Fuel Consumption Rising

[Springy]

Hi All,

It's been a while since my last confession.

Almost exactly 30,000 miles ago I had the engine on my 2.2 D4-D TR rebuilt/replaced under the 70k warranty because of the egr valve issue that cokes up these engines. (This forum saved my life that time!) I took it in at that time because the vsc, ecu and one other light came on (can't remember which one), and the fuel consumption went from 35mpg to 26mpg (I do mostly town driving).

The mileage at the time of the replacement was 45k, I am now on 75k.

Worryingly, my cosumption is beginning to increase again, it was at 35 and is now around the 32 mark. Is it likely that the egr valve is clogging again? Would it be worth me taking it into a garage to have the valve checked?

I am not a mechanic, but I know how to handle a socket set. I think I have located the egr valve, it's at the front left of the engine, would it be an easy job for me to remove and check it over / clean it? Any pitfalls, such as having to reset computers etc? Or should I leave in the hands of a garage?

Many thanks,

Neil.

[Heidfirst]

Could it just be the colder weather? That typically drops the fuel consumption on my 2.2s by ~3mpg.

I've got to say though that my average is more like 42mpg, you must do a lot of urban or short journeys?

[Springy]

Thanks Heidfirst, yes, I mainly do urban driving. On the motorway I can get 50+ mpg.

Because it was cheap, I've bought one of those diagnostic plugs that bluetooths to my smart phone. I haven't used it yet though! I think now would be a good time to try it out, see if it shows me anything.

Point taken re the cold, although I can't say I've noticed it before.

[Heidfirst]

Try running on premium diesel for a few tanks - they have more detergents.

You could also try the likes of BG244 or Archoil 6400-D.

[Springy]

OK, I'll look into those additives. Thanks for replying.

[RK123456]

Recently, I noticed my fuel consumption increasing on my Avensis 2 litre diesel 2013 tourer with 51k miles. This was after the Christmas and New Year break when I had only been doing short runs. Even on a long run, my fuel consumption had dropped fron the usual 55mpg to 50mpg, part was attributable to the cold but I guessed the engine needed working hard. The car is so highly geared that it is possible to drive all day, even at motorway speeds and not exceed 2,000rpm. I always put supermarket fuel, Tesco or Morrisons in and have never used branded fuel. I decided to give the car an Italian tune up, I was on a long run one day, I waited until the engine was nice and hot after driving for about 70 miles and on the motorway dropped it to 3rd gear and held it in 3rd gear at 3,500 rpm at 70mph for a couple of miles. After that, I returned to 6th gear and I could see the mpg increasing on the dashboard display. I monitor my fuel consumption by recording all the fuel I put in at every fill up, that way, it is easy to spot if there is a problem with the car.

[Springy]

RK, I had considered the Italian tune-up, I've been told about these before, but I must admit I am, shall we say, nervous about doing them. I start to think about all those pistons, valves, chains etc screaming around at high revs and sit there waiting for something to go BANG! I'll pluck up the courage tomorrow and give it some welly on a dual carriageway.

[Springy]

So, peeps, stay away from the A4232, Cardiff Bay, tomorrow morning.

[RK123456]

Italian tune ups should bo ok as long as you have warmed the engine up thoroughly first. I don't mean 5 miles but go on a long run, you don't have to drive at high speed way over the speed limit, just drop it into 3rd gear and hold it there at high revs for a mile or two.