My mileage dropped badly after my recent head job.  Heads replaced, new o2
sensor.  Idles rough but once I get up to speed and warmed up it's ok.  87
Syncro so mileage was crappy anyway, but now 15 or below.  I don't work or
live anywhere near the garage that did the work anymore, but I wonder if I
should call them?  They'll probably just say bring it back, which presents
logistical problems.

Donna, 87 Syncro

On Thu, Feb 26, 2009 at 8:47 PM, pdooley <psdooley@verizon.net> wrote:

> You should check for other causes like dragging brakes, failing wheel
> bearing, low tire pressure, etc...
>
> I guess the actual MPG measuring accuracy is pretty important too.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Keith Ovregaard
> Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2009 2:00 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>  Subject: Reduced Mileage
>
> Here's a question for the sage Vanagon mechanical volks out there:
>
> Anyone experience lower mileage after installing a new 87 degree
> (stock) thermostat? The average hwy MPG over the same 1300 mile trip
> went from 18.5 down to less than 16 since the new thermo was
> installed. The engine is running great and just passed smog with
> flying colors (with the new thermo). The temp gauge reads just above
> the LED with the new thermo (the old 80 degree thermo (lower than
> stock, but seems to be a common choice here in CA) ran just below the
> LED before it failed). The engine heats up really fast and the heater
> works much better (hotter & quicker). I would have thought these
> conditions would bode well for better mpg and a cleaner burning
> engine, but now I am skeptical. Does a hotter-running engine use more
> gas or could there be another cause that happened at the same time?
>
> Thanks in advance...
>
> Keith
> 90 Syncro westy VikingWagen
>

--
Donna