Toyota Granvia - Abhorrent MPG - Where to start?

Toyota Granvia - Abhorrent MPG - Where to start?

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radiodanno

Original Poster:

1,055 posts

130 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
Hi.

I've had my Toyota Granvia for a month now. (For those who don't know it's a Jap import based on a Hiace Powervan with the Landcruiser 3.0 TD lump.) It's is utterly brilliant at so many things, and I wouldn't be without it.

There are two issues, and I'm wondering if you might be able to help me decide whether 1) They're connected and 2) They're easily fixed.

The MPG I'm getting is nothing short of shocking. Everyone on the forum reports getting 25-30mpg pretty much however and wherever you drive it. I'm getting a detestable 17-19, but more often than not 17. This is measured using brim to brim (2nd click) and I'm absolutely certain this is what it's actually achieving. I'd happily take 10% off what internetz peoplez claim they get, but 17 is gut wrenching. It might be 2tonne of van, but this is me at 60mph with overdrive on and 2000 rpm.

The van is also very creaky at low speed, but only when the car has been running for a while. A garage have changed the Anti Roll Links (there was play on one side) but no improvement. It still creaks and moans at low speed when turning the wheel from one side to another. Weirdly, not for the first 10-20 minutes. I've have sprayed the life out of all bushes and moving parts with WD40 (probably spent a whole 2 cans on it) but nothing.

I have to be honest, it's really spoiling my enjoyment of an otherwise fine old bus. If it's the ONLY thing the van does badly, then I can take a bit of a hit on the mpg. But to be doing so MUCH worse than everyone else makes me thing something's not right.

Van has been regularly serviced, and I changed the oil and filters 1,500 km ago.

Any help appreciated. Sorry for the long post, just wondering if anyone has ideas?

cptsideways

13,545 posts

252 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
Is it 4wd? If so I'd say that's normal. Those who claim 30mpg often only have a speedo face change on them so that 30kpg wink


Otherwise check pump timing & or de-tweak it, if its possible

radiodanno

Original Poster:

1,055 posts

130 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
2wd which makes it a bit more galling.

HertsBiker

6,309 posts

271 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
The service book says serviced, but when did it last have an air filter change? What tyre pressures you using, are they super wide or chunky? Is it auto? Are the brakes dragging? Has it been badly chipped... Does it have a bad egr ?

Baryonyx

17,996 posts

159 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
These old Japanese diesels can be eye watering at the pumps even in fine fettle. My mate had a Pajero (2.8 if I recall) that had a terrible thirst during day to day use, could be you are in the same situation.

radiodanno

Original Poster:

1,055 posts

130 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
I did the oil, oil filter and air filter myself 3 weeks ago. Even on a steady 60mph run from Cambridge to Devon I got 20 mpg!

radiodanno

Original Poster:

1,055 posts

130 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
Just a bit worried it might be prop shafty if it's making a noise and economy is suffering. EGR is a good shout, I guess it has one? If so it's time to get that bad boy shut down!

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

224 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
Getting up to temperature OK?

Should be sitting around 82ºc or thereabouts, it should get to temperature quickly as well, for a diesel.
There is a transmission lock up at around 56mph that helps MPG a great deal.
This can not work if the van doesn't get up to temperature, or if your fluid is knackered and needs a change.

Search 'Toyota Granvia direct drive.'

But check your 'stat, they go every few years in all cars and so many things use them to monitor if the car is up to temperature.


TooMany2cvs

29,008 posts

126 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
Baryonyx said:
These old Japanese diesels can be eye watering at the pumps even in fine fettle. My mate had a Pajero (2.8 if I recall) that had a terrible thirst during day to day use, could be you are in the same situation.
Even so, that's about the same economy that I was getting from a 3.0 v6 _petrol_ auto LWB Shogun... Something's clearly not happy with this bus.

Usual checks first. If it's got 'em, fault codes. Bloody good service. Quick jack-up and spin of all the wheels make sure a brake's not binding. Is it smoking?

radiodanno

Original Poster:

1,055 posts

130 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
Noticed a bit of black smoke this morning on launch, but it cleared after about 5 or 10 minutes. It gets up to temperature very quickly and stays there. The guy who had it before me did service it very regularly and with invoices to prove. However, he was in his late 70s. Could it just be coked up?

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

224 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
Have you searched for info on the direct drive?

Look into that.

donaircooleone

427 posts

177 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
Check usual turbo diesel problem spots?

All intercooler / intake hoses.
Fuel filter (probably won't affect economy a great deal).
EGR valve function.
Is the turbo making boost?

Blue Oval84

5,276 posts

161 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
radiodanno said:
Noticed a bit of black smoke this morning on launch, but it cleared after about 5 or 10 minutes. It gets up to temperature very quickly and stays there. The guy who had it before me did service it very regularly and with invoices to prove. However, he was in his late 70s. Could it just be coked up?
My mate's E60 said it was getting up to temp, only checking the ECU read out for the real temp showed that it wasn't.

If you're already checking via the OBD port then ignore me smile

Matt UK

17,696 posts

200 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
Something as simple as a sticky calliper?

morgrp

4,128 posts

198 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
where is the temperature sitting? is it getting up to temp - you should change the thermostat - regardless of whether it is gone or not they're cheap and easy to replace - even a slight lower than temp than normal will cause it to use more fuel

radiodanno

Original Poster:

1,055 posts

130 months

Wednesday 20th August 2014
quotequote all
gizlaroc said:
Have you searched for info on the direct drive?

Look into that.
If you mean does the overdrive work, then yes. And perfectly. Transmission locks up at 56mph when the engine is ticking over like a sewing machine at just below 2000 rpm.

radiodanno

Original Poster:

1,055 posts

130 months

Wednesday 20th August 2014
quotequote all
Thanks for all of your suggestions.

The car appears to be getting up to temperature, but I guess it could be a thermostat. I'd be surprised, but stranger things have happened. Now to see if it has full OBD2 or something more primative like my Avensis.

Hopefully it's this, brakes or EGR. Will report back once I've had a better poke at it.

cptsideways

13,545 posts

252 months

Wednesday 20th August 2014
quotequote all
I have yet to see any original Toyota thermostat from that era be faulty, it won't be that. If it was a VAG product I'd say for sure change it but not a Toyota one.


I assume the gearbox torque converter locks up ok at 40mph ish? Overdrive working as it should? I have seen gearbox temp senders fail on these which stops them going into overdrive. (it should go in after about a mile or two)

What wheels & tyres does it have? are they load rated as they need to be.

radiodanno

Original Poster:

1,055 posts

130 months

Wednesday 20th August 2014
quotequote all
cptsideways said:
I have yet to see any original Toyota thermostat from that era be faulty, it won't be that. If it was a VAG product I'd say for sure change it but not a Toyota one.


I assume the gearbox torque converter locks up ok at 40mph ish? Overdrive working as it should? I have seen gearbox temp senders fail on these which stops them going into overdrive. (it should go in after about a mile or two)

What wheels & tyres does it have? are they load rated as they need to be.
Overdrive kicks in at 56mph. It ticks away like a little sewing machine once it does that. It definitely works as if you flick the OD switch to off the engine starts revving at about 3.5k rather than 2k. (It's 3 speed plus OD)

bracken78

983 posts

206 months

Wednesday 20th August 2014
quotequote all
Does the engine get to the correct temperature? (is the thermostat stuck open?)