Trawl For MPG

[Jon S]

Hi, I know that it's been done to death, and I really do apologise to those that are sick of hearing it, but lets talk MPG again. I have had my vehicle now for about 2 months. And have had really bad economy all the way. I need to know whether it is normal or whether I should be having injectors/pump/timing looked at.

My vehicle is a 2.4TD Surf, with the 2LTE Engine, an SSR-G. It's also an automatic.

My fill ups so far have been:

17MPG - Medium & Short runs
19MPG - Short runs
16MPG - Short runs
20MPG - Long run with Millers power plus stuff added
15MPG - Short runs

Does this sound right? can anyone else with the same vehicle give me as close to a direct comparison as possible please.

I had a K&N Filter kit on there that I was convinced was causing the problem. Now that it's gone (back to stock), I am on 275 Km, at just over the 1/4 mark on the gauge. Still seems to be the same.

Thanks,

Jon.

[Maverick]

I'm sad, since I bought the girl in July last year, I have recorded the fuel usage on every fill up. Saturday night at work was really quite so I converted it into an excel file on my laptop. The result is a working average of 21mpg, the lowest being 16mpg, and the highest being 22.7mpg.

The 16mpg was when I'd just purchased her so I took it to my garage who informed me that the fuel filter had not been changed and the ECR was working. They replaced the fuel filter and filled it with fuel cleaner, and disabled the ECR. Since then she nearly always returns about 20-22mpg no matter what I'm doing (offroad, towing, etc) unless I take her above 80mph in which case you can practically watch the fuel gauge drop.

Your mpg does appear a bit low at the moment so I'd check to see if you've still got the Japanese fuel filter, and keep using the milners every other fill up for a while. Although I do find that the tank with milners mixed returns a lower mpg, it's the next tank that improves.

[stara]

it does seem low, i get 22mpg average overall (auto), it can go as low as 20 and as high as 26 with gentle (60mph) motorway driving, an auto will be 2-5mpg worse than a manual,

it has been done before, and it seemed some people were experiencing a lack of overdrive, this could cause poor mpg, as will low tyre pressures, aircon on permanantly, roof racks left on, heavy weight on board, driving with windows open, or any combination of these.

at 3000rpm, i am doing roughly 75mph ish, although i'll check it more thouroghly when i'm driving next.

[TonyN]

That sucks. They are worse figures than my ex-wife's V6 petrol 4Runner.

are you sure the motor is running OK, If everything seems sound I'd get the injectors cleaned/serviced and if still no good get pump serviced.

Or your trying to drive it like a sports car!

[marky]

Its a known fact that all new SURF owners just fill up & go for a spin. Any excuse to go out. Thats why we sometimes visit the garage a bit more often.

[Jon S]

Thanks to all that replied, that really does help.

I think that I will keep the Millers power plus going, change the fuel (and air filter) and take it from there.

Thanks,

Jon.

[marky]

Just watch your speed, its easy to start racing pajeros etc The SURF is fun to drive fast or slow so just find a nice stretch of road/motorway & take your time. a steady 56mph may give you better fuel consumption.

[Jon S]

I am trying ever harder to watch my speed these days. Trouble is I only live about 5 miles from work, and I go home for lunch so every day consists of 4 short trips.

Just reading through the replies again, Maverick posted something about ECR. What is it and why should I disable it? I checked the fuel and air filter last night and the air filter definately seems a bit blocked up (and rusty), and the fuel filter is covered with all sorts of Japanese characters. Perhaps they should be replaced sharpish.

Some people mentioned Milners as a source of good quality cheep parts, does anyone have a contact website/telephone number?

Thanks again,

Jon.

[Guest]

I am trying ever harder to watch my speed these days. Trouble is I only live about 5 miles from work, and I go home for lunch so every day consists of 4 short trips.

Just reading through the replies again, Maverick posted something about ECR. What is it and why should I disable it? I checked the fuel and air filter last night and the air filter definately seems a bit blocked up (and rusty), and the fuel filter is covered with all sorts of Japanese characters. Perhaps they should be replaced sharpish.

Some people mentioned Milners as a source of good quality cheep parts, does anyone have a contact website/telephone number?

Thanks again,

Jon.

Jon.

Milners are at www.milneroffroad.co.uk they do a full filter kit for £12 I think it was last time I had one.

Search for EGR on here, you will find loads about disabling the EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) valve.

Also if all you journey's are short and not high speed, run the Surf with the O/D off, it helps the engine stay up in the rev range which will give a bit better economy than always labouring the engine.

That said, the economy on mine is apalling however I know that I need a new set of injectors.

Cheers

[Jon S]

Thanks, Lucky - Just bought the full filter kit from Milners for £22.33 including VAT and carriage. Everyone here in the office thinks that is a shockingly good price. I have to admit, I was quoted £20 for the fuel filter alone from a local garage.

When I change the oil & filter, what is the best oil to go for? I have seen a table somewhere that shows different oils for driving conditions. It says 10W30 on the engine - I guess that's a good bet.

When I change the oil & filter, do I need any other gaskets/seals/parts, or is it literally just oil..and filter?

Thanks,

Jon.

[Guest]

Thanks, Lucky - Just bought the full filter kit from Milners for £22.33 including VAT and carriage. Everyone here in the office thinks that is a shockingly good price. I have to admit, I was quoted £20 for the fuel filter alone from a local garage.

When I change the oil & filter, what is the best oil to go for? I have seen a table somewhere that shows different oils for driving conditions. It says 10W30 on the engine - I guess that's a good bet.

When I change the oil & filter, do I need any other gaskets/seals/parts, or is it literally just oil..and filter?

Thanks,

Jon.

Jon.

Go for a good diesel turbo oil. I use Castrol GTXD. More money spent on good oil will save you money in the long run. I always use an extra additive (Wynns) as well as a belt and braces approach. Diesels coke up the oil more than petrol engines which is why the oil change periods are shorter.

Yep all you need is the oil and filter. Remeber also that the oil filter is removed through a plate removed under the drivers side front wheel arch. You can't get it out otherwise on the 2.4.

Cheers

[Jon S]

Ah, thanks for that. Must admit I was puzzled as to how I was going to get it out. Righty ho then, a weekend of maintenance. All filters, Oil, grease my nipples and have a look at the stereo connection lead.

As your truck is roughly the same as mine, do you know if the stereo connector description in this file:

http://www.installdoctor.com/Harness...ota-Wiring.pdf

matches what I would expect to find when I take the stereo out. My stereo only works on the front left speaker at the moment.

Thanks,

Jon.

[Guest]

Ah, thanks for that. Must admit I was puzzled as to how I was going to get it out. Righty ho then, a weekend of maintenance. All filters, Oil, grease my nipples and have a look at the stereo connection lead.

As your truck is roughly the same as mine, do you know if the stereo connector description in this file:

http://www.installdoctor.com/Harness...ota-Wiring.pdf

matches what I would expect to find when I take the stereo out. My stereo only works on the front left speaker at the moment.

Thanks,

Jon.

Jon.

That is about right except for the color codes for the electric aerial.

The wiring for the speakers is correct as that is the same document I used for mine.

Cheers

[Jon S]

Excellent. Thanks again for your help.

Jon.

[stimpy30]

mpg

hi sometimes drive mental or good so i,ll give good results i do a lot of miles and keep records etc so normal commuting bit of motorway and normal roads approx 22-25 mpg motorway good run 28mpg at about68mph p.s i always turn o/d off on roads that dont require it seems to help stops the engine labouring also keeping out the turbo range helps p.s i also use bp low sulphur fuel seems to like it(hope this helps)