Irregular mileage

[g_man1972]

Hey all,

Either I am going crazy or I just don't know how to drive my Deli correctly. I have had it for almost 3 months and the KM's I get out of a tank before it reaches the E has gone like thus, first tank 350, 2nd 370, 3rd 390, 4th 410, 5th (current) around 340 by the time it gets there. I was liking the trend till the current one, 95% of my driving is too and fro work, with a few side trips to grocery stores ect, but not much of a varient and all city driving. How is it possible to get such a difference between fill ups? I was puting the increasing MPG down to maybe the engine is getting more efficient and cleaning out gunk after sitting for months in transit and car lots, but really, a range of 70 kms a tank? I know there is still lots more gas in the tank, but I always fill it up when the needle just starts resting on the bottom of the E, and see that the amount I put in is usually within a few litres of the previous fill. Weird huh? Also what do you find is the best way to "get going" at first I was slowly pressing down on the gas but noticed lots of smoke when the turbo kicked in, so now I kind of stomp on it and that seems to work better, being new to diesel engines is this the norm?

Thanks as usual for your valuable info!
Cheers Gary

[Green1]

well it sounds like you're not going to a full tank each time, meaning it's hard to be sure on your measurements, how many litres each time? have you calculated your actual milleage?
also 70km different per tank isn't all that relevant, that difference is easilly explained by road conditions, traffic, wheight of your right foot....

[g_man1972]

I don't think so, I'm always sure that it's at the top when I am doing it. And I drive the same way, at the same time each day so not much difference in traffic and the driving time is almost the same each time as well, give or take a few minutes. As far as heavy right foot, I keep that pretty much the same as well. Thats why I am curious. But if you think a 70 km tank difference is normal with the above conditions maybe I shouldn't worry about it, just a curious bugger

[Green1]

you say you're always filling to the top, but you don't say how many litres it is each time.

I range in efficiency from 9.7 L/100km up to 11.8 L/100km
you'd have to do some calculations to see how much of a difference things actually are in your van, but I don't see any reason to worry from the limited information you've posted so far.

here's my last bunch of tanks in L/100km:
10.8 - 11.1 - 11.4 - 11.8 - 11.7 - 9.7 - 10.2 - 11.5 - 9.8 - 11.0 - 11.8 - 10.9

[docsavage]

Not sure where you are, but they change the diesel in the winter (especially here in the north) to one that has more additives to prevent gelling and as a result the fuel does not burn as efficiently. Could explain the sudden change, if the station switched to winter diesel. I certainly notice the mileage change with the fuel change.

James

[EnviroImports.com]

you shouldent be getting the same amount out of any tank, as you dont have a digital fuel guage so Im HOPING your not running your van down the the sediment in the bottom of your tank, as if you are your getting ALOT of condinsation in your fuel every day and your allready growing bacteria that WILL take your fuel system out .

SO, keep your fuel recipts ALL of them, on the back of the recipt or the top, write down how many kms . and after about 4 or so , average them out, that about the only real way to know what your getting .
Please start using Diesel Fuel lubricant and biocide in your fuel. it is important and probably the most over looked part of owning a diesel

[jrman]

I'm also experiencing erratic fuel consumption - but have isolated it to highway v.s. city driving mainly I believe. I fill at about 55-56L each time and have had range of 410-500 on this basis. I'm happy with the highway mileage in fact - cruising at 90-110 range seems comfortable and fuel burn is lowest - bigger difference than I expected actually.

Actually ran my tank down to the point where the empty tank reminder light came on - and filled at 60.135L....ironically, it was the lowest tank mileage yet - at 410km, but was buggering around in 4x4 mode with the snow so sure that had an effect as well.

As for lubricant - totally agree. The ULSD has been documented and have heard of some horror stories on vehicles not designed for this fuel formulation (ie, older vehicles like ours). I probably go overkill and run 200 ml of Howes diesel treat per tank (some lubricity, but more for moisture removal, anti gelling, injector cleaning) and 3-4 Oz per tank of NON-SYNTHETIC 2 stroke oil for lubricity and also reduces engine vibration noticeably on my beast.

The Howes comes in big jugs (I get mine at Skunky's in Burnaby - best price I could find). They don't have any way to meter the amounts out - so purchased a Canadian Tire diesel treatment with the perfect 200ml reservoir that I keep refilling from the big Howes jugs.

Good luck!