
First off get it scanned with vag com for any fault codes  :wink: post up and i'm sure we can help/advise etc
Title: Re: Bad MPG on my GTI 2.0?
Post by: Wayne on 27 March 2014, 13:36
I would work out your real mpg and see if you really have a problem, trip computer will always be out.

Are you doing mixed driving or a lot of short runs.
Title: Re: Bad MPG on my GTI 2.0?
Post by: ksab on 27 March 2014, 19:37
I basically use it to go to work and back each day which is a round trip of about 7 miles. I haven't had it very long and so far i haven't had a chance to do any longer runs. I'm hoping to soon.
Title: Re: Bad MPG on my GTI 2.0?
Post by: Gee_Tee_Aye on 27 March 2014, 20:56
I bought a 2.0 GTI last month and I'm getting ~30 Mpg. My commute is 16 each way and on some back roads with a mixture of boring and spirited driving. Just to give some comparison, hope you get it sorted soon.
Title: Re: Bad MPG on my GTI 2.0?
Post by: ksab on 28 March 2014, 08:10
I drove in this morning and my average mpg was about 14.
I filled it up last week which cost £61, and it gave me 103 miles. the fuel light has come on now. :-(
Title: Re: Bad MPG on my GTI 2.0?
Post by: Wayne on 28 March 2014, 13:55
I drove in this morning and my average mpg was about 14.
I filled it up last week which cost £61, and it gave me 103 miles. the fuel light has come on now. :-(

I would get it scanned for codes as a first step, could be a dodgy lambda sensor or coolant temp sender.
Title: Re: Bad MPG on my GTI 2.0?
Post by: matty james on 28 March 2014, 14:12
thats really low mpg for a 2L 8v -you should be getting between 25 and 38 depending on how you drive it - ive had 2 8v gtis .so as above lamba sensor would be my 1st choice .
Title: Re: Bad MPG on my GTI 2.0?
Post by: ksab on 28 March 2014, 15:19
Is the Lambda sensor a garage job? or can it be done at home?
Title: Re: Bad MPG on my GTI 2.0?
Post by: matty james on 29 March 2014, 18:00
while looking into my own car problem my maf, i bought a new air filter and put it in today -this gave me an average of 3 to 5 more mpg instantly :smiley:
Title: Re: Bad MPG on my GTI 2.0?
Post by: ksab on 29 March 2014, 19:57
Thanks 'Matty James', which Filter are you using now?
Title: Re: Bad MPG on my GTI 2.0?
Post by: matty james on 29 March 2014, 20:29
its just basic paper filter - the 1 i took out was filthy -had my car 12months and 2day is the 1st time ive been in the airbox . urs will probably be filthly too-change it for a basic 1 and u will notice the difference . dont think it will solve ur mpg problem though it will give u atleast a few more miles to the gallon .
Title: Re: Bad MPG on my GTI 2.0?
Post by: matty james on 29 March 2014, 20:41
as already mentioned m8 get a print out of your fault codes and post em up.
Title: Re: Bad MPG on my GTI 2.0?
Post by: ksab on 29 March 2014, 21:38
Is this any good for scanning? http://www.amazon.co.uk/U281-OBD-2-CAN-BUS-SCANNER-SKODA/dp/B001C9V89A/ref=pd_cp_auto_3
Title: Re: Bad MPG on my GTI 2.0?
Post by: barrym381 on 29 March 2014, 21:42
Is this any good for scanning? http://www.amazon.co.uk/U281-OBD-2-CAN-BUS-SCANNER-SKODA/dp/B001C9V89A/ref=pd_cp_auto_3
have 1 in my glovebox  :wink: worth the money
Title: Re: Bad MPG on my GTI 2.0?
Post by: matty james on 29 March 2014, 21:47
im gonna av to invest in a similar scanner i think,at mo i just go to my local independant vw specialist and get it  vagcomed and print out for free :smiley:
Title: Re: Bad MPG on my GTI 2.0?
Post by: ksab on 03 April 2014, 11:55
I have ordered a code scanner for my GTI from Amazon. So hopefully that will be here by the weekend so i'll check it straight away for faults. My car is also going in to my local garage tonight so i'll get him to check under the bonnet for any signs of a problem/leak etc...
Title: Re: Bad MPG on my GTI 2.0?
Post by: ksab on 04 April 2014, 19:24
Could it be a problem with the carburetor? My dad said when I pulled away the smell was quite strong / rich.
Title: Re: Bad MPG on my GTI 2.0?
Post by: matty james on 04 April 2014, 20:01
get it scanned and post up the codes m8 and take it from there.
Title: Re: Bad MPG on my GTI 2.0?
Post by: ksab on 04 April 2014, 22:39
I've ordered a code scanner. If it comes tomorrow i'll post what it says.
Title: Re: Bad MPG on my GTI 2.0?
Post by: dom on 05 April 2014, 11:53
Could it be a problem with the carburetor? My dad said when I pulled away the smell was quite strong / rich.

