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Seriously bad mpg on a Ph2 1.4

onlygreg

onlygreg

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Worked out I'm doing about 25mpg on my 1.4. I always knew it was bad from the amount I spend on petrol but this is ridiculous.

What can I look at to improve it.

Also I have my MOT coming up.... Will this mean it fails on emissions???
 
onlygreg said:
Worked out I'm doing about 25mpg on my 1.4. I always knew it was bad from the amount I spend on petrol but this is ridiculous.

What can I look at to improve it.

Also I have my MOT coming up.... Will this mean it fails on emissions???
Click to expand...

stop putting ya foot down lol
 
Give it a damn good service, oil + filter, air filter, plugs.. if it's an 8v then take off the dizzy cap and clean the points. All helps if it's not been done recently.
 
mate ive got same problem, i have really bad MPG put 15£ in 2 days and light came on already. Not been far either. Its ok the cars having service tomoz :P
 
Well I was gonna do my MOT around nowish... it's due at the end of this month... but I think I'm gonna use the money I have left in the bank to sort out what I know is wrong, get it looked at etc... then try and get it through the MOT with my next pay check later in the month. Just worried about the emissions test!
 
I just hope I wont get charged silly amounts... If it fails, it's off to the scrap yark and I know it's poverty spec, but it'll kill me to see an Astra leave the roads for good.
 
only a suggestion but try changing the lambda sensor also. my mpg was silly low (bout the same as yours with same engine but mines a '95) and its gotten better since that was fixed, not great (bout 30-35mpg) but i still drive it pretty hard too
 
Ah is this the whole, lambda sensors bust and thinks there is more air so sends more fuel to the engine therefore making it run rich thing?! That might be something worth looking at. How much did you pay for a new one, aren't they silly money!?
 
http://www.gendan.co.uk/oxygen_lambda_sensors_Vauxhall_Astra.html

Astra 1.4i 8v 59bhp C14NZ 8/1990 to 8/1998 Direct Fit: £33.23 Universal: £22.46

Both in stock, and prices inc VAT and p&p
thats the cheapest i can find online at first quick search, but think was a bit cheaper from local motor factors.. if i can find the receipt tomorrow i'll let you know how much i paid

also.. look into your engine temp sensor as it may be constantly cold-running on choke


thread about sensors:
http://www.mk3oc.org/forum/showthread.php?t=14633
 
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Oooo now that's interesting. My car's engine cooling fan is constantly on (it's been bridged for whatever reason), in spite of this I'm pretty sure the choke isn't on constantly as I can turn in off with a sharp tap on the accelerator.

Is the lambda sensor easy to fit... those prices aren't too scary at all... thought I was looking at £60ish at least for some reason.
 
they're not difficult as long as you can get them out, due to being on the exhaust downpipe they get very hot and tend to seize, mine came out relatively easy compared to some, and being newer than mine you might be lucky, once you've got it out its just a matter of screwing the new one in, tightening it up and connecting the plug

onlygreg said:
My car's engine cooling fan is constantly on
Click to expand...

im not sure how much power your fan draws but every electrical item that is running will bring your mpg down too, i think heated screens, air-con and stuff like that are meant to be the worst for it but with how low your mpg is i would be looking to every little thing to try and bring it back up
 
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lol at the rate my current tank of fuel is going ill be getting about 15mpg so neeer neeer
 
I get 36+ out of a 1.4 AUTO, with a heavy foot.
Things like fan on all the time is silly, needs looking at yesterday if not sooner.
As for the lambda just check the speed and voltage as this will tell you if it is healthy, if you don't have the kit to check the speed, remember they can still be duff and pass a mot, even if they are a slow switcher.
The US made sensors are getting very good now, but at least it is a piece of cake to get to, just be sure to replace like with like, ie narrow to narrow, but you could go heated so it works quicker from cold, this would help, though chip may be written to ignore till certain temp anyway.
tabetha
 
thermostat
 
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