L400 15L / 100km!!

[Airgonzo]

I'm a new Delica owner. Recently purchased an L400 and have only put a few tanks of fuel in it. I've been monitoring Fuel consumption and every tank seems to be in the 14-15L/100km range. This seems high based on what I've read on this forum but it has been almost all city driving with the exception of one camping trip, in which case we had the van loaded down with lots of weight and drove a lot of dirt road 4x4 kms.

I know there have been other postings on this site on this topic but the general consensus seems to be that 11-12L/100km is normal. Is this highway mileage? Should I be concerned and look into cause or wait till I get a chance to put more highway miles on it?

Otherwise van seems to run fine. Have EGR blacking plate on it.

Any input appreciated.

Thanks,

Kevin.

[jessef]

search and read :

http://www.delica.ca/forum/l400-fuel-co ... 10174.html

[Airgonzo]

That's the thread that I've read but it doesn't seem to indicate whether the fuel consumptions mentioned are for city, highway or a combination/average of the two. I also haven't seen mention of consumption consistently as high as 15L/100 km, especially in summer. That's why I was wondering if I should look for a cause, or is this normal?

[jessef]

I can run down the list of culprits for lower fuel economy :

clogged fuel filter (replace)
clogged air filter (replace)
clogged oil filter (replace oil filter and oil)
injection pump seal (replace main seal)
injectors clogged (remove and re&re)
overheated/seized calipers/wheelbearings (inspect and replace as needed)
under inflated / over inflated tires
old oil in front/rear differentials
dried out CV joints

These are all things that 'may' affect fuel economy/performance,etc...

The main one's are the fuel system (filter/IP/injectors) and air (air filter) and tires.

The most important factor of them all is your right foot on the gas pedal. That dictates anywhere from 11-18L/100Km's.

On the norm, I averaged around 13L/100km in the city and at times 14-15L/100km if I drove with a heavier foot.

[Airgonzo]

Thanks, Jesse,

that's a good reference list to have. I think I can eliminate most of those nefarious possibilities as the van had full CVI tune-up right before I bought it just over a month ago, so filters and fluids are all new. I'm pretty sure seller replaced IP seal and injectors but I will double-check that.

I'm going to have it on a hoist soon - putting new Ironman springs in the back - so I should be able to check calipers and bearings.

I'll keep monitoring consumption and see if the trend continues.

Generally I'm not a heavy-footed driver and the last couple tanks in particular I was trying to go easy on the pedal.

thanks again for the info.

kevin

[Airgonzo]

Thanks, Jesse,

that's a good reference list to have. I think I can eliminate most of those nefarious possibilities as the van had full CVI tune-up right before I bought it just over a month ago, so filters and fluids are all new. I'm pretty sure seller replaced IP seal and injectors but I will double-check that.

I'm going to have it on a hoist soon - putting new Ironman springs in the back - so I should be able to check calipers and bearings.

I'll keep monitoring consumption and see if the trend continues.

Generally I'm not a heavy-footed driver and the last couple tanks in particular I was trying to go easy on the pedal.

thanks again for the info.

kevin

[Delicashop.com]

A couple of things that were missed in the "checklist" was the inlet manifold often is choked full of exhaust soot.

Kills power and economy.

Plan ahead though as there are two types of gaskets required x 4 in the series 1s and you will need to acid bath the manifold to ensure tis nice and clean. Chassis number is the only way to pre - determine this change in part number and shape of the gasket.

Like wise so can a faulty or incorrectly set TPS on top of the fuel pump in the series 1s. 4/94-4/97 models.

I often was running 10-11's but 12-13's is more common depending on driving. Weight in a diesel L400 really doesn't affect them but roof baskets and racks certainly does at speed. I ran a foam filter not a paper or K&N and found better results consistently as well.

Optium driving speed is 100kh/hr for economy as well after 500000kms in a range of the diesel Spacegears.

Mind you got 7's using diesel/injected gas but they overheat the motors and not worth the cost or risk.

[Profister]

This is a really good point. The only correction is that the inlet manifold cannot be chocked full of exhaust soot because there is no connection between two. In fact it is chocked full of the vent gases, more specifically oil mist going through the turbo and the intercooler. The oil catch can I installed does the job to prevent this from happening. I gave the intercooler and the intake manifold a good bath, installed a K&N Apollo air box, 2'5" side exhaust and stainless steel intercooler pipes to get 10-11 L/100 km fuel consumption. 15 L looks too high to me.
Oops, forgot about EGR because I do not have one; everything else is true though.