Yes that is definitely your problem :lipsrsealed:
Title: Re: Bad MPG on my GTI 2.0?
Post by: ksab on 05 April 2014, 16:32
Ok Thanks Dom. I suspected so. Any idea how much i'm looking at to fix / change my carb?
Title: Re: Bad MPG on my GTI 2.0?
Post by: ksab on 07 April 2014, 15:17
Someone told me you wouldn't have a Carb on a modern car. It's highly likely it's a problem with the fuel filter/ fuel injection... I'm new to this so I don't know too much. I have ordered a scanner but it hasn't come yet.
Title: Re: Bad MPG on my GTI 2.0?
Post by: JMK3 on 07 April 2014, 16:51
i know a guy with the same problem, gets around 18mpg. my guess would probably the lambda sensor.
Let me know what your code reader chucks up as im keen to find out what the cause is as well lol
Title: Re: Bad MPG on my GTI 2.0?
Post by: dom on 07 April 2014, 17:33
Yeah sorry, I wasn't being particularly helpful before...thought I'd see how long it took you to realise that it was an injection engine.

A faulty lambda would also be my guess, can you get it scanned for fault codes?
Title: Re: Bad MPG on my GTI 2.0?
Post by: ksab on 07 April 2014, 18:19
Sorry guys, as u may have guessed when things go wrong i usually ask 4help. Which is why these forums are so great for help and advice. By the way i have ordered a scanner but the bloody postie hasn't delivered it yet. I'm very impatient so hopefully it'll come tomorrow. That's what happens when you select free delivery, you have to wait two weeks for the bloody thing!!
Title: Re: Bad MPG on my GTI 2.0?
Post by: ksab on 07 April 2014, 19:08
Just checking out replacement Lambda Sensors on http://www.eurocarparts.com/car-parts.
Is it a simple diy fix or a garage job?
Title: Re: Bad MPG on my GTI 2.0?
Post by: Bellend on 07 April 2014, 19:21
Can I make one suggestion before wasting money?

The fact an air filter gave you 5 more MPG shows it's in desperate need for a full service so get that done and then before ordering anything get it on VAG-COM.

Instead of just assuming the lambda is faulty, you can monitor the readings, also I'd bet anything the temp sensor is faulty and again you can read that on VAGCOM.

Where are you located?
Title: Re: Bad MPG on my GTI 2.0?
Post by: ksab on 07 April 2014, 19:22
I'm in Bristol.
Title: Re: Bad MPG on my GTI 2.0?
Post by: JMK3 on 08 April 2014, 14:06
Can I make one suggestion before wasting money?

The fact an air filter gave you 5 more MPG shows it's in desperate need for a full service so get that done and then before ordering anything get it on VAG-COM.

Instead of just assuming the lambda is faulty, you can monitor the readings, also I'd bet anything the temp sensor is faulty and again you can read that on VAGCOM.

Where are you located?


it wasnt KSAB that had the mpg improvement from the air filter though
Title: Re: Bad MPG on my GTI 2.0?
Post by: ksab on 08 April 2014, 16:22
It's going in my local garage tomorrow afternoon. He's gonna do an emissions test and take it from there.
Ps. If my scanner has arrived today i'll scan it this evening and post up the results.
Title: Re: Bad MPG on my GTI 2.0?
Post by: Bellend on 08 April 2014, 16:40
Want live data really not just scanning but it is a start.
Title: Re: Bad MPG on my GTI 2.0?
Post by: ksab on 09 April 2014, 19:05
I gave it a scan today with my obdII code reader but no codes were found. Which is good. But now i'm wondering how accurate these £12 pieces of kit from Amazon really are...
Title: Re: Bad MPG on my GTI 2.0?
Post by: ksab on 28 April 2014, 15:49
So it went into the garage. They changed a Lambda Sensor, which fixed the fuel issue. And they also changed the Starter Motor to stop the engine whine on start-up. £355 inc vat.
Title: Re: Bad MPG on my GTI 2.0?
Post by: Dizzie on 28 April 2014, 16:43
my sister's computer says 29mpg over 1500 miles
Title: Re: Bad MPG on my GTI 2.0?
Post by: ksab on 28 April 2014, 16:55
Thats similar to what i'm getting on my short drives. I'm sure i'll get more once i do a long haul on the motorway. Also considering taking it in for a service soon which may help.