Need help please guys

the milkman · Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2011 10:57 am Post subject: Need help please guys

It's been a long time since I had a Mk1 on the road (20 years) but I don't remember the fuel consumption being as horrendous as this one is. From full I've done 115 miles and she's almost in the red!!! She was supposed to be my new daily but I can't afford to run her at those costs.

She runs a bit rough when cold and the choke is on but as soon as the temp gauge starts to move she runs perfect.

Is there a better carb set-up to run or an injection set-up that I can nick off another car?

Any help much appreciated

mitch1965 · Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2011 11:08 am Post subject:

Fuel guages on these are as acurate as a mind reader. Have you filled up since, to see how much fuel you have used? smile

Alot of folk don't like the Varajet II carbs, but i don't have an issue with mine & attain anything from 36+ mpg. Maybe the carb needs setting up, but again on short journeys, like all cars, the mpg does drop. Confused

davestar7 · Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2011 11:12 am Post subject:

My fuel gauge is pretty useless, though I always get at least 200+ after filling up, before I start getting uncomfortable with what the gauge shows laughing

Have a read through this thread to find some of my calculations

http://www.mk1oc.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=13252&highlight=

the milkman · Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2011 1:12 pm Post subject:

Cheers guys.

Just filled her up, 29.5 litres, divide by 4.54 gives 6.5 gallons

124 miles since I last filled up, so that gives 19mpg!!

eek

mitch1965 · Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2011 1:14 pm Post subject:

sh!t the bed. my V6 vectra does better than that nailing it. eek

time for a carb tune, possibly new plugs too. smile

the milkman · Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2011 1:22 pm Post subject:

She's just had a full service!

If I can't improve the mpg I'm gonna have to sell her frown

matt · Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2011 3:36 pm Post subject:

My estate 1.3 doe about 400-500 miles to a full tank if I take it easy.

Might be worth checking out the mixture from the carb and see if you can adjust it a bit, you haven't got a small leak anywhere have you?

ADJ333 · Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2011 5:33 pm Post subject:

Check the mixture and all that jazz.

Defo don't trust the gauge, carry a jerry can of fuel and run it till she splutters!!

Deane · Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2011 7:12 pm Post subject: fuel

I thought a fuel can was standard issue big grin

clodbuster · Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2011 10:10 pm Post subject:

sounds stupid but have a look where the pipes go into the tank! mine was seeping out fuel around the join where the pipes went in ! it had rusted ! but it didnt leave any petrol on the floor to be able to notice smile