1.6 Driver - Crap MPG!

[jambuster]

While some of you mentioned the price of fuel think on £400.06 to fill up a standard volvo tractor unit & at 7.5/gallon it dont last long 

ok moan over 

[firstVW]

My drivers pretty poor on fuel, not sure of figures. i had some carb problems and started to have the choke out all the way so it would run. Got the carb cleaned and set up properly and problem solved! Still a thirsty little bi#ch though.

[JamesS]

OK.....I will try and explain as best i can.

Is the carb jetted for a 1.6? If it's jetted for a 1.8 then it would probably run like crap no matter how well setup it was. I assume it is jetted for a 1.6 though, it most likely is.

1. Get the car up to normal running temperature, most important thing & leave it running whilst you are tuning the carb.

2. Look into the engine bay from the front of the car. Look at the left hand side of the carb (the side facing the front right wheel) On that side of the carb there is a mixture screw located at the bottom right face of the carb (the screw is recessed into the carb so it's not that easy to see if you don't know where it is) Using a little flat head screwdriver screw it all the way in (clockwise) (the engine should cut out when you do this) then unscrew it 1.5 turns. Start the car again.

3. Then set the idle screw (the one with the spring on it) between 750-900 rpm (mine is set at 850) which is on the side of the carb facing you as you look into the engine bay from the front. screw in to raise the idle speed, screw out to lower the idle speed.


4. If the car has trouble pulling away/cuts out when you try and pull away = it's to lean. Turn mixture screw out half a turn anti-clockwise.

5. If there is alot of smoke/strong smell of petrol from the exhaust then it's too rich. Turn mixture screw in half a turn clockwise.

6. Turn the screw in half turn intervals

My car smells of petrol so i think that's quite common/normal for a carbed car. (My mixture screw, from screwed all the way in is 1 and 3/4 turns out.

I can post pics if that would help later.

James

[Dubster2]

My old 1.6 CL was always crap on fuel with the Pierburg and Weber carbs. Most I eve did for a tank was 305 miles with a lot of that being motorway ones! In the winter I was only getting 250-270 miles!

In my '91 16V, the most I've ever got for a tankful was 430 miles and it was running on fumes before I filled up! Used to get 38mpg on motorway runs taking it easy, but now get 32-35mpg. Any ideas as to what could be making it a bit more juicy?

[Dec]

Thanks JamesS ill take a look at the mixture screw. My dad setup the idle for me but i dont think he thought about the mixture one! I can always smell unburnt petrol around my car but not inside so it could be ok. I get about 160miles town driving/short trips from a tank

[JamesS]

my Driver is a 1.8 so should get worse mpg than your 1.6

I do about 315miles if i drive at 70 on the motorway never flooring it - about 33mpg
Short trips around town when the choke is used alot I could only see 220miles - about 23mpg

mpg is effected by the weather. Wet and cold is not goog for short journeys. I never drive fast when the car is warming up cos it rinses fuel and not good for the engine. It's done 182k so have to be kind, sometimes....

[Dec]

Yer its been quite wet and cold lately so i suppose it could improve over the coming months... Ive just ticked over 130k this morning Rarely do motorway miles at the moment as i walk to one of my jobs and drive the 3 miles to my other job and 4 miles to college also drive (rather lazy) the 1.5 miles to my girlfriends house!

Its all short trips and the car only just warms up normally. As long as im moving though I dont normally use the choke

[dirk]

I wouldn't just look at the carb for issues like this-sort the timing out as this will dramatically improve performance, fuel consumption, driveability and most importantly enjoyment!!!Its easy enough to do, just use a strobe timing light, get some good clear marks on the timing notches and turn the dizzy till its spot on!

[dubsport]

I can always smell unburnt petrol around my car but not inside so it could be ok.

I got that alot with my driver ...

[Dec]

I wouldn't just look at the carb for issues like this-sort the timing out as this will dramatically improve performance, fuel consumption, driveability and most importantly enjoyment!!!Its easy enough to do, just use a strobe timing light, get some good clear marks on the timing notches and turn the dizzy till its spot on!

Thanks mate Ive checked that twice now, each time when ive done a service so dont think its that. Im just learning to live with it and looking on the bright side: At least it wont be as much of a shock when i get a Gti