Along with all other MECHANICAL suggestions, I would strongly urge a
bottle of Chevron Techron Fuel Injector cleaner. When I haven't cleaned
my injectors in a while my mileage drops to 16-18 from 20-21.

From bucolic Mount Olive, NC,
G. Matthew Bulley

WAR-- A real threat to US Citizens?
Blood for oil?
Or an elaborate sideshow to distract attention from more pressing
national problems the Administration can't seem to solve?

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
Of Michael S. Nichols
Sent: Wednesday, February 26, 2003 9:15 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: '81 Has 13 MPG--last mo. 18 MPG???

Hello from Atlanta, GA.  For 2+ years my rebuilt air cooled has gotten
18 MPG.  We do all our own maintenance per Bentley.  In 11/02 passed
emissions.  However, in last month mileage has dropped to 13 MPG.  I
have perfect timing and dwell, Idle RPM increased to 1100 when mileage
went down in 1/03.  I adjusted idle to specs---875 RPM.  I am running
original injectors, newer thermo time switch and  cold start valve.  I
also notice a very slight jerky acceleration, together with equal black
soot (not oily) deposit on all four of my spark plugs and my tail pipe.
The van does start first time every time and runs OK as my daily driver.

Suggestions on where to start?  New injectors, new/rebuilt
airbox......???  Thanks!

Regards,

Mike and Christina Nichols
2--'81's