Fuel bills from hell

[r_penny23]

Hi all

I know that with the dip in the temperature I should see a decrease in my mpg but in the last months I've seem a full tank only last to around 200 odd miles!!!

My cars a 1.4 16v and will normally at a push do 350 o a tank, can anyone suggest what may be going wrong, I dont want to stick it into VW before Christmas as most of my cash is with Santa.

The only thing I believe may be the cause is my dodgy temp gage that persistantly goes off (I think its the sensor) which therefore may knock on the auto choke.......

Does anyone think Im on the right lines or any other advice to solve this annoying and potentially costly problem.

cheers
Ross

[nickpolo]

just my two pence but i'd say you're looking along the right lines of one of your sensors being duffed up

[Sleety]

hi my 1.4 8v only does about 270 miles to 40liters of fuel i dont think any thing of it it only like 33mpg o sh*t thats bad

Sleety

[sorted]

Did you find out any more information ...

I'm bound to be having the same difficulty... i done 183 to a full 40 litres. Its getting some new spark plugs, air filter, fuel filer, oil and oil filter this weekend - so ill maybe ask them to check it over - but they never find a problem !!

What sensor is it likey to be ?

[r_penny23]

Did you find out any more information ...

I'm bound to be having the same difficulty... i done 183 to a full 40 litres. Its getting some new spark plugs, air filter, fuel filer, oil and oil filter this weekend - so ill maybe ask them to check it over - but they never find a problem !!

What sensor is it likey to be ?

I fitted some spark plugs on the weekend and know for a fact my filters ok. I've just filled it back up so should know in the next week or two how its going. Im not entirley sure regarding the sensor but will keep you updated on my discovery.....

[JWC]

Might sound crazy but if you use full heat and blower in the very cold weather is takes much longer for the engine to warm up and start using a less rich mixture. Also, using your demist really sucks fuel especially if you not got far to bo to work, and the warm up whilst you busy scraping your ice off!

Moms really do know best.... In cold weather, my mom gets a fan heater and wedges it between the front seats. She plugs it in and posts the plug though the letter box. in the morning on her way down to make a cuppa, she turns it on by plugging it in (still on economy seven and that time!). Then when its time to go to work, she goes to her car which even if it was frozen solid is now steaming from the roof, gets in, toasty warm. Doesn't even need the heater on! And drives off.

Then thinks is that the front door behind me on the A38? - bugger, I knew I should have unplugged it!!

[JWC]

Did you find out any more information ...

I'm bound to be having the same difficulty... i done 183 to a full 40 litres. Its getting some new spark plugs, air filter, fuel filer, oil and oil filter this weekend - so ill maybe ask them to check it over - but they never find a problem !!

What sensor is it likey to be ?

It can only really be the CTS (coolant temperature sender) but it would normally flag up a fault if that has failed. You can tell, basically, your cluster should say 90C and never move once it gets there. Of course if the other CTS is misreporting it then it would stay rich, but again, that would flag up a fault.

[mikegti]

It can only really be the CTS (coolant temperature sender) but it would normally flag up a fault if that has failed. You can tell, basically, your cluster should say 90C and never move once it gets there. Of course if the other CTS is misreporting it then it would stay rich, but again, that would flag up a fault.

I'd get the sensor changed, only about 20 quid

could the thermostat also be faulty and opening too soon?

[JWC]

It can only really be the CTS (coolant temperature sender) but it would normally flag up a fault if that has failed. You can tell, basically, your cluster should say 90C and never move once it gets there. Of course if the other CTS is misreporting it then it would stay rich, but again, that would flag up a fault.

I'd get the sensor changed, only about 20 quid

could the thermostat also be faulty and opening too soon?

They are fail safe, and fail open - so yes, but you can tell if that is the case bu watching the temp. Its a differet sender to the ECU one.

[MintySE]

am having similar touble with my 1.4 8v 6n
its over fueling when cold get a smell of petrol in the cabin grrrr
have had the trottle body replaced bacause thats what my local vw specalist told me thats what it was !!! think it must be the sensor but which one not sure going 2 vw 2day 2 find out ( have a mate who works 4 them lol)

[laura_fairy_22]

I usually get about 300 - 400 miles to a full tank :s even in the crap weather..?

[JWC]

I usually get about 300 - 400 miles to a full tank :s even in the crap weather..?

Me too, usually more than 300 but less than 350 usually fill it up when the light comes on.

I think its the way we drive.

I don't usually drive like my arse is on fire, because its expensive, and I'm stingy like that.

[pberry]

I usually get about 300 - 400 miles to a full tank :s even in the crap weather..?

Me too, usually more than 300 but less than 350 usually fill it up when the light comes on.

I think its the way we drive.

I don't usually drive like my arse is on fire, because its expensive, and I'm stingy like that.

Fuel consumption does depend quite a lot on your driving style. I can't speak for you of course, but it's possible to get upto 20% more out of your tank by being really gentle and loving when you drive.

...And not doing above 60mph.

[JWC]

You can get 100MPG if you drive right up the arse end of a lorry

[laura_fairy_22]

my car loves a good old rev every now and again and again and again!