fuel consumption

[mal666]

hiya fellow jago'ers!!
i was just wondering if there was anyway of getting better fuel consumption out of my 1600pinto jeep?? its getting really unafordable to use!! if i cant get something sorted soon im going to have to either sell my pride and joy or face going broke!!! i did consider trying a diesel but then thought "il loose the nice rasp i get from the exuast and it would sound like a tractor having no sound proofing" sp ive kinda ruled that out!! at the moment im gettin about 30mile MAX to £10!!!!! im not sure if its the engine gettin tired or what i dont know!! any input on fuel saving(hard earned cash saving) woulod be greatly appreciated!!
cheers

Mal

[dave the steam]

Hi Mal,

I always get 25MPG out of my 1600 Pinto, rain shine, wrong distributor, crap petrol, leaded, unleaded it has never varied by more than 1 or 2 MPG over a month or so. I used it for 9 years and can't wait to get it back on the road.

I have to keep accurate records 'cos I use it for my business.

Tell me what diff/tyre sizes you are using.

Your figures seem to indicate about 10MPG - something is bad.

Check for fuel leaks, float sticking etc. Give it a good going over and check everything - you must be able to do beteer than that.

[mal666]

im running on 205/85/14 tyres!! ive been down the fuel lines and didnt find anything but then i didnt expect to as they was all replaced a little over a year ago!! ive had the tank off to check and cant see anything wrong!! it just get more and more thirsty!!
i think its got to be the engine getting tired! it wasnt used in about 6years and then ive used it daily since!! but i'd like to know what wrong with it before i go out and buy another engine!!
well cheers for your imput, i really dont want to have to sell the old girl!!

Mal

[IanA]

That is thirsty !!!
Have you checked the carb yet??? If the float isn't floating, or if it's set too high, the mixture will be super rich. The plugs and tailpipe will be sooty as well.

Does it start from cold without using the choke??? That's a sure sign of carb problems.

Good luck
Ian

[mal666]

it has always started from cold without the choke!! it just has trouble starting wen hot sometimes!! maybe id better check the carb then!! no signs of blackness around the tailpipe though!!

Mal

[drseg]

gotta be carb - get a sierra one off a 1.6 that'd do it or you could try making sure its a 1.6 carb mine never gets below 25 and thats auto when was it last serviced?

[mal666]

its had an oil change since ive had it but i dont suppose its had a service it was taken off the road in 1996/7!!! yeah ok now that i sit and think about it im an idiot and im terribly sorry for wasting your time!! you've probably noticed the times that my posts have been put on, im workin really strange hours at the mo and my mind isnt working propperly!! well cheers guys!! think im guna get a new carb and get it serviced!!

Mal

[techsec]

Hi mal666

I am sure no one feels any question put on this forum is a waste of anyones time. We can only sort things out by asking questions of others.

The main thing is you have got a few ideas of things to try such as a full service and a new/decent carb. On average most Jago's due to their (lack of) aerodynamics average around 25 mpg.

Hopefully you can get your mpg around the sort of area soon.

Cheers.

[dave the steam]

Forgot to say I've got an ICH34 carb (Single choke but still fast enough for me)

If you want a new carb or service kit try Burlen Fuel Systems of Salisbury 01722 412500

I got a complete brand new carb for about £130 a few years ago.

Don't worry about asking questions - we all learn this way.

[drseg]

i agree talkin bout motor probs helps bounce you in [hopefully] the right direction to sort it out its very easy to miss obvious things [i have loads of times] might be a good idea to look at the plug deposits as starting without choke would indicate rich running so they'll prolly be very black while theyre out might as well fit a new set gapped etc points? has it got some? 3000 miles usually knackers them less if theres no balast resistor [capri ones were nearly always disconnected as they buggered up easy] what sort of air filter is on it? a clogged one will act as if choke is on all the time. i'd still look at numbers on carb though as people seem to think a bigger carb off a bigger engine is better - when it isnt. the right carb will run better unless its a 28/36 webber jetted correctly or jap replacements ich i seem to remember or nikki twinchokes were popular even sold in some unlikely places like argos for awhile - check everythin it was put together by someone who knows how knowledgeable they were??

[techsec]

As Dave says you need to make sure the carb matches the motor as it is no good having a carb jetted for a 5 litre and strapping it on a 1300cc.
Panther recently started to use slightly more fuel and straight away I went and got a fresh air cleaner element.
On opening up the case my hunch was right 50% of the filter was past its best regards efficiency. New element fitted and a notable difference in smoothness etc.
The new filter materials used these days do not always need to look mucky (like the old filters used to) to be clogged.
Will be stocking some spare filter elements for Panther so not to be caught out at some point.

As already mentioned the spark plugs are a good indicator on how the engine is running. You are looking for a nice light fawn colour.