Hey Annie, you should be able to get 240 miles out of a tank without running
out.

I've done 283 but usually try to keep it to 260-270 max

On Tue, May 4, 2010 at 1:51 PM, Annie <lsandrsn@gmail.com> wrote:

> James & All,
>
> It's an 85 non-camper, 7 passenger van, with I believe, the stock 1.9
> engine. I don't know about normal, I just know I've been getting about 21
> mpg. My uncle is a good mechanic - he keeps our vehicles running well
> enough
> that we often do get better than average fuel efficiency. ;-)
>
> Basically over the past few months, he's gone through everything on the van
> piece by piece and it is running is great. He's replaced all belts, hoses,
> completely redone the exhaust system entirely and did a complete
> transmission service (automatic), tune-up, oil change and all of that stuff
> too.
>
> Maybe the gauge is bad. That was my first thought. It's just about the top
> of the red line now so I'll let it go as close to the bottom of that red
> area as I dare and see what happens. I'll put the gas can in there with a
> gallon or two and hope it doesn't really need it.
>
> Rob's right too - it could just be that I'm nervous about it getting down
> there too low. ;-) With little kids often in the car with me, running out
> of
> gas is not on my list of things to do.
>
> And because James asked - here's a picture of the gas filler opening for
> you
> all to check out . . .
>
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/silverlunace/4579549684/
>
> The locking gas cap simply won't stay on. It doesn't fit tight and just
> comes right off with a little movement.
>
> Thanks!
>
> ~Annie
>
> On Tue, May 4, 2010 at 12:44 PM, James V <chimivee@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > On Tue, May 4, 2010 at 12:08 PM, Annie <lsandrsn@gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > > By my calculations for a standard Vanagon gas tank of 15.9 gallons, at
> > about
> > > 21 mpg, I should be getting about 315 miles per tank. Does that sound
> > > correct?
> >
> > A stock 2WD 2.1L is normally in the 17-19 MPG range. 21 is
> > exceptional. I routinely filled up my 2WD westy at ~250 miles / ~top
> > of the red / ~14-14.5 gallons / ~17.5 MPG.
> >
> > As has been mentioned, your gauge may be faulty. The sure way to know,
> > is to carry some spare fuel in a gas can and drive until you run out
> > of gas (caution!)... OK, perhaps a better, more conservative approach
> > - just see if it will hit ~250-ish miles.
> >
> > My Syncro is dry when the gauge is at the top of the red, so I use the
> > odometer to judge when to fill.
> >
> > What was the problem with the stock / Van-Cafe locking gas cap? Snap a
> > pic of the filler opening without the cap for us to see.
> >
> > James V
> > 86 Syncro Westy, etc.
> >
>

--
Jake

1984 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX 'The Grey Van'
1986 Westy Weekender/2.5 SOHC Suby 'Dixie'

Crescent Beach, BC

www.thebassspa.com
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27