Fuel economy... what's yours?

[Jungle Jon]

Since fuel economy seems to be a common question and complaint with these vehicles, I pose the question: What are you getting for fuel economy? (or rather, lack of fuel economy )

Here's some numbers I've been using to calculate mine:

Litres to fill tank x 100, divide by Km you drove on that tank gives you L/100km
Take 235.215, divide by your L/100km number to get US MPG
Take 282.481, divide by your L/100km number to get Imp MPG

I've been getting 12.84 L/100km, 18.5 US MPG, and 22.2 Imp MPG on average since last January, mostly city driving.

If you can think of any factors that you think may influence your mileage, like weather, city/highway, tire size, mechanical issues, etc. include that info to see if any patterns develop.

I've been tracking my mileage by entering my trip odometer reading and info from my reciept into an Excel spreadsheet that does all the totals and averages. I'd be happy to share the spreadsheet, PM me your email if interested.

I also am wondering if there is some kind of common standard when referring to MPG; is US MPG or Imperial MPG used? I never know which one is being referred to. Anyone know the answer to this?

Cheers,
Jon

[maxpowers]

10.12L/100kms
mostly highway.
good for heavy brick van, notsogood compare to mini kei cars :D

damn decent though. and aleast you get to cruise around in mad style.
with huge bumpers and a badass looking van.

[mitch]

Heres a question with mileage...

What rmp are you running at say 100km hr ? I have a 5 spd and it seems under geared.. Im at like 3200rpm at 100km an hr. I have 30" tires.

Whats a cruising speed in an auto? RPM? anyone changed gearing in the diff to fix this? I can get going in second.. Who needs 1st?

Anyone done EGR mod.. cold air intake, boost turbo, bigger exhust?? if so how does it effect your mileage?

I get about 400km to a tank.. Stock

Mitch

[docsavage]

In the 15,000 km since buying, I've averaged 26 mpg. I drive predominately highway. I have a 30 km commute to town when I go in so it gets warmed up right. Wind has a huge effect on these vans due to there smooth aerodynamics - I noticed a significant decline in mileage when I went to Red Deer due to the prairie winds in my face.

Mitch:

In my auto, 100 km = 2600-2750 rpm and I have 28.5 inch tires - too small :lol:

I am putting in the EGR blanking plate this weekend along with the block heater and the alternator conversion. Will post pics and parts used.

[biozach]

Just picked up my '91 Delica crystal roof a few weeks ago. Filled up with B40 and have been having a great time around town. Just filled up today though and calculated my mileage. Figuring around 16L/100k. Ouch! This is on fairly short drives and some 4WD with the last snowfall. Any suggestions on improvement? Thanks to Mitch for tuning me in to this site. Hope to hear back. Thanks

The Big Sipper

[lost1]

13.63 L/100 klms
20 mpg (imperial) All Highway

huge roofrack
29 inch BF Goodrich Land Terrain tires
Turbo boosted to 15 PSI
EGR Blanking Plate
AND AN INVISIBLE TRAILER FULL OF BRICKS!!!!! Man this thing gets poor mileage, oh well at least I run it on used veggie oil sometimes.

We have heavy winds here all the time and they always seem to be against me

Havent calculated the mileage with the veggie oil system, but I am sure it won't be much better...

[mitch]

Lost 1...

how did you boost the turbo? did you do any exhust/ intake mods? pyrometer?

Cost?

Mitch

[lost1]

search the mdcuk (mitsu Delica club uk) website and somewhere there is info on how to do it with pictures.
Basically you splice an air pressure (dial) gauge (I found one for a swimming pool pump at Rona for $5.00). Make sure that it is less than 50psi so that you can read the guage easily (ie your turbo operating range will be less than 15psi so a 100psi gauge won't really show up well on the dial).
Take off the plastic lens of the guage and remove the stopper pin with small pliers.

Buy yourself enough small plastic hose (6 feet?)to reach from the turbo to wherever you want to locate the gauge in the cab. You will also need a 3 way joint to splice in your hose.

Located on the turbo itself is an adjuster nut that will allow you to increase or decrease the pressure of the turbo. 15 psi should be max at max load (ie climbing a long steep hill with your foot to the mat)

Here is the quote from the website but it unfortunately I can't upload the pictures (ignore the part about putting washers on the actuater plate mounting, that is for the L400):

you can get up to 50% more boost for pence! but i would fit a boost gauge first so you can see what boost you are getting.it should be 10 psi. to plum in the gauge is easy first find some were to mount the gauge (mine is in the pod next to the compass)there are 3 wires + - and lights and a vacuum pipe that needs to go to the pipe from the actuator next you need to adjust the actuator it's in front of the turbo next to the inter cooler pipe it's held on by two bolts take them out .you now need to pack the actuator mounting plate i used washers for this , a gap of 3 mm (3 washers) gave me an extra 2 psi (20 % ) you put the washers behind the plate and put the two bolts back in more washers more boost .now a chap i work with ran his paj at 15 psi for 5 years with no problems . you don't have to mess with the pump it adjusts it's self to the boost setting .at the moment i'm running at 2 psi extra until i change my cam chain .with the extra 2 psi the truck is smoother and pulls up hills a lot better and it's got more zip mpg is about the same also the turbo comes in a little sooner so you don't have to floor it all the time you never know it mite save fuel Keith _________________more boost is good

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chiefie Joined: 25 May 2004Posts: 1608Location: fleetwood lancashire Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2005 21:27 Post subject:

you do have to be careful doing this, the engine is designed to run at less than 1 bar of pressure max. overdoing it will cause intake or gasket problems at best and at worst kill your engine it is a common mod and can cause the over boost valve to blow off even if adjusted slightly, if the spring has gne weak. just so you know, there can be draw backs _________________RIK starwagon, 1991,that climbs mountains!! these are my personal views, and are followed at your own risk

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sock Joined: 16 Aug 2005Posts: 131Location: bearwood west midlands Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2005 22:09 Post subject:

thanks for that rik thats why i only went for the 2 psi boost so far it's been fine . and that little bit extra makes it drive better 1 bar =14.5 psi so i'm well under that top limit like everything there is risk. Keith _________________more boost is good

[Mystery Machine]

I'm getting around 18mpg in mine which in the Uk is SHOCKING!!!

We don't have any of the big yank tanks over here and 35/40mpg is about the average for most cars!

I guess mine is so low because I'm running 33" tyres (tires! ) with very aggressive tread as well as a whole host of weight increasing/drag inducing accessories :lol:

Most L300's should get between 22 and 26 mpg.

Regards,

Bruce.

[mark]

Bruce -- I'm assuming that your consumption figures are expressed in terms of UK gallons?

In Canada, we generally refer to US gallons (nothing to do with favoritism, but rather due to geographic proximity).

1 US Gallon =3.785 Litres
1 UK Gallon = 4.545 Litres

Assuming my math is correct, a consumption rate of 22.0-26.0 mpg(UK) is equal to 18.3-21.7 mpg (US). As a former L300 owner (and hopefully new owner in the months to come), this range concurs with my own experience.
:)

[Mystery Machine]

Aha.....trans-continental variations seem to go beyond 'tyres'/'tires' and 'colour'/'color'! :D :D

You are indeed correct - 1 UK gallon is 4.545 litres....but looking at your figures, this means my motor is returning somewhere around 14/15mpg in US gallons!

Now where did I put that V8!

Regards,

Bruce.

[Corwyn]

Considering the fact that I'm getting about 7-8/mpg in my dodge these figures still sound pretty good. What do you think a 400 lb tool box will do to those figures?

[jessef]

What do you think a 400 lb tool box will do to those figures?

Nothing

[tandrew*2009]

I just imported a 94 space gear 4x4 2.8 TD. Changed the fuel filter and air cleaner. Just ran it 500 km highway. Looks like just over 400 k on 60 L at about -5C. Hoped for better

[tonydca]

Winter diesel has lower energy density than summer blend, so mileage suffers, but two-stroke oil seems to help:

http://www.delica.ca/forum/i-need-your- ... 12046.html

Also, there are lots of threads about what to do to these vehicles if you import it yourself, but try cleaning your injectors. Take it to CVI for a pro job, or try a Seafoam treatment yourself:

http://www.delica.ca/forum/seafoam-discussion-9722.html