golf mk3 , POOR MPG WOTS CAUSING IT

[golfmk31993]

hi,
this is my first post on this forum
i have a mk3 1993 golf 1.4, i have owned the car for about a month, it drives really nice and smoothly

the problem is it is drinking way too much fuel, if i put 20litres of fuel i only get about 90 miles'ish, wich seems way too low,
i have been told i should be getting around 45-50mpg.

i can hear that my exhaust is definatly blowing, the engine is not smoking but when its running and i stand behind the exhaust i can smell petrol quite strong,

i was thinking i may have a hole in my cat ,would this be the cause of my poor mpg? it would explain the exhaust blowing, or maybe i just have a hole somewere in the exhaust,

a mechanic friend of mine did remove all my spark plugs and clean them, they looked quite black but i didnt think this was unusual, it has also had a new air filter.

can someone please help me, i really cant aford to keep putting all this petrol in my car, thats the reason i bought the 1.4 in the first place (aswell as the insurance as im only 18)

any help is really really apreciated

thanks

[saul79]

you defo got no leaks ? how is your right foot?

[Rmachines]

I think mabey you have a lamby issue,  your 02 sensor could be faulty causing it to overfuel,  A leaking cat will also cause this, but if its as bad as you say it seems a little extreme.

[golfmk31993]

hi,

there are definatly no leaks, the car is in my garage overnite and there never any signs of leaks on the floor, i am going to change the temp sensor and see if it helps,

when u say 02 sensor do you mean ecu temp sensor?

also wot exactly is a lamby? how does it work and is it hard to replace (or costly£Â£Ã‚£)?

i am going to get the temp sensor fixed and then have a go at fixing the whole in my exhaust with some holts exhaust repair gum,

ill let u now how i get on

thanks for your help

[Mikester]

Lambada sensor measures the amount of Oxygen that wasnt burnt...... So if it was lots not burnt, it would fuel up more, same with the o2 sensor, if they are faulty the car is being tricked into using more fuel than needed :/

I might have the same issue athough as said, how id your right foot? mines sore